UMG'S AUDIO ORACLE

Universal Music Group has decided Giles Martin has ears. UMG has created a job for him— Head of Audio & Sound—from which he will lead the company’s exploration and adoption of emerging audio formats and consumer technology.

Son of late producer George Martin, Giles has overseen Beatles projects such as LOVE and the expanded editions of Sgt. Pepper and The White Album.

He will be based at Abbey Road Studios in London.

“We’ve worked very closely with Giles through his work with The Beatles at Abbey Road and he’s increasingly become part of the wider Universal Music family,” Universal Music UK Chairman and CEO David Joseph said. “As well as being an innovative and exceptionally versatile producer, he shares our passion for excellence in how music is heard. Giles’ unique approach means that as formats and services change there’s no-one better to ensure we are best-serving artists, producers and fans in terms of audio delivery.”

Martin is charged with improving audio fidelity and encouraging artists signed to UMG’s record labels to experiment in the company’s spaces for composition and recording.

Besides his Beatles work, he has worked on films such as Ron Howard’s documentary The Beatles: Eight Days A Week—The Touring Years, and produced music for the forthcoming Elton John biopic Rocketman.

He produced Kula Shaker, My Life Story and Hayley Westenra and has worked with Jeff Beck, Kate Bush, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell and Sting. He recently became Executive Music Director for INXS and their label Petrol Records, and he serves as the Sound Experience leader for SONOS.

“Over the past few years, UMG has made significant investments to expand our leadership position across this exciting area of music and video creation,” said Michael Frey, UMG’s President, Global Supply Chain and Media Services. “As an incredibly talented artist and producer himself, Giles instinctively sees the potential of what lies ahead and innately understands how to leverage technology to harness new forms of artistic expression.”

Martin noted, "New technology should ensure the artist can now connect directly with the listener and it’s our job as the music industry to make sure that connection is as clear and direct as possible. UMG artists have the best recording facilities in the world. We need to encourage artists to innovate and create great sounding music and to make sure this can be heard by everyone in the best way possible.”