Universal Music Group (UMG) Appoints Jeffrey Harleston to Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs

Universal Music Group (UMG) Appoints Jeffrey Harleston to Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has appointed Jeffrey Harleston to Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs. The appointment, effective immediately, was made today by Michael Ostroff, UMG's General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs Worldwide, and to whom Mr. Harleston reports.

"We're thrilled that Jeff has decided to join our team," stated Mr. Ostroff. "Over the years, he has proved invaluable to UMG in a variety of capacities, displaying true leadership and a keen understanding of the many legal issues which face our industry. Jeff has also been a staunch advocate for artists' rights, championing issues important to the creative community in Washington, DC. We couldn't be more pleased that he'll lend his expertise and insights to UMG in this expanded role."

"It's exciting to begin the next chapter of my career with the world's greatest music company," added Mr. Harleston. "I am grateful to Zach Horowitz (UMG President & COO), Jimmy Iovine (Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M) and Michael for their continued support and confidence in me. I'm looking forward to taking on this broader role in helping shape the growth of UMG in the years to come."

Most recently, Mr. Harleston served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Geffen Records, where he worked with a number of chart-topping artists, including Mary J. Blige, Common, Ashlee Simpson, Snoop Dogg, Angels and Airwaves, Weezer, Rufus Wainwright and Nelly Furtado, among many others.

Mr. Harleston began his tenure with Universal Music Group in 1993, when the company was formerly named MCA Music Entertainment. He held a variety of positions, including Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for MCA Music. Prior to joining MCA, Mr. Harleston served as an Associate Independent Counsel for the Office of Independent Counsel: Iran/Contra in Washington, DC. Formerly, he worked as an Associate with the law firms of Covington & Burling in Washington, DC and Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco, CA.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is 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.

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Source: Universal Music Group

CONTACT: Peter LoFrumento or Grant Pavolka, grant.pavolka@umusic.com,
both of Universal Music Group, +1-212-331-2562

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Profile: International Entertainment