Universal Music Group (UMG) Expands Global Digital Team With Promotion of Simon Watt to Head of Technology, Global Digital Group

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing with the expansion of its global digital operation, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has promoted Simon Watt to Head of Technology, Global Digital Group, it was announced today by Rob Wells, President of Global Digital Business, to whom Mr. Watt reports. Formerly, Mr. Watt served as Vice President of Technology for Universal Music Group International. 

Based in Los Angeles, Mr. Watt will play a key role in helping to drive the ongoing globalization of UMG's digital businesses. He will be responsible for developing and supporting strategic technical engagements with partners, developing new technology solutions, integrating new business models into the company's systems and implementing their rollout to international markets. Mr. Watt will continue to work closely with the major technology companies including Apple, Google, YouTube, Spotify and Microsoft, on behalf of UMG's record labels and operating companies worldwide. 

"As the demand for digital music continues to grow, we are committed to working with those innovative companies in bringing new and dynamic services to fans everywhere," stated Mr. Wells. "And having a results-driven executive of Simon's caliber and experience lead our technology group demonstrates that we've got the best talent in place to maximize many of these opportunities in the current marketplace." 

"This is an exciting time for music and technology and I am truly grateful to Rob for the opportunity to play an even larger role in shaping our digital business," added Mr. Watt. "We have taken a more progressive approach to working with our technology partners, while at the same time, being very responsive to what our artists, consumers and retailers want. We are determined to help create, support and nurture the very best services in the world for fans and artists alike." 

Prior to joining Universal Music in 2004, Mr. Watt spent 11 years at electronics firm ARM, latterly as Director of Research.  He is the inventor of proprietary computing and microchip architecture, and has 20 patents in his name, many of which are used in the ~5B ARM processors shipped annually. 

About Universal Music Group 

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation. 

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Show Dog–Universal Music, Universal Music Latino, Universal Republic and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division. 

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.

SOURCE Universal Music Group