SANTA MONICA, CA - Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced the appointment of Marc Cimino to the newly created global position of Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Cimino will report to Jody Gerson, UMPG’s Chairman and CEO, and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Santa Monica.

Cimino joins UMPG from Warner Bros. Records, where he was Executive Vice President & Head of Business & Legal Affairs and a member of the company’s core executive team.

In this newly created role at UMPG, Cimino will focus on the company’s global business strategy, including playing a key role in guiding public policy and business development.

In making the announcement, Gerson said, “At this time in our business, it’s important we work with a global perspective and more closely with our record label partners. Marc’s broad experience in recorded music will help bolster our organization and bring a broader industry approach to everything we do, and to the ultimate benefit of our artists and writers.”

Cimino said: “I’m grateful and excited to be working for such a dynamic visionary like Jody and for Universal Music Publishing Group. I look forward to working with the entire team around the world, andwith our labels and tech partners as we face a rapidly changing business environment with many new opportunities and challenges.”

During his ten years at Warner Bros. Records, Cimino rose from Vice President to Executive Vice President, heading up the Business and Legal Affairs and A&R Administration departments, and playing an integral part of the company’s strategy in both traditional and new business initiatives. As part of his role at Warner Bros. Records, he participated in the company’s government affairs initiatives and spearheaded the structuring and negotiation of agreements with the label’s major recording artists.

Prior to Warner Bros. Records, from 1998 to 2004, Cimino held business affairs and business development roles at Sony Music Entertainment.