UMG DIGITAL HEAD ROB WELLS EXITS AFTER 14 YEARS

In a memo to UMG staff this morning, President of Global Digital Business Rob Wells revealed this morning that he’s leaving the company. No specific replacement is expected to be named.

“When I started working with Lucian more than 14 years ago, neither of us could have imagined the digital possibilities in store for our business,” Well wrote in the email. “Apple wouldn’t launch the iTunes Store for several years to come—and YouTube, Pandora, Vevo and Spotify weren’t even ideas on a white board.

“Together, we helped build Universal Music Group’s digital business from its infancy into a global leader. At every turn, we pushed the industry forward, making sure our business model adapted to the way that consumers wanted to listen to music while insuring that our artists shared in all the new revenue streams… There are more ways to listen to music today than at any time in the long history of the industry—and I feel incredibly proud of our role in that accomplishment.

“Just as we couldn’t imagine the extent of digital opportunities that lay ahead of us all those years ago, that is a fraction of the possibilities that await over the next 15 years.”

Grainge followed Wells’ memo with one of his own, thanking his colleague “for his many contributions over the years. The significance of what he accomplished while at UMG cannot be understated. And for that, we will forever be thankful. I will miss Rob’s professionalism, his sense of humor and his commitment to our artists and labels.”

Grainge said the company “will be making announcements in the coming days.” According to UMG insiders, Wells’ various responsibilities will be shared by several individuals or teams.