Frank Briegmann has been promoted to chairman and CEO of Universal Music Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Deutsche Grammophon, the company announced on Thursday (Oct. 1). He will continue reporting to Universal Music Group chairman and CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge.
In Briegmann’s new position, he will work alongside UMG’s leadership teams across Europe, including the U.K. and Iberia. He will collaborate with Olivier Nusse (CEO, UMG France); Sean Warner (president and CEO, Universal Music Australia and New Zealand); and Julie Adam (president and CEO, Universal Music Canada). Luis Fernández will continue to serve as president of Universal Music, Spain, and Ana Hernandez will continue to serve as managing director of Portugal, with both reporting to Jesus Lopez. Dickon Stainer also continues as chairman and CEO of UMG U.K., reporting to Grainge.
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“Frank and I have worked together for more than 20 years, and he’s a fierce artist champion with a proven track record of building long-term careers,” Grainge said in a statement. “He combines creative expertise with business acumen and the insights of data and technology. Just as important, he respects what makes every market different and knows how to give great local leaders the freedom and support to succeed. Frank’s promotion is all about the power of possibility; making it easier for artists, ideas and opportunities to travel across borders.”
Briegmann first joined UMG in 2004, serving as CEO of the record label’s German business. In 2013, he was promoted to serve as president of UMG Central Europe, where he oversaw Switzerland, Australia and the Deutsche Grammophon classical label, as well as continuing to serve as chairman and CEO of Universal Music Germany.
“Great artists can emerge anywhere, and today they can find an audience almost everywhere,” Briegmann said in a statement. “That makes strong local expertise more important. Our responsibility is to understand and nurture what makes each market dynamic and distinctive, while giving artists the investment, local expertise and global reach to realize their full potential. I’m grateful to Lucian for his trust and this new opportunity to take on this broader responsibility. Over the years, I have seen what becomes possible when great local teams work closely together across borders. I look forward to building on that experience with this exceptional group of leaders and creating even more opportunities for artists throughout these markets around the world.”
UMG has announced several executive hires and promotions within the last week, first with Òscar Celma named the company’s first senior vp of applied AI and machine learning on Monday (Sept. 28), then with Libby Bush appointed as president of global brands and commercial partnerships at the record label on Tuesday (Sept. 29).