UMG combines its artist and services resources under the Virgin brand

 

Universal Music Group (UMG) has consolidated its artist services division under the new brand Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. The new artist and label services' global network has been inspired and influenced "by the spirit and ethos of the iconic Virgin Records label," the company founded in 1972 by Richard Branson and Simon Draper.

  "Virgin has long been a name synonymous with disruptive innovation, musical creativity and entrepreneurialism," said UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. "We are thrilled to announce the reinvigoration of this iconic music brand as a new model for global distribution and label services – combining UMG's unrivalled regional executive teams with dedicated resources and best-in-class services and technology, to help foster long-term partnerships and deliver global success for the next generation of independent labels and artist talent."  

Reaching new audiences

  UMG explained that Virgin Music Label & Artist Services will be led in each region by "highly skilled executive teams, providing fully resourced regional hubs that combine UMG's industry-leading technology platforms, specialist local networks and expertise with UMG's global strength and reach, alongside a suite of resources to help position labels and artists for long-term success globally and to empower the next generation of independent artists and labels to reach new audiences around the world."

  "I'm proud that half a century after we opened our first independent record shop in London, the Virgin Music name continues to represent the very best entrepreneurs, innovators, and artists from the world of music today," said Branson.

   The top five music markets (US, Japan, UK, Germany, France) and Latin America have fully staffed operations providing artists with global solutions. Additional operations will launch in the coming months.

  > In the USA, distribution and service company for independent labels and artists Caroline will be renamed Virgin Label & Artist Services and will continue to be led by Jacqueline Saturn, who becomes President, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, reporting to Capitol Music Group President and COO Michelle Jubelirer.

  > In the UK, Vanessa Higgins has been appointed as MD, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services UK. She joins UMG from Regent Street Records, the independent record label and music publishing company she founded in 2014. Higgins will report to David Joseph, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music UK. 

  > In France, the new division will be built from the foundations of Caroline France, with operations led by Thomas Lorain who has been appointed as MD, Virgin Music Labels & Artist Services France. Lorain has overseen Caroline France since 2014 and reports to Universal Music France CEO Olivier Nusse.

  > In Germany, existing Caroline operations will be incorporated and expanded into Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, led by Tina Adams, who will assume the role of Label Manager. The label will be based in Berlin and Adams will report to Frank Briegmann, Chairman & CEO Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon. The new division will operate alongside domestic front-line label Virgin Records Germany. 

  > In Latin America & Iberia, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services will launch in early 2021 across a handful of key markets including Mexico, Spain and Latin operations in the US. The label will have dedicated teams and resources based in Los Angeles, Miami and Mexico City. Virgin Music Latin America will be led by Víctor González, who has been appointed to the position of President, Virgin Music LATAM & Iberia. He was most recently President of Universal Music Latin Entertainment (UMLE). Based in Los Angeles, he reports to Jesús López, Chairman & CEO Latin America & Iberian Peninsula. 

  > In Japan, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Japan will launch from existing capabilities of Caroline Japan and operate alongside domestic front-line label Virgin Music. It will be led by Hirokazu Tanaka, reporting to Naoshi Fujikura, President and CEO, Universal Music Japan. 

  > In addition, Caroline International's label services operation based in the UK will be renamed Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, under the continued leadership of MD's Michael Roe and Jim Chancellor. It will support the Virgin worldwide network to represent and distribute independent talent and labels around the world. 

Artists and Labels to be distributed globally via Virgin Music Label & Artist services include: Because Music (Christine & The Queens, Major Lazer – global markets outside of France), Van Morrison, Steven Wilson, Sophie Hunger, Peter Gabriel, Tame Impala (ex UK, US and Australia), Iggy Pop, Underworld and DAVE (excluding UK and US).