Australian EMI staff are believed to have been told their future today as the Universal Music Group incorporates the historic major label into its operations.
Management are believed to have made the announcement regarding staff retrenchments and re-organising at around 4pm.
Calls to staff were not immediately returned to theMusic.com.au this afternoon.
Industry sources speculated late last week that the majority of staff retained would be publicity and A&R employees, specifically those working directly with artists.
Last year EMI's recorded music and publishing divisions were split and sold to Universal and a Sony/ATV consortium respectively. Two weeks ago, EMI's Chairman & Senior Vice President Mark Poston quit the label, presumably in anticipation of the integration.
Last May theMusic.com.au were the first media outlet a executive from EMI spoke to about the sale, with Executive Vice President for Marketing in Europe and the Rest of the World Bart Cools saying at the time, “I think this is a healthy company in most territories making quite a bit of money."
He added, “Universal didn't buy this to destroy it, obviously. There is a sort of worry, but not too much. We're doing well, we're developing nicely, we do what we have to do.”
More information as it emerges.
