Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced the launch of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a new global network while the company says will deliver “premium and flexible artist and label services to the industry’s most dynamic entrepreneurs and independent talent worldwide, inspired and influenced by the spirit and ethos of the iconic Virgin Records label.”
Virgin Music Label & Artist Services will be led in each region by their own executive teams, providing fully resourced regional hubs that combine UMG’s 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.
Effective immediately, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services will provide artists global solutions, 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.
In the U.S., Caroline will be renamed Virgin Label & Artist Services. It 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., industry executive Vanessa Higgins has been appointed as MD, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services UK, effective immediately. In France, the 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, effective immediately. In Germany, alongside other markets across Central Europe, existing Caroline operations will be incorporated and expanded into Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. 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 U.S. In Japan, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Japan will launch, effective immediately, and will broaden the existing capabilities of Caroline Japan. Caroline International’s label services operation based in the U.K. will be renamed Virgin Music Label & Artist Services.
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.”
