Lucian Grainge
An L.A. Times article highlights the corporate strategy of UMG chairman Lucian Grainge, explaining his embrace of technology, focus on breaking new acts, and development of emerging sales markets.
He moved the label group’s headquarters from New York to California to be closer to the tech companies. Additionally, UMG is discussing a $20/month service that would allow unlimited song downloads that the consumer could keep even after they drop the subscription. Grainge wants to test the service in a European country with rampant piracy, in a bid to increase revenue from emerging markets.
To further artist development, Grainge has invested in Capitol Records, Virgin Records and Blue Note Records and tapped proven hit-makers such as Steve Barnett and Don Was to run them.
The article discusses Grainge’s career history, from signing the Psychedelic Furs, to becoming known for his excellent A&R ears, and then climbing the ranks at RCA Music Group.
He gained experience in international business as leader of Universal Music Group’s operations outside North America. In 2011 he took over the entire company and a year later shepherded UMG’s $1.9 billion purchase of EMI, giving Universal the biggest market share of the three major labels. Read the full story.
About the Author
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.View Author Profile
