UMG Launches Virgin Music Label & Artist Services
• Universal Music Group (UMG) announced the launch of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a new global network of regional hubs with fully staffed operations already established in the world’s top five music markets — U.S., Japan, U.K., Germany, France — and across Latin America. Additional operations will launch in the coming months. Here are the current regional details:
• In the U.S., Caroline will be rebranded as Virgin Label & Artist Services and will continue under the leadership of Jacqueline Saturn, who becomes President, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, reporting to Capitol Music Group President & COO, Michelle Jubelirer. In the U.K., Vanessa Higgins has been appointed as MD, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services UK. Higgins joins UMG from Regent Street Records, the independent label and music publishing company she founded in 2014. She reports to David Joseph, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music UK. Caroline International’s label services operation based in the U.K. will be renamed Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, under the continued leadership of MDs Michael Roe and Jim Chancellor. (Pictured, below, l-r): Saturn, Higgins, Roe and Chancellor.
• In France, the new evolved 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. In Germany, alongside other markets across Central Europe, existing Caroline operations will be incorporated and expanded into Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. The new division will be based in Berlin and led by Label Manager Tina Adams.
In Latin America & Iberia, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services will soon launch across a handful of key markets including Mexico, Spain and Latin operations in the U.S. The label will have dedicated teams and resources based in Los Angeles, Miami and Mexico City, led by Víctor González, who has been appointed as President, Virgin Music LATAM & Iberia. Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Japan will broaden the existing capabilities of Caroline Japan, which will be combined into the new division led by Hirokazu Tanaka. (Pictured, below, l-r): Lorain, Adams, González and Tanaka.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG, said, “Virgin has long been a name synonymous with disruptive innovation, musical creativity and entrepreneurialism. 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. In total, this global launch represents an important evolution of our industry-leading strategy to be an accelerator and vital partner for the music’s best independent artists and entrepreneurs.”
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Founder, said, “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.”
