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Universal rejigs US structure, phases out standalone distribution division
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 28 April 2015
No one likes the word “distribution” anymore, do they? It’s all commercial services, label services, artist services, these days. How did ‘services’ become such a popular word?
Anyway, Universal Music in the US is having a little restructure, and as part of it the Universal Music Group Distribution brand will be phased out. The revamp follows the departure last year of Jim Urie, who had headed up the major’s American distribution operations since 2000.
The distribution and other commercial activities previously undertaken by Universal Music Group Distribution will be moved into other units at the major, according to Billboard.
So, for example, Candance Berry, previously GM of the distribution division, will become Exec VP Of Sales at the major, while brand partnership operations previously under UMGD will be merged into a new team led by Mike Tunnicliffe, Exec VP of Business Development And Partnerships.
It’s not clear whether the rejig will result in any redundancies, though there’s at least one new hire as a result of the restructuring, with Peter Sinclair joining from ScoreBig.com as Senior VP Of Consumer Engagement, to expand the major’s direct-to-fan operations.
