UMG Undergoing Widespread Layoffs

• Jim Roppo‘s move from Republic Records to Warner Music Group comes against the backdrop of extensive layoffs inside Universal Music Group’s U.S. and U.K. operations this week, with multiple high level executives exiting.

Sources tell Variety that Def Jam Records Chairman-CEO Tunji Balogun, and Interscope Records execs Sam Riback and Nicole Wyskoarko will be leaving their posts.

At Republic, Jeffrey Remedios, President & CEO of Republic Collective, and Tyler Arnold, Chairman & CEO of Mercury Records, will take on new leadership roles at Republic Records, with details TBA; Island Records co-CEOs Imran Majid and Justin Eshak will take on greater roles UMG’s East Coast labels. More details are expected to become clear in the coming days.

UMG’s Canadian division was similarly affected last month, while 27-year UMG U.K. veteran Rebecca Allen announced this week she’s stepping down as Chief Artist & Strategy Officer, a post that she was just promoted to last December.

In a statement to RAMP, a UMG spokesperson said, “Our consistent success has been built on our ability to anticipate industry changes, act early to better serve all our artists and songwriters, and capture opportunities in music’s fastest-growing areas. Our industry-leading investment in artist development has always guided that work and will continue to do so. We’re bringing in new skills and technology and connecting expertise across our teams to deliver greater global impact and greater efficiency. Where we have made the difficult decision to remove certain roles, we are deeply grateful for the contributions of the people leaving us.”