MIAMI, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Latin Entertainment (UMLE), the world's leading Latin music company, has promoted Skander Goucha to Senior Vice President of Digital. The announcement was made today by Jesus Lopez, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula and head of UMLE, Walter Kolm, President of Universal Music Latino and Machete, and Gustavo Lopez, President of Disa and Fonovisa. Formerly, Mr. Goucha served as Vice President of Digital for UMLE, and he will continue to report to Walter Kolm and Gus Lopez.

Based in Miami, Mr. Goucha will lead the development and implementation of UMLE's digital strategy in key markets, while working closely with all of UMLE's divisions to continue to explore, develop and capitalize on new digital opportunities and business models.

Most recently, Mr. Goucha played a key role in significantly expanding UMLE's position in the mobile music market through a number of digital initiatives involving the company's market-leading Regional Mexican music roster and catalog. He has also been instrumental in securing major marketing campaigns for such UMLE artists as Luis Fonsi and Enrique Iglesias, among others, as well as in developing and implementing a number of highly successful online direct-to-consumer and fan-related activities for such artists as Luis Fonsi, Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel, Marc Antonio Solis and La Arrolladora Banda El Limon, among many others.

Mr. Goucha possesses more than a decade of experience as a leading marketer and strategist in the digital music arena. His background also includes serving as Director of Digital for Universal Music Latino, and managing mobile marketing and operations at Universal Music Latin America. Prior to joining UMG's Latin music division, he was in charge of developing mobile music products and services across Europeat Universal Music Mobile International. Mr. Goucha joined Vivendi in 2000 as a part of Vivendi's internet team.

"Since we launched UMLE, we have taken an aggressive and progressive approach to expanding the digital marketplace for our artists," stated Walter Kolm, President of Universal Music Latino and Machete. "And there is no one better to lead this effort than Skander. He is a true innovator who has helped position UMLE at the forefront of the digital revolution and at the cutting edge of new business models."

"As we further our leadership in the marketplace, we are continuing to strengthen our operations and services to our artists and business partners," commented Gus Lopez, President of Disa and Fonovisa. "And that means shoring up our frontlines with dynamic executives such as Skander. Over the last few years, his understanding of today's digital landscape, record of building teams that deliver results and music savvy, have benefited UMLE and its artists immeasurably. The entire company joins us in congratulating him on this well-deserved promotion."

"I am very grateful to Jesus, Walter and Gus for their continued support and enthusiasm," added Mr. Goucha. "It is a tremendous opportunity and I am really looking forward to continuing my work with such a dynamic group of artists, executives and digital partners to bring our music to the marketplace in as many innovative ways as possible."

Mr. Goucha is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique (Paris, France) and holds a Master's degree in finance from Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Administration Economique (Paris, France).

About Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Universal Music Latin Entertainment (UMLE) is comprised of Universal Music Latino, Machete, Fonovisa, Disa, Universal Music Mexico & Central America, the Edimonsa, Disa, Fonovisa and Universal Latin publishing catalogs, and GTS Global Talent Services, a management service division. UMLE is a division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

Universal Music Group's record labels include Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Records South, 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; Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.

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

SOURCE Universal Music Group

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