EMI Loses 20 Staff, New Roles To Be Offered Today

EMI Music Australia has retrenched about 20 staff as the company begins its integration into Universal Music Australia.

The lay offs were made yesterday, with Universal bosses – including Australian head George Ash – meeting staff in the Sydney office. The label also lost single staff members from the Melbourne and Perth offices.

Staff who have been retained will be offered new roles today, either under Universal or as part of the EMI frontline. It is believed Universal management are keeping details confidential until individuals discover the roles they're being offered.

As was speculated, retained staff are largely from the media, promotions and marketing departments, while accounts and business-end roles will be integrated into Universal.

Those who have been let go include A&R guru Glenn Dickie and Perth-based Dixie Battersby.

EMI staff expected to move from their extensive head office in Sydney's Surry Hills to the Universal building in Millers Point, where a room has been prepared for their integration.

According to sources, Universal are expected to keep EMI's as a separate entity initially, with its own marketing and promotions team. New business will likely be dealt with jointly.

Representatives from Universal have yet to respond to theMusic.com.au's request for comment.