Adam Granite, (photo: Carsten Windhorst)
Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced that international music executive Adam Granite has been appointed Executive Vice President of Market Development, reporting to UMG Chairman/CEO Sir Lucian Grainge. Granite’s appointment is effective September 1 and he will be based in London.
Among his responsibilities, Granite will work closely with UMG’s senior management team and operating companies across more than 60 territories to maximize the commercial opportunities for artists and labels across Europe and emerging markets including Africa, China and India. He will increase coordination of UMG’s audio-visual content in Europe and Asia and contribute to the company’s global strategy for marketing, distribution, and commercial initiatives including licensing, acquisitions and emerging genres.
In making the announcement, Grainge said, “More than ever, to be successful in an increasingly global music business, you must be able to maximize opportunities in markets around the world. With Adam, we are adding an experienced executive to UMG’s deep bench and gaining someone with a global track record of commercial success.”
“Universal Music Group is the gold standard when it comes to breaking artists across international markets,” Granite said. “With the global nature of today’s music industry, artists have access to audiences around the world and the ability to broadly influence culture on a scale never before seen. It’s a tremendously exciting time and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to UMG and working with their renowned team of artists and executives.”
With more than 20 years in the music business, Granite has held a wide range of positions running record labels and working in finance, strategic planning, operations, business development, merchandise, as well as roles with oversight of territories in Europe, Africa, Russia, Turkey, Israel, as well as the Baltic and Balkan states.
Most recently, Granite served as President of Northern & Eastern Europe and Africa for Sony Music Entertainment. Since 2014, he has been responsible for both Sony’s operations and licensed operations across those territories. Granite was also a key member of Sony Music’s International Executive Management team, where he led digital strategy, A&R, marketing, brands, market segmentation & consumer insights, and international sales & distribution deals. Before that role, he was EVP of Sony Music International, and earlier in his career served as General Manager of Epic Records.
