Execs Appointed In Universal Music Australia Restructure

Universal Music Australia executives Michael Taylor and Darren Aboud have been appointed joint Managing Directors of the streamlining company's Australian operations today.

In an announcement by Universal's Australasia President George Ash, the two – who have both been influential in the company's recent direction – will oversee labels including Island, Mercury, Modular, Polydor, Republic, IDJ and others under the one banner.

Based in the company's Sydney offices – of which there are currently two locations as the business moves across the city – the duo will oversee the international labels, domestic, strategy and promotional teams.

“We are both very excited to bring this re-launch of Universal Music Australia to the market,” they said in a joint statement.

“We would like to thank George for the opportunity and for believing in us. Creating a stand-alone label for Universal Music Australia, which will bring the International and Australian Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Promotions, Classics & Jazz and the A&R teams together will give us a more efficient, creative, nimble and entrepreneurial music company, that can harness the collective resources of our entire organization to better serve our artists, their music and their creative talents.”

A proven A&R executive, Taylor was most recently Executive Vice President of A&R, Universal and Island Records Australasia while Aboud was the company's Head Of Marketing.

“Both Mike and Darren are true music people who have forged entrepreneurial and creative visions for our company,” said George Ash.

“To have them now running Universal Music and sprinkling their magic dust across the business is fantastic, I couldn't be more excited. Our aim is to drive entrepreneurial and innovative activities across all our labels and ensure our artists get the best possible partnerships with our teams into the digital future and with Mike and Darren they couldn't be in better hands.”

The EMI division of the company will continue to operate outside of this structure, with John O'Donnell continuing to report to Ash.

NEW UNIVERSAL OFFICES

Universal's Sydney office move will be officially effective from Friday 20 June. Moving out of their Millers Point building, the departments of management, marketing, promotions, content and community, Island Records, legal and HR will be located in the ex-EMI building at 18 Hutchinson Street, Surry Hills 2010.

EMI, Mercury Records, Neon Records, sales, business support, licensing, new business Bravado, e-commerce, finance, royalties and IT will shift to the new space at 150 William Street, Woolloomooloo 2011.