Universal Music Publishing Group’s long-serving UK managing director Mike McCormack is to step down from his role to set up a consultancy and form a joint venture with UMPG.
McCormack’s successor will be David GrayHas been promoted to UK managing director and global head of A&R for Universal Music Publishing Group, reporting to UMPG chairman and CEO Jody Gerson.
Gray will move from New York to London in January.
In his newly promoted role, Gray oversees the management and creative direction of all departments across the company’s UK offices.
UMPG said he will source and expand local and global creative opportunities for UMPG songwriters, artists and producers, lead the UK team to identify, sign and develop early stage talent, and support legacy talent by ensuring opportunities to strengthen and enhance their catalogues. .
Gray most recently served as UMPG’s executive vice president and co-head of U.S. A&R, as well as head of the company’s global creative group.
Among the many songwriters, artists and producers he has signed to the label are Sabrina Carpenter, Stephen Sanchez, Julia Michaels, Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato.
UMPG noted that Gray and Gerson conceived and formed the company’s Global Creative Group In 2022, create and connect opportunities for songwriters, producers, artists and executives around the world.
The company said that under Gray’s leadership, this “priority initiative” brings together “creatives from across genres and countries to collaborate and create tomorrow’s hits.”
Some of the hit song and album projects featuring UMPG songwriters and producers that have emerged as a direct result of the global creative collective include: Colombian artist Feid and American hip-hop producer ATL Jacob’s Luna, Topping the charts in many countries.
Other successful names include Brazilian artist Luísa Sonza, whose album scandalintimate The album, co-created by Brazilian and American producers, became Spotify’s third-biggest first-ever Latin female album. It’s a collaboration with Demi Lovato, cliff 2breaking the record for the largest debut in Spotify’s Brazilian history.
Another project initiated by UMPG Global Creative Group is Italian artist Mahmood’s recent #1 album In someone else’s bed, Four of the songs were co-written with UMPG France writers and charted in France, Germany, Sweden and Portugal, reaching No. 5 on the Spotify Global Album Debut Chart.
In a note sent to UMPG staff this week and obtained by MBW, McCormack confirmed he had “decided to step down as managing director of UMPG UK”, adding that he would step down as managing director on November 4 but would remain will be a partner in the firm. UMPG Global Creative Team This will be achieved “in the coming years” through a joint venture with UMPG.
He added: “I’m extremely proud of our achievements and the many awards we’ve won together, but the real sense of fulfillment over the past 25 years at UMPG (as deputy general manager and then general manager) has come from working with artists, songwriters and When producers create incredible music.
“A huge thank you to Jody Gerson for the opportunity to serve as General Manager. Her trust, support and guidance have been invaluable. Jody has set the gold standard for creative leadership in music companies and her intuition, taste and work ethic are second to none .
“I would like to thank Mike McCormack for his many contributions to UMPG over the years, particularly his leadership during his eight years as our UK general manager.”
Jody Gerson
Commenting on the news of McCormack stepping down as managing director to transition into a consultancy and form a joint venture with UMPG, Gerson said: “I would like to thank Mike McCormack for his many contributions to UMPG over the years, particularly his leadership over eight years. As our British MD.
“I value him very much as a friend and colleague. I am delighted that he will continue to be a member of the UMPG family.
McCormack was appointed UK managing director of UMPG in 2016. The songwriter has signed and collaborated with, MGMT and Sigurd Ross.
Meanwhile, David Gray joined UMPG in 2013, becoming EVP/Head of West Coast A&R soon after and soon becoming Co-Head of U.S. A&R.
Previously he worked as head of A&R at Zomba and Sony Music International, and held senior A&R roles at Simon Cowell’s Syco Music, where he developed artists signed to record labels through the TV show The X Factor and Got Talent franchises.
Before becoming a music executive, Gray signed with UMPG as the lead singer of the band Idle Wilds (RCA Records).
“I want to thank Jodi for her continued belief in me and for shaping a company built on A&R, creativity and belief in songwriters and artists, which is at the core of our ethos.”
David Gray
Gray commented, “I want to thank Jody for her continued belief in me and for shaping a company founded on A&R, creativity and belief in songwriters and artists, which is at the core of our ethos.
“I’m delighted to be working with the incredible team in the UK, including our great head of A&R Pete Simmons, and to build on the success of Mike McCormack, who will continue to do great work for our company through his new venture. Make outstanding contributions.
“David embodies everything I could hope for in a successor to UMPG UK.”
Mike McCormack
McCormack said: “David embodies everything I would want in a successor to UMPG UK. First and foremost, he is a creative leader and understands the global A&R philosophy that Jody has instilled in our company from day one.
“He signed one of the world’s most groundbreaking artists this year, Sabrina Carpenter, and most importantly he’s a fantastic guy who will undoubtedly prove he can lead the UK just as he leads his A&R team in the US. Same”
“David is one of the most creative A&R executives I know and is an integral part of our global strategy and success.”
Jody Gerson
In announcing Gray’s promotion, Gerson said, “David is one of the most creative A&R executives I know and is integral to our global strategy and success.
“His talent for discovering and building careers for songwriters, artists and producers is second to none, and his leadership and mentorship of the next generation of publishers are qualities I greatly admire. I’m excited to elevate David to this new role Position.
You can read Mike McCormack’s full note to UMPG staff:
Hello everyone,
I am writing to inform you that I have decided to resign as Managing Director of UMPG UK.
As we became more successful and grew so rapidly, I found that the responsibilities of running a UK company inevitably meant that I didn’t have much time to devote to the creative side of our business, which is where my heart really lies. Jody has been aware of how I feel about this for some time and has been extremely supportive as I made this decision.
We have reached an agreement that I will take some time off after stepping down on November 4th, but will continue to serve as a partner in UMPG’s global creative team for the next few years through the joint venture we are establishing. I will also continue to help manage some of the long-standing relationships we have built with our writers and catalogs over the years, as well as provide assistance to your new General Manager, whose appointment will be announced at Town Hall tomorrow by Jody (Jody’s office will send invitations), I wholeheartedly support him. I will be in and out of the office at the end of the year.
It has been a real privilege to lead this British company for the past nine years. Our growth has been phenomenal and I’m very lucky to work with a strong senior team including Tom Foster, Alice Greaves, Ross Greening, Jane Carter, Shirin Foroutan, Natasha Baldwin, Jackie Alway, David Whitewick, Marc Coltman and Pete Simmons. They are all very talented and wonderful people. I am particularly grateful to the unsung heroes Simon Hotchkiss and Rob Morris; without their unwavering support and advice we would not have achieved what we have achieved during my tenure.
I’m very proud of our achievements and the many awards we’ve won together, but the real sense of fulfillment over the past 25 years at UMPG (as Associate MD, then MD) has come from working closely with artists, songwriters and producers to create Incredible music is being created.
A big thank you to Jody Gerson for the opportunity to serve as general manager. Her trust, support and guidance are priceless. Jodi sets the gold standard for creative leadership in music companies, her instincts, taste and work ethic are second to none. I would also like to thank Marc Cimino and JW Beekman; their advice was also critical to our success. UMPG UK will continue to achieve great things under their leadership and that of my successors.
Finally, a big thank you to the entire team. While there are too many people to mention in this note, please know that I extend my gratitude to all of you. It’s not really a goodbye, more like: Goodbye!
