Universal Motown revamps labels

By Chris Morris

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Universal Motown Records
Group is being reorganized as two discrete, nongenre-specific
labels, Universal Motown Records and Universal Republic
Records, with Sylvia Rhone and Monte Lipman serving as their
respective presidents.

A Universal Music Group spokesman had no comment on the
changes, which were confirmed by sources within UMG.

Lipman was president of Universal Records, while Rhone was
president of Motown Records and executive VP of Universal
Records. Both executives will continue to report to UMRG
chairman Mel Lewinter.

The principal effect of the shift is the end of Rhone’s
unusual bifurcated role within UMRG. When she joined the
company in late 2004 after a decade as chairman/CEO of Elektra
Records, she oversaw the roster at Motown, essentially an urban
music enclave, and was charged with certain projects at
rock-focused Universal Records.

Universal Motown and Universal Republic both will encompass
a spread of stylistic product. Universal Motown’s acts will
include Stevie Wonder, India.ArieCQ, Lil WayneCQ, Nelly,
Lindsay Lohan, the Mars Volta and Blue October. Universal
Republic’s artists will include Elton John, Jack Johnson, 3
Doors Down, Godsmack, Prince, Damian Marley, Tamar and Don
Omar.

While Universal Motown and Universal Republic will share
certain back-office finance and legal functions, the labels
will otherwise be stand-alone operations and are expected to
expand their staffs in the immediate future.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter