Universal Music Group Cutting East Coast Staff

With the splitting up of the Island Def Jam Music Group into three labels, the Universal Music Group is recalibrating the staffing at its East Coast labels. While sources say about 12* staffers have been let go over the last two days, other sources within the company say some of the layoffs are being made to make way for new hires in other functions. For example, Republic is adding promotion staff to handle Island Records, but also laid off some staffers. At the end of the realignment, the newly liberated labels and Republic will be down about a dozen staffers, UMG sources say.

In other news related to the break-up of the Island Def Jam Group, Island Records and Mercury’s market share will be counted with Republic’s and Island Records president David Massey will report to both UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge and Republic Records founder, chairman/CEO Monte Lipman.  Motown’s market share will be incorporated into the Capitol Music Group headed by chairman/CEO Steve Barnett. New Motown president and Universal Music Publishing Group executive VP Ethiopia Habtemariam will report to both Barnett and Universal Music Publishing Group North America president Evan Lamberg.

Source: Billboard