RUMOR MILL
"The heritage within Caroline is awesome, and we hope we can continue to do the name proud."
——Jim Chancellor
Thursday, August 8, 2013
CAROLINE, YES
UMG Launches Caroline International, Led by Roe-Chancellor Team, With Peter Gabriel and Korn Among the First Batch of Releases
Caroline has just gone up several dress sizes.
UMG is launching Caroline International, the company announced today in London, where the new division will be based. Led by Managing Director Michael Roe and Joint Managing Director and Head of Music Jim Chancellor (it says “Joint”—heh-heh), Caroline International offers label services, sales and distribution around the world through dedicated teams on the ground in the U.K., Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Latin America and Asia.
“Being an old Virgin boy, Caroline was a label I always admired,” says Roe, striking a casual pose, “so to be offered the opportunity to be involved with the name and its rich heritage is a great honour. Jim and I aim to bring together the culture and spirit of independents with the support and resources of a major music company to deliver a truly global solution. Having a label base in all major markets staffed with dedicated Caroline people supported by a significant and dedicated international marketing team and our colleagues at Caroline in the U.S. gives us a unique global reach."
Not to be out done, Chancellor offers, "I'm really proud to be a part of Caroline. Artists and managers are looking for solid labels to work with and people they can trust. In Michael, I have a partner who is proven to be THE best at label services, and I am honored to working with him. We can offer A&R input, if required, but most importantly, we can be a great independently minded label partner. The heritage within Caroline is awesome, and we hope we can continue to do the name proud."
The first release under the Caroline International umbrella will be Peter Gabriel's And I'll Scratch Yours on 9/23. Other artists and labels now part of the family include Korn, Yuck, Century Media, Metropolis and Vanguard.
According to the release, Caroline International and Universal Music will operate on an “arms-length basis,” enabling the distribbery to deliver a “bespoke” service to indie labels and artists in every market and region of the world. The newco will provide services through its dedicated teams that include marketing, promotion, A&R, commercial, synch and admin services, while leveraging the global reach of UMG's sales and distribution platforms.
Here’s the skinny on the executive team:
Michael Roe founded the international arm of EMI Label Services in 2008 and built the unit into one of the most successful independent-service companies in the market.
Jim Chancellor is the MD of Fiction Records, which he revived in 2004. Fiction is home to artists including Elbow and Snow Patrol. Chancellor will continue to run Fiction alongside his new role, and acts signed to Fiction will now have the option to be released through Caroline International.
Roe and Chancellor report to President of Global Marketing Andrew Kronfeld. In his Fiction role, Chancellor continues to report to Universal Music U.K. Chairman/CEO David Joseph.
UMG is launching Caroline International, the company announced today in London, where the new division will be based. Led by Managing Director Michael Roe and Joint Managing Director and Head of Music Jim Chancellor (it says “Joint”—heh-heh), Caroline International offers label services, sales and distribution around the world through dedicated teams on the ground in the U.K., Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Latin America and Asia.
“Being an old Virgin boy, Caroline was a label I always admired,” says Roe, striking a casual pose, “so to be offered the opportunity to be involved with the name and its rich heritage is a great honour. Jim and I aim to bring together the culture and spirit of independents with the support and resources of a major music company to deliver a truly global solution. Having a label base in all major markets staffed with dedicated Caroline people supported by a significant and dedicated international marketing team and our colleagues at Caroline in the U.S. gives us a unique global reach."
Not to be out done, Chancellor offers, "I'm really proud to be a part of Caroline. Artists and managers are looking for solid labels to work with and people they can trust. In Michael, I have a partner who is proven to be THE best at label services, and I am honored to working with him. We can offer A&R input, if required, but most importantly, we can be a great independently minded label partner. The heritage within Caroline is awesome, and we hope we can continue to do the name proud."
The first release under the Caroline International umbrella will be Peter Gabriel's And I'll Scratch Yours on 9/23. Other artists and labels now part of the family include Korn, Yuck, Century Media, Metropolis and Vanguard.
According to the release, Caroline International and Universal Music will operate on an “arms-length basis,” enabling the distribbery to deliver a “bespoke” service to indie labels and artists in every market and region of the world. The newco will provide services through its dedicated teams that include marketing, promotion, A&R, commercial, synch and admin services, while leveraging the global reach of UMG's sales and distribution platforms.
Here’s the skinny on the executive team:
Michael Roe founded the international arm of EMI Label Services in 2008 and built the unit into one of the most successful independent-service companies in the market.
Jim Chancellor is the MD of Fiction Records, which he revived in 2004. Fiction is home to artists including Elbow and Snow Patrol. Chancellor will continue to run Fiction alongside his new role, and acts signed to Fiction will now have the option to be released through Caroline International.
Roe and Chancellor report to President of Global Marketing Andrew Kronfeld. In his Fiction role, Chancellor continues to report to Universal Music U.K. Chairman/CEO David Joseph.
