According to sources, Universal Music Group laid off 50 employees today at their Island Def Jam/Mercury, Interscope, Verve, Lost Highway and Universal Motown labels. People were let go in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. The layoffs amounted to less than 1% of UMG’s work force.
UMG Statement: “Universal Music Group is continuing to transform our organization to better serve our artists and business partners. Given the current economic climate, we have to be as agile and efficient as possible. Unfortunately, these ongoing efforts have resulted in some redundancy. However, UMG will now be even better positioned to compete in the growing global, digital marketplace.”
Stephen Jerzak, who we featured in June 2009, has signed to Universal Republic. He is the 89th featured Crazed Hits act to get picked up by a major label.
The Undeserving, who were highlighted by us in April 2008, have inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records. The band is the 88th featured Crazed Hits act to get signed.
Boyce Avenue, who were featured on Crazed Hits in April 2008, have signed to Universal Republic. The band is the 87th featured Crazed Hits act to get signed. Kudos to Tom Mackay, Universal Republic’s EVP of A&R, for inking the deal.
Local Natives have signed to Frenchkiss Records in the U.S. and Infectious in the UK. The band was first highlighted by us in June 2009 and signed a pub deal with Universal in September 2009.
• Buzz from several major labels and publishing companies • Recently featured on PerezHilton.com • Her self-penned song “Another Wanna Be” is on the Sony Walkman on over 8 million units worldwide, sold in Best Buy and Wal-Mart • Over 10k Digital Songs sold and MySpace fanbase reaching 40k • Has music on longest running show in TV history, “Guiding Light” (CBS) • Pending TV commercial placement featuring her song “Wild N Crazy” • Independently produced a music video for her track “Another Wanna Be”
