Michael Seltzer Promoted to Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Universal Music Group's East Coast Labels

NEW YORK, June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group (UMG) has promoted Michael Seltzer to Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for East Coast Labels, it was announced today by Steve Gawley, Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs, East Coast Labels, to whom he reports. UMG's East Coast labels include The Island Def Jam Music Group and Universal Republic Records. Formerly, Mr. Seltzer served as Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for The Island Def Jam Music Group. He will continue to be based in New York City.

As part of his expanded duties, Mr. Seltzer will oversee the legal staffs from Island Def Jam and Universal Republic, which will report to him.

"It has been my absolute privilege to work alongside Michael Seltzer for these past 9 years," stated Mr. Gawley. "Michael's critical relationships, business acumen and breadth of experience make him one of the most formidable business affairs executives in entertainment today. His aggressive and skillful pursuit of our executive team's business objectives continue to help make us a fiercely competitive label group."

"UMG's East Coast Label Group has an unparalleled roster of artists, and an exceptionally talented management team. I look forward to working closely with Steve Gawley to aggressively support them on all fronts, while exploring new opportunities to grow our business," added Mr. Seltzer. "I am grateful to Steve for this opportunity, and equally grateful for his friendship and leadership."

During his tenure at The Island Def Jam Music Group, Mr. Seltzer handled a wide range of artist, label and new media negotiations including deals for Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Mariah Carey and Bon Jovi, as well as such heritage artists such as Bob Marley and Johnny Cash. Prior to Island Def Jam, Mr. Seltzer served as Chief Operating Officer of Palm Pictures / Rykodisc, overseeing the film, records, music publishing and distribution business of Chris Blackwell's entertainment company, and as Vice President of Business for Island Records. Mr. Seltzer began his career in entertainment law in 1990 as an attorney at PolyGram Records.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned operations in 60 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, 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 catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalogue 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 Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

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

SOURCE Universal Music Group