Universal Music has announced it is launching a new UK division which will take the legendary Geffen Records name. The UK version of Geffen will be headed up by Colin Barlow, currently co-President of Universal's Polydor division, who will report directly to Universal Music UK Chairman David Joseph. Despite Universal having centralised all its UK labels into one building in recent years, the all new Geffen UK will have its own offices.
Geffen Records US, of course, was set up by David Geffen in 1980, being bought by Universal (then known as MCA) in 1990. Since the mid-nineties it has operated as a division within Universal's Interscope enterprise, though is still a widely recognised record label brand in the US market with its own roster and website. It's unclear if Geffen UK will work with any Geffen US artists, or if they will continue to be marketed over here through other Universal divisions.
Confirming the new division and Barlow's appointment, Universal Music International chief Lucian Grainge told reporters: "Colin and I have worked together in publishing and records for almost 20 years, and his greatest achievements speak for themselves. The legacy of Geffen and the future of Colin are exceptionally powerful and exciting".
In his statement, Barlow stressed his ambitions for the new Universal division to be multi-stream, or 360 degree if you like, looking to enter into deals with new artists that cover recordings and other areas. He told reporters: "With Geffen UK I want to create the hottest new company in the business, but it won't just be about records. David Geffen was one of the original music executives who looked at what we do as a whole - he built a company which encompassed all sides of the entertainment business - and what I'm looking to do is create, sign and develop artists with that same broad perspective. The legacy of Geffen in America was that it was an artist-led label and that is exactly what Geffen in the UK will become too".