Universal Music Group cuts US and UK jobs as label leaders leave
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Universal Music Group is carrying out extensive layoffs across its US and UK operations, alongside departures and leadership changes at several labels. The cuts continue a restructuring process announced in 2024 and come as the music industry adjusts to slower streaming growth and audiences shifting towards social media and other digital channels.
Def Jam chief executive Tunji Balogun, Interscope executives Sam Riback and Nicole Wyskoarko are among those leaving; Balogun will stay until the end of the year to support the transition. Republic Records’ Jim Roppo is reported to be joining Warner Records, though neither company has confirmed the move, while other executives are taking on expanded roles. UMG reported first-half 2026 revenue of nearly $7.2 billion, up 5.3% year on year, and has faced costs including the integration of its $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music.
- UMG is making extensive cuts across its US and UK operations.
- Several senior label executives are leaving or changing roles.
- First-half revenue rose 5.3% to nearly $7.2 billion.
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Universal Music Group (UMG) is one of the world’s largest music companies, releasing recordings through labels such as Def Jam, Interscope and Republic. Record labels work with artists to make and promote music, and earn money from sales, streaming and licensing.
The music business has shifted towards streaming, while companies have also been reorganising to control costs and respond to changes in how people discover music. UMG announced a restructuring in 2024, and its purchase of music services company Downtown adds further integration costs.
Changes at senior label level can affect who makes decisions about artists and releases. UMG’s financial results provide context for the changes: revenue has grown, while the company is also managing costs.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
UMG can argue that restructuring is a prudent response to changes in how audiences discover and consume music, and that reducing costs while integrating Downtown Music may help it invest more effectively and remain competitive. Revenue growth does not remove the need to adapt, and reshaping senior roles could allow the company to respond faster to industry shifts.
The case against
Employees and artists can argue that extensive cuts and the loss of experienced executives risk weakening the relationships, expertise and creative support on which successful labels depend. With revenue rising, they may question whether broad layoffs are necessary and argue that the costs of integration and efficiency should not fall chiefly on staff or diminish long-term investment in artists.
Full account
Universal Music Group has begun a new round of job cuts and leadership changes across its US and UK businesses, as part of a cost-reduction programme announced in 2024. Reports say the changes are taking place this week and follow staff reductions at UMG operations in Canada and other territories. The company has not publicly confirmed the full scale of the latest cuts.
Among the senior departures reported are Def Jam chief executive Tunji Balogun, Interscope executives Nicole Wyskoarko and Sam Riback, Polydor Label Group president Ben Mortimer, and UMG Ireland managing director Mark Crossingham. Rebecca Allen, who had been UMG UK’s chief artist and strategy officer, announced she was leaving after 27 years with the company. Hannah Neaves, president of UM Recordings UK, is reported to be moving to a consultancy role. Some executives are expected to remain in their posts for a transition period.
The changes also include new or expanded responsibilities. Republic Collective chief Jeffrey Remedios and Mercury Records chief Tyler Arnold are to take leadership roles at Republic Records. Island Records co-chief executives Imran Majid and Justin Eshak are expected to take on broader responsibilities across UMG’s East Coast labels. Nickie Owen will expand her role in global marketing in the UK, while Nick Younger is to succeed Crossingham in Ireland. Reports also describe wider leadership changes at Interscope and a new operations lead for Switzerland and Austria.
UMG said its approach was intended to anticipate changes in the industry, strengthen support for artists and songwriters, and improve efficiency through new skills, technology and closer coordination between teams. It added that it was grateful to employees whose roles were being removed. The 2024 programme was designed to deliver €250 million in annual savings by the end of 2026 through a mix of job reductions and operational efficiencies. The latest wave comes amid wider cost-cutting across major music companies.
Where outlets differ
The reports vary in how they describe the timing and scope: one says the reductions are expected across Wednesday and Thursday, while another describes the final phase of a three-part plan and says cuts began this week. None gives a total number of jobs affected in the US and UK.
The outlets provide different detail on individual departures and appointments. Billboard names Ivo Sacchi among those leaving and lists broader Interscope roles for Laura Carter, Ramon Alvarez-Smikle and Michelle An; Variety and MBW do not include those details in the supplied excerpts. Variety says Hannah Neaves will take a consultancy role, while Billboard reports that both Neaves and Allen will do so; MBW only specifies Neaves’ consultancy and says Allen is stepping away.
Variety reports that Republic Records co-chief Jim Roppo is said to be joining Warner Records, while Billboard says he is leaving UMG as part of leadership changes. The supplied reports say neither company has confirmed a Warner move. They also differ in emphasis on the savings plan: Billboard gives its original annual targets and organisational alignment, while MBW cites later savings figures and the company’s reported progress toward the goal.
More coverage
- Billboard — Universal Music Shakeup: Def Jam, Polydor, Interscope Execs to Exit as Company Completes 2024 Restructure Plan
- Music Business Worldwide — Multiple layoffs at Universal Music Group, as $270M cost-cutting program continues
- The Hollywood Reporter — Universal Music Undergoes Shake Up With Def Jam, Republic Top Execs Among Departures
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Originally published by Variety Music as “Universal Music Group Hit With Layoffs, Several Top Execs to Leave Company”.