Internal message from David Joseph regarding changes at UMG

09 July 2024 - Press release

Music is dynamic, and constantly changing, both creatively and commercially. Artists need the best and most agile partners by their side. They need a home that will help them harness the opportunities of today, and tomorrow, while also guarding against new risks as they emerge.

As a company, we must continue to be forward-looking, innovative, and bold. Developing artists now requires more creativity and patience than ever before.

As our industry continues to evolve, we have been looking at ways to strengthen our labels’ capabilities to deepen artist and fan connections. You have seen some of the changes happening globally across UMG, most notably in the US with Republic Corps, and Interscope Capitol Labels Group.

We have been working on plans for the next phase of our company’s growth and I am writing today to share details of our approach.

The first part is supercharging our labels, and the second is the launch of the industry’s first ever Audience and Media Division (AMD) to support all our artists and labels.

From October 1^st, we are creating two new powerhouse frontline label groups, each home to multiple labels all with creative autonomy. Within each label group will be a team dedicated to supporting artists from the wider UMG family, and with close links to our new US label partners Republic Corps, and Interscope Capitol Labels Group.

 

What this means: 

• The legendary Island and EMI labels will come together as the newly named Island EMI Label Group with Louis Bloom as President.

• The newly formed Polydor Label Group will be led by Ben Mortimer as President. Polydor Label Group will include a reimagined Capitol with Jo Charrington as President and 0207 Def Jam, led by President Alec Boateng.

 

In addition:

• Laura Monks and Tom Lewis will continue to lead Decca as a stand-alone label with a pioneering global footprint in classical, jazz, instrumental, folk, soul, and electronic music.

• Hannah Neaves as sole president of UMR will build on its award-winning strategy to drive new audiences globally for Universal Music UK’s exceptional catalogue.

• Nickie Owen has incisively redesigned our International strategy to sit at the heart of our labels, where every conversation is designed to reach global audiences and communities.

 

As noted above, an equally significant structural change is the launch of our Audience and Media Division (AMD), which will serve all our artists and labels, and will be led by Rebecca Allen as President.

Becky and I have spent a lot of time discussing this vision to create something revolutionary — an industry first where every type of media is seamlessly integrated. We are assembling an elite team making this our largest division.

 

The Audience and Media division will include:

• Media led by the award-winning Suzy Walby.

• Audience and Digital Strategy led by Kate Wyn Jones, an award-winning digital strategist with 18 years’ experience across communications, publishing and media agencies.

• The Square insight team, who are industry pioneers at the intersection of big data, human insight, strategy and creativity, led by Jack Fryer.

 

The Audience and Media Division will revolutionise how we deliver for our artists and become a new Centre of Excellence at Universal Music UK alongside, among others, the award-winning partnerships team at Globe and a new combined eCommerce and CRM team.

These changes mark an exciting new chapter for our company, and I am confident they will position us for even greater success.

While the vast majority of our team will continue to be a part of our business going forward, some roles are impacted by the proposed structural changes. It saddens me that we will have to part ways with some incredible colleagues who have been instrumental in our journey.

 

Here is a summary of what to expect:

• The consultation period starts today for those whose roles are potentially at risk and will continue until mid-September.

• Our People, Inclusion, and Culture team will work closely with senior management to ensure everyone is informed and supported during this period.

• If you have timely questions not addressed here, please contact your line manager or People Partner for more information.

• We will be communicating further in the coming days, including of course to our artists and managers.

 

We are committed to being the number one place for artists, fans and talent. I have an incredible appreciation for our team given what we have achieved in the past and what I know we will achieve in the future.

Thank you for your understanding and continued dedication as we move towards this new structure, one which I know is right for our business and our artists.

David