Universal Republic Records Appoints Jim Roppo to Executive Vice President of Marketing

Universal Republic Records Appoints Jim Roppo to Executive Vice President of Marketing

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Republic Records has expanded its marketing team with the appointment of respected industry veteran Jim Roppo to Executive Vice President of Marketing, it was announced today by the company's Monte Lipman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Avery Lipman, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer, to whom he reports.

Based in New York, Mr. Roppo will lead marketing, digital, video and artist development initiatives for Universal Republic's all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as 3 Doors Down, Amy Winehouse, Black Sabbath, Colbie Caillat, Eddie Vedder, Enrique Iglesias, Florence + the Machine, Godsmack, Owl City, The Rolling Stones, The Voice (NBC-TV), Gotye, Of Monsters & Men, Mayer Hawthorne, among many others. As part of his duties as head of marketing, Mr. Roppo will also work closely with Universal Republic's innovative imprints and digital business ventures including Big Machine (Taylor Swift), Republic Nashville (The Band Perry), Cash Money (Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj), Indie Pop (Dev, The Cataracs), Lava Records (Jessie J, Black Veil Brides), SRC (Akon, Melanie Fiona), Aware Records (Mat Kearney), Brushfire (Jack Johnson, G. Love), Tuff Gong (Damian Marley, Stephen Marley) and Downtown (Miike Snow), among others. Most recently, Mr. Roppo was Senior Vice President, Sales, Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG), since October, 2006, having moved to New York in 2005 as Vice President of Sales for IDJMG.

"As we continue to expand the suite of services that we offer our artists and business partners, Jim is a perfect fit to lead our marketing efforts," stated Monte Lipman. "He possesses a track record of success that is second to none, and is a valued leader who has worked closely with key brand and retail partners throughout his career. I'm confident that his extensive sales and operations background will be a great asset to our talented marketing team as they continue to strengthen our artists' brands in the marketplace."

"Universal Republic has one of the hottest rosters in the industry right now, and I'm excited to work with such a talented group of artists and executives," added Mr. Roppo. "I'd like to thank Monte and Avery for this opportunity and also express my gratitude to my former team at IDJMG for all of their support over the years."

Mr. Roppo had been with IDJMG for 13 years, beginning in 1999 as Regional Sales Director, based in Minneapolis. During that time, he was named Label Sales Rep of the year, UMVD Central Division, for 2001. Prior to IDJ, he spent two years as National Account Manager, PolyGram Group Distribution, starting in 1997. He began his career in music in 1988 at Aron's Records in Los Angeles.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 59 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 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 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

Universal Music Group

CONTACT: CONTACT: Peter LoFrumento or Maria Ho-Burge, +1-212-331-2569, maria.ho-burge@umusic.com, both of Universal Music Group

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