Universal Music Distribution (UMD) Appoints Candace Berry to Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing

News provided by

Feb 19, 2010, 10:28 ET

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), the award winning sales and marketing division of Universal Music Group, has appointed Candace Berry to Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Universal Music Distribution (UMD), it was announced today by Jim Urie, President & CEO of the company and Amanda Marks, Executive Vice President and General Manager of UMD, to whom Ms. Berry reports.

"We are fortunate to have someone of Candace's caliber and credibility stepping into this new and expanded role at UMD," stated Ms. Marks. "Her extensive experience, incredible work ethic and keen insights make her an ideal fit for this key position. Candace will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand our market-leading suite of services for our partners and artists through this exciting yet challenging time in our industry."

"While it was not an easy decision to move on from Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA), I am truly grateful to Jim and Amanda for this exciting opportunity," added Ms. Berry. "It has been a privilege to work closely with Jimmy Iovine (Chairman & CEO, IGA) and Steve Berman (President of Sales & Marketing, IGA). I am now looking forward to being part of the UMGD family, a company uniquely positioned in the music landscape, and one designed to raise the bar for our partner labels and their artists."

Most recently, Ms. Berry served as head of sales for Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA), where she spearheaded sales and marketing efforts on behalf of such chart-topping artists as U2, Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige, Pussycat Dolls, Eminem, Sting and Sheryl Crow, among many others. Prior to joining IGA, Ms. Berry served as Vice President of Zoo Records and also held a number of positions with BMG Distribution National Marketing as well as Arista Regional Sales.

UMGD consists of four major divisions: Universal Music Distribution (UMD); Fontana, a worldwide distributor of independent music labels; Vivendi Entertainment, the largest independent DVD distribution company in the U.S. and also a theatrical distributor; and Universal Music Christian Group. It distributes the music from such companies as Universal Motown Republic Group, Island Def Jam Music Group, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, A&M/Octone Records, MCA Nashville, Lost Highway, Mercury Nashville, Verve Music Group, Decca Label Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Music Enterprises, Hip–O, UTV, Sanctuary Records, Disa, Machete Music, ABKCO, Concord Music Group, Hollywood, Lyric Street, Fonovisa, Walt Disney, Big Machine, VI Music, Sybersound, Hidden Beach and Palm Pictures. The company also represents a world-famous roster of artists: U2, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, 50 Cent, Sting, Jay-Z, Andrea Bocelli, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Sugarland, Maroon 5, Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas, Akon, and Fall Out Boy, and many others.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. 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, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Show Dog–Universal Music, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino 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 eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.

SOURCE Universal Music Group