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Universal US merge back offices of Motown and Def Jam divisions
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 20 June 2011
Universal Music has announced it is merging the ‘back office’ operations of its Motown and Island Def Jam divisions in the US.
The Motown Republic Group is being revamped following the departure of its top lady, Sylvia Rhone, who has taken a job heading up a new division at the major. According to the Hollywood Reporter the restructure will result in about 20 job losses from legal, finance, publicity and A&R administration.
Confirming the revamp and downsize, Universal exec Barry Weiss, who now oversees both divisions, told reporters: “In an effort to better serve our artists and business partners, UMRG and IDJMG are reallocating resources to achieve greater efficiencies. While this will unfortunately result in some redundancy, it will allow for increased expenditures on the creative front across all of our labels, with particular plans to double our A&R investment and Universal Motown”.
