Universal Music Promotes Will Tanous to Chief Administrative Officer

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorUniversal Music Group has announced the launch of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a “new global network delivering premium and flexible artist and label services to the industry’s most dynamic entrepreneurs and independent talent worldwide, inspired and influenced by the spirit and ethos of the iconic Virgin Records label.” The long-running label, originally founded by Richard Branson in 1972, came to Universal as part of its acquisition of EMI’s

Having built one worldwide sensation, Big Hit Entertainment, the management company and record label behind BTS, is looking to do it again. Big Hit and UMG announced Wednesday a strategic partnership in which they will assemble and debut a new global K-pop boy group together in the United States for the first time.The members will be selected from a global audition process that will be televised sometime next year with a U.S.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBig Hit Entertainment, the South Korean company that brought BTS to the world, and Universal Music Group today announced an expanded strategic partnership that will see the two companies working together to “increase opportunities for artists through innovation and technology, whilst expanding the global reach of K-pop music and culture around the world,” according the announcement.

Despite approaching the end of its third month in theaters, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s “The Croods: A New Age” is in a narrow race to take back the top spot at the pandemic box office with Warner Bros.’ “Judas and the Black Messiah,” with both films making around $2 million this weekend.While the winner won’t be determined until final totals come in for Presidents’ Day weekend on Tuesday, Universal for now is claiming the No.

The French media conglomerate Vivendi says it plans to spin off Universal Music Group in an IPO by the end of 2021. UMG, one of the "Big Three" record labels alongside Warner Music Group and Sony Music, is based in Santa Monica, California and led by CEO Lucian Grange.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorVivendi plans to list 60% of its share of Universal Music Group on the Euronext market in Amsterdam by the end of the year, according to announcements from the companies in the early hours of Saturday.

Rebecca Davis editorUniversal Music Group (UMG) and K-pop giant YG Entertainment have invested an undisclosed sum in an up-and-coming global digital live-streaming platform established by BTS backer Big Hit Entertainment and cloud video tech firm Kiswe, the companies announced Tuesday.Leading K-pop firm and YG rival Big Hit first linked up with New Jersey-headquartered Kiswe in an MOU last May.

TikTok have announced an “expanded global alliance” that will benefit both users of the app and artists signed to the label group.The short-form video app, which launched in 2016, allows users to use clips of songs to soundtrack their 15-second or 60-second videos.In a press release, UMG announced that a new deal between the two parties would see their full catalogue be made available for use on the app.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJust days after Triller and Universal Music Group essentially declared war on each other, UMG has unveiled a global agreement with TikTok “that delivers equitable compensation for recording artists and songwriters and significantly expands and enhances the companies’ existing relationship, promoting the development of new innovative experiences,” the announcement reads.Via the agreement, which covers recorded music from artists at UMG’s labels and songwriters with

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorThe war of words between Ryan Kavanaugh’s Triller and Universal Music Group escalated Friday, after UMG pulled its catalog from the video-sharing app citing Triller’s failure to pay licensing fees for songs used on its service.Early Friday, Universal Music said it was removing its music from Triller — which positions itself as a rival to popular social-video app TikTok — because, “Triller has shamefully withheld payments owed to our artists and refuses to

EXCLUSIVE: Longtime John Wells Productions executive Ned Haspel has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. He was previously EVP, Business and Financial Affairs.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaFirst Look Media has appointed Ian Stratford as its new chief legal officer and head of business affairs. Prior to joining First Look Media, Stratford served as SVP, associate general counsel at Endeavor where he helped found Endeavor Content, the agency’s production, financing and sales arm.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterUniversal Music Group has promoted veteran music attorney Michael Seltzer to executive VP of business & legal affairs and head of commercial transactions.According to the announcement, Seltzer oversees a team of 15 attorneys helping shape and negotiate the company’s agreements including recording contracts, label ventures, label distribution, merchandise, vendors, trademark entities, brand partners, film, TV and theatrical productions and equity and asset

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorUniversal Music Group has removed its entire music library from video app Triller, a would-be TikTok competitor, alleging Triller has withheld payments to the music giant’s artists.“We will not work with platforms that do not value artists. Triller has shamefully withheld payments owed to our artists and refuses to negotiate a license going forward,” a UMG rep said in a statement to Variety.

Wheelhouse, the company run by Brent Montgomery, the founder of Pawn Stars producer Leftfield, is ramping up its investment division with the hire of Ann Berry.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterWheelhouse, the firm founded by producer Brent Montgomery in partnership with Jimmy Kimmel, has brought on investment and private equity executive Ann Berry as its chief investment officer.

Endemol Shine North America has promoted Sharon Levy to Chief Content Officer.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterEndemol Shine North America has named Sharon Levy its chief content officer, elevating the exec from her prior role as president of unscripted and scripted television for the Banijay-owned studio.Levy first joined Endemol Shine North America in 2017, reshaping its programming team to work more closely with Banijay’s global production companies and created a development slate to include scripted and unscripted projects from co-owned labels worldwide.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterWarner Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has named David Woirhaye as the company’s new executive vice president and global chief financial officer, effectively immediately. In his new role, he will report into Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO.

Channel 4 has promoted its programming boss Ian Katz to chief content officer in a sweeping reorganization aimed at helping the UK broadcaster secure 40% of its £985 million ($1.3 billion) revenue from sources other than traditional TV advertising by 2025.