Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a global leader in music publishing, announced today that Mike McCormack has been named Managing Director U.K. He succeeds Paul Connolly, who is stepping down from his role as President of Europe and Managing Director U.K.
McCormack first joined UMPG’s U.K. business in 1999 as Deputy Managing Director and during that time he signed and worked with artists and songwriters including Adele, Alabama Shakes, Lily Allen, Dangermouse, The Darkness, The Killers, MGMT and Sigur Ros. In his new role, which is effective immediately, McCormack is based in London and reports to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG. For the last three years, he has served in an advisory role to Universal Music Publishing U.K.
In making the announcement, Gerson said, “We’re thrilled to have an executive with Mike’s experience, creativity, and deep artist relationships leading our U.K. company. Mike has been responsible for bringing to UMPG some of the U.K.’s most successful and influential songwriters, and I’m confident that in his new role, he will build upon UMPG’s stature as the industry’s best home for songwriters.”
Gerson continued, “On behalf of everyone here, let me also extend our thanks to Paul Connolly for all of his many contributions through the years. During Paul’s tenure, Universal Music Publishing signed enormously talented songwriters across many musical genres and became a creative force in the U.K. He also assembled an industry-leading creative team that will continue to achieve great things for UMPG and our songwriters.”
On his return to Universal Music Publishing U.K. as Managing Director, McCormack said, “After spending time with Jody, I realised we share the same vision and ambition creatively, so it was a very straightforward decision when she offered me this incredible opportunity to work with her and Marc Cimino to lead the U.K. company and its stellar team to even bigger and better successes.”
McCormack added, “I’m deeply indebted to Paul for his leadership, friendship and support since joining UMPG and I wish him nothing but the best with his future plans. He is an exceptional person as well as a brilliant executive and we have had a lot of fun, as well as great success, working together over the years.”
Prior to Universal Music Publishing, McCormack was at 19 Music Publishing, where he helped Simon Fuller set up the company’s sports agency and worked across its roster of music artists and TV projects, including the creation of S Club 7. He was Director of A&R at RCA Records and was part of the label’s team that worked with the original line up Take That. He also worked closely with Annie Lennox and Morrissey on their solo projects. Before joining RCA, McCormack led the A&R team at Virgin Music Publishing that signed The Verve and The Prodigy, among many others. He originally joined Virgin as an A&R Manager and signed artists including Terence Trent D’Arby, Stereo MCs and all the original members of Take That.
