Universal Music UK will change its corporate structure from 1 October.
Louis Bloom will serve as the newly appointed Chairman Island EMI Label Group; Bloom will take over this role from his current position as president. british island records.
this Island EMI Label Group Chairman/CEO of Universal Music UK, one of two “powerful A-list labels” to be formed, david josephannounced in an internal memo today (July 9).
the other one will be Polydor Label Groupled by Ben Mortimer as president.
Polydor Label Group Will house A&R-led brands including Capitol (UK), led by Joe Charrington As Chairman, plus 0207 Def Jam, led by Chairman Alec Boateng.
Elsewhere in newly formed Universal Music UK (UMUK):
- Laura Monks and Tom Lewis will continue to lead Deca As an independent label, it focuses on classical, jazz, instrumental, folk, soul and electronic music;
- Hannah Nievesas recently announced, will be the sole president UMR – the dedicated catalog division of Universal Music UK;
- Nikki Owen Will continue to lead UMUK’s international strategy, Joseph noted now “sitting in”[s] This is at the core of our brand and every conversation is designed to reach a global audience and community.”
- Alex BoatengThe former co-president of 0207 Def Jam has accepted an international role at Universal Music UK, it is understood.
Joe Charrington’s Former Joint Managing Director, EMI, Rebecca Allenwill now lead the new division of Universal Music UK: Audience and Media Division (AMD)which will support all of the company’s labels.
UMUK boss wrote in staff memo today david joseph On the new AMD division: “Becky [Allen] I spent a lot of time discussing this vision to create something revolutionary – an industry first where every type of media could be seamlessly integrated. We are building an elite team to make it our largest department.
this Audience and Media Department Will accommodate:
- UMUK’s media is run by the award-winning susie walby;
- Audience and digital strategy Led by Kate Wyn Jonesan award-winning digital strategist;
- The Square Insights team, focused on big data, human insights, strategy and creativity, is led by Jack Flair.
Joseph Adding that AMD will “revolutionize the way we serve artists and become a new center of excellence” Universal Music UK with an award-winning team of partners Earth and a new one E-commerce and CRM combined team”.
Combination of two frontline tag groups Universal Music UK reflects a similar structure universal music In the United States, since the beginning of the year, East Coast-based Legion of the Republic (led by Monte Lipman) and West Coast Interscope Capitol Label Group (ICLG).
Like the US restructuring, the UK restructuring will result in an unconfirmed number of job losses. common.
david joseph “These changes mark an exciting new chapter for our company and I believe they will position us for even greater success,” he confirmed in today’s memo.
“While the vast majority of our team will continue to be part of our business going forward, certain roles will be affected by the proposed structural changes. It saddens me that we will have to work with some of the people who have played a part in our journey Incredible colleagues who played an important role parted ways.
However, Joseph Be positive about what these changes mean for the future generic British record labels and their artists.
“As a company, we must continue to be forward-thinking, innovative and bold,” he said. “Developing artists now requires more creativity and patience than ever before.”
Add to Joseph: “Thank you for your understanding and continued dedication as we move toward this new structure, which I know is the right thing for our business and our artists.”
On a global level, universal music group A corporate “re-engineering” plan is currently underway which is said to result in €75 million ($81 million) Annual cost savings in 2024 and 2023.
These annual cost savings (compared to 2023) will extend to 125 million euros In 2025, it will finally reach 250 million euros The company has told investors that by the end of 2026.
Universal isn’t the only company restructuring: Warner Music Group dedicated to cutting 600 employees By early September this year, although most of the job cuts will be through the sale of WMG’s media assets, Euprox and Hip Hop DX.
Global CEO, Warner Music Group Robert Kinkelsaid the restructuring will “free up more capital to invest in music and accelerate our growth over the next decade.”
In April, Warner confirmed it had agreed to sell Euprox The team led by the brand founder, Jarrett Meyerthe amount was undisclosed.
Last year, Warner Music UK announced it would merge with Frontline Records Palo style Enter Warner Music UK “Tag Alliance” structure.
Palo styleWarner said it will continue to have independent A&R and marketing functions, while back-office functions will be shared with its sister labels.global music business
