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BARNETT'S LETTER TO TEAM CMG

Announcing that he will retire on 12/31, Capitol Music Group supremo Steve Barnett addressed company personnel with this heartfelt message, in which he praised his entire team, UMG topper Sir Lucian Grainge and incoming leadership dyad Jeff Vaughn and Michelle Jubelirer. "Our shared journey is coming to an end," reads the subject line. Barnett's gracious missive (presented below in its entirety) serves as a coda to an executive career that is truly one for the record books.

To my CMG family,

After nearly fifty years in the music industry, I will be retiring at the end of this year. This has been a long-planned decision and one that I made in conjunction with Nancy and my children through many hours of discussion and soul-searching. Throughout my decades in the industry, I’ve been fortunate to build relationships with so many artists and colleagues who have enriched my life and brought me experiences that I never could have imagined when I first broke into this business so many years ago.

While I’ve been fortunate to lead several companies along the way, my most rewarding experience, by far, has been my time leading the team here at Capitol Music Group. Lucian demonstrated such remarkable foresight in acquiring EMI, and providing us with everything we needed to create CMG. I am indebted to him for his unwavering belief in me and his unreserved support for our efforts these entire eight years. To say that I will always be grateful to him is truly an understatement.

Michelle Jubelirer was the first to join me here and has been my partner in revitalizing the company and creating an environment where our artists and all of you could thrive. Thank you, Michelle.

From the moment Jeff Vaughn joined us, I knew he’d quickly make his mark on Capitol, and I’m certain that he and Michelle are the perfect team to guide CMG into the future. As you will read in the accompanying press release, Jeff has been promoted to Chairman & CEO, and Michelle to President & COO, of Capitol Music Group. They will lead a senior management team that has been crucial to our success, and to whom I owe my deepest gratitude.

I know that each of you will bring your passion for music, your expertise and your very best work ethic to strengthen and invigorate the CMG team that Jeff and Michelle are now leading. Just as you all did for me.

My appreciation extends to Boyd Muir and my many friends at UMG who have been there for us these past eight years.

Most of all, I want to express my deepest thanks to all of you, my CMG family. Together, we brought the company up from the cellar to its stature as one of the industry’s leading label groups. You all worked so hard and with such commitment to our artists and their music, but I also hope you had fun along the way. I know I did.

While I will be here throughout the end of this year, the transition to new leadership begins today.

Warmest Regards,

Steve

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