MUMBAI: Close on the heels of its merger with EMI, leading record label Universal Music has announced the launch of Virgin EMI Records. The label brings together Virgin Records and Universal Music sister company Mercury Records under one name.
It is a part of integration following Universal’s ?1.2 bn buyout of EMI last year, that gave it control of Virgin Music.
The move was announced by Universal Music UK chairman and CEO David Joseph. “Virgin EMI will be a creative powerhouse for the UK music industry. It has an exceptionally strong A&R line-up, with sensational domestic and international artists, combined with the ethos which has served the company so well over the past 40 years,” Joseph said in a statement.
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As part of the set-up, executives from Mercury Records will be transferred to the new label, which will be home to international artists from Island Def Jam and Virgin US labels. Virgin and EMI will each employ their own A&R and marketing department. Island Records co-president Ted Cockle will head Virgin EMI.
Cockle said, “In the label’s 40th year, to have this incredible line-up of British artists and US repertoire of such pedigree it feels like Virgin EMI will have everything in place to help the very best talent flourish fully.”
On the other hand, Virgin Records which became a part of the conglomerate after the merger will return to become a full-service record company.
The move will also witness Mercury Records’ managing director Jason Iley quitting the company, though he will ‘continue to work closely with Universal Music on some projects’.
Iley said, “I’ve had an incredible journey at Universal, having worked at Polydor, Island and Mercury, and been privileged to work with some inspiring artists and executives over the past 15 years. I look forward to continuing these relationships in a new capacity and wish Ted Cockle all the very best with Virgin EMI.”
Virgin EMI Records will sit alongside Island, Polydor and Decca as one of Universal Music UK’s frontline labels. It will manage artists like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Emeli Sande, Sir Elton John, Rihanna and Kanye West under its stable.
Universal Music’s existing line-up will be joined by a fifth label, when Capitol label opens its doors in the UK for the first time – details of this significant label launch are expected by the end of April. The Mercury label will continue as an imprint within Universal Music.
