Yahoo Finance Universal Music Restructures East Coast Labels Under Republic Corps
As the vast reorganization of Universal Music Group’s labels continues, as expected, the company’s East Coast operations are uniting via the Republic Corps umbrella. The move reflects the company’s reorganization of its labels via the domains of Republic’s Monte Lipman (East Coast) and Interscope’s John Janick (West Coast). Jim Roppo, previously co-president of the Republic label, has been named president and COO of Republic Corps, reporting directly to Monte and Avery Lipman.
While no official announcement was sent, according to an internal document obtained by Variety, Republic Corps will serve as the “central operational hub” for the labels:
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Republic (under Wendy Goldstein, president and chief creative officer),
Mercury Records (with Tyler Arnold as president and Ben Adelson as GM),
Island Records (Justin Eshak and Imran Majid, co-CEOs),
Def Jam Recordings (Tunji Balogun, chairman/CEO),
Imperial Music and Casablanca Records (Glenn Mendlinger, president).
“As part of this new collective, each individual label maintains and operates with full independence and creative autonomy,” the document states, although Roppo “will now spearhead strategy and operations working with the individual labels; leading the Corps team and integrated departments.” The move also sees a number of executives taking on additional responsibilities as the individual companies unify their operations.
Kevin Lipson, who currently helms global commerce, will take on an expanded role with a focus on revenue strategy;
Gary Spangler will be at the forefront of promotion together, with a team including Lucas Romeo, Ayelet Schiffman and format leads Natina Nimene (Urban), Brett Dumler (Pop), Davey Dee Ingenloff (Rhythm), Manny Simon (Adult) and Amanda Dobbins (Rock);
Mike Alexander, will assume the head of global marketing role with key lieutenants Myra DeCastro (Def Jam), Steve Rowen (Island), and Zoe Briggs (Republic/Mercury);
Joseph Carozza, will oversee media strategy across all labels with Beau Benton (Republic), Marisa Bianco (Mercury), Lauren Ceradini (Def Jam), and Lauren Schneider (Island);
Steve Gawley will continue as executive VP of business & legal affairs and business development, while Joe Schmidt will remain as executive VP and chief financial officer.
Additional components of the Republic Corps team include Jenny Beal (Production), Brittney Ramsdell (Creative Synchronization), Meredeth Oliver and Liza Corsey (A&R Administration), Data & Analytics and more.
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