Universal Music Group has promoted Frank Briegmann to Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada & Deutsche Grammophon.
The appointment, announced on Thursday (October 1), expands the remit of Briegmann, who will continue to report to Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group.
Briegmann was previously Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon.
UMG said the new structure is “designed to create more opportunities for artists across borders by increasing agility and enabling closer collaboration”.
Briegmann will work with the established leadership in each market, including Olivier Nusse, CEO of Universal Music France; Sean Warner, President & CEO of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand; and Julie Adam, President & CEO of Universal Music Canada.
“Just as importantly, he respects what makes every market different and knows how to give great local leaders the freedom and support to succeed.”
Sir Lucian Grainge
As part of the expanded role, Briegmann will also work with UMG‘s leadership in Europe, including the UK and Iberia.
Spain will continue to be led by Luis Fernández, President of Universal Music Spain, and Portugal by Ana Hernandez, Managing Director, Portugal, both reporting to Jesús López.
The United Kingdom will continue to be led by Dickon Stainer, Chairman & CEO, UK, reporting to Grainge.
“Frank and I have worked together for more than 20 years, and he’s a fierce artist champion with a proven track record of building long-term careers,” said Grainge. “He combines creative expertise with business acumen and the insights of data and technology.
“Just as importantly, he respects what makes every market different and knows how to give great local leaders the freedom and support to succeed. Frank’s promotion is all about the power of possibility; making it easier for artists, ideas, and opportunities to travel across borders.”
“Our responsibility is to understand and nurture what makes each market dynamic and distinctive, while giving artists the investment, local expertise, and global reach to realize their full potential.”
Frank Briegmann
“Great artists can emerge anywhere, and today they can find an audience almost everywhere,” said Briegmann. “That makes strong local expertise more important. Our responsibility is to understand and nurture what makes each market dynamic and distinctive, while giving artists the investment, local expertise, and global reach to realize their full potential.
“I’m grateful to Lucian for his trust and this new opportunity to take on this broader responsibility. Over the years, I have seen what becomes possible when great local teams work closely together across borders. I look forward to building on that experience with this exceptional group of leaders and creating even more opportunities for artists throughout these markets and around the world.”
Briegmann joined Universal Music in 2004 as CEO of its German business, becoming what the company describes as the youngest executive ever to lead a major music company in Germany.
His remit later grew to cover Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe, and he oversaw classical label Deutsche Grammophon globally.
Before joining Universal, Briegmann worked at Bertelsmann Music Group from 1995 to 2004, finishing his tenure as Senior Vice President, International.
The promotion follows a series of structural changes across UMG.
In March, Universal Music Nordics unified its units in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltics under its “One Nordic” model, reporting to Briegmann.
At the end of March, Universal Music appointed three executives to senior roles across its Latin America and U.S. Latino operations, reporting to Jesús López, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula.
Briegmann is a board member of the Federal Association of the Music Industry and serves on Deutsche Bank‘s Eastern Regional Advisory Board.
He also sits on the boards of trustees of the C/O Berlin Foundation and the German Sports Aid Foundation (Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe).
Elsewhere at UMG, Libby Bush was this week named President, Global Brands and Commercial Partnerships, while former Spotify executive Òscar Celma has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Applied AI and Machine Learning.Music Business Worldwide
Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced the promotion of Frank Briegmann to the position of Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Deutsche Grammophon. This decision, made public on October 1, signifies an expansion of Briegmann’s responsibilities within the company, where he will continue to report to Sir Lucian Grainge, the Chairman & CEO of UMG. Prior to this appointment, Briegmann held the roles of Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon.
The new organizational structure established by UMG aims to enhance opportunities for artists by fostering collaboration across different markets and increasing operational agility. Briegmann will work alongside established leadership figures in various regions, including Olivier Nusse (CEO of Universal Music France), Sean Warner (President & CEO of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand), and Julie Adam (President & CEO of Universal Music Canada). Sir Lucian Grainge commented on Briegmann’s promotion, emphasizing his long-standing advocacy for artists and his adeptness at balancing creative vision with business strategy. Grainge highlighted Briegmann’s ability to understand and support local leaders, which is crucial for the success of UMG’s diverse market presence.
As part of his expanded role, Briegmann will also collaborate with UMG’s European leadership, including operations in the UK and Iberia. Leadership in Spain will remain under Luis Fernández, while Ana Hernandez will continue to oversee operations in Portugal. In the UK, Dickon Stainer will maintain his position as Chairman & CEO, reporting directly to Grainge.
Briegmann expressed gratitude for the opportunity and trust bestowed upon him by Grainge, underscoring the importance of local expertise in fostering strong relationships with artists. He stated, “Great artists can emerge anywhere, and today they can find an audience almost everywhere.” This sentiment reflects the evolving nature of the music industry, where local dynamics play a critical role in artist development and international reach.
Frank Briegmann joined Universal Music in 2004 as the CEO of its German operations and quickly established himself as a significant figure in the industry, being recognized as the youngest executive to lead a major music company in Germany at the time. Over the years, his responsibilities have expanded to cover various regions, including Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe, as well as overseeing the classical music label Deutsche Grammophon on a global scale. Before joining UMG, Briegmann served at Bertelsmann Music Group from 1995 to 2004, culminating in his role as Senior Vice President, International.
This promotion comes on the heels of several structural changes within UMG, reflecting the company’s strategic adaptation to the evolving music landscape. For instance, in March, UMG Nordics consolidated its operations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltics under a unified “One Nordic” model, which also reports to Briegmann. Additionally, UMG recently appointed three executives to senior positions within its Latin America and U.S. Latino operations, reporting to Jesús López, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula.
Beyond his executive roles, Briegmann actively contributes to various organizations as a board member of the Federal Association of the Music Industry and a member of Deutsche Bank’s Eastern Regional Advisory Board. He is also involved with the C/O Berlin Foundation and the German Sports Aid Foundation (Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe), showcasing his commitment to both the music industry and broader community initiatives.
Moreover, UMG recently made additional appointments to strengthen its leadership team. Libby Bush was appointed as President of Global Brands and Commercial Partnerships, while former Spotify executive Òscar Celma joined as Senior Vice President of Applied AI and Machine Learning.
Briegmann’s promotion is seen as a pivotal move for UMG as it navigates the complexities of the global music industry. His focus on collaboration, local expertise, and fostering artist development is expected to create new opportunities for musicians across borders, aligning with UMG’s mission to enhance the global reach of its artists. As the music industry continues to evolve, Briegmann’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping UMG’s strategy and operational success in the years to come.
