Universal Music’s Latin operation will announce today (June 29) two major appointments in its executive leadership for North and Central America, Biz has learned.
In what constitutes a major change in its organization, Universal Music Latin Entertainment (UMLE)–which encompasses U.S. labels Universal Music Latino, Machete Music, Fonovisa and Disa, plus Universal Music Mexico & Central America–has appointed Victor González to the newly-created position of president, UMLE. In addition, Gustavo López has been appointed to the also newly-created position of executive VP of brand partnerships, business development and digital.
Both executives will report to Jesús López, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula.
“Creating these new positions will enable us to further expand the services we provide our artists,” said Jesús López in a statement. “And there is no one better for these new roles than Víctor and Gustavo; both represent the very best in creative leadership and business management, and I’m confident that each play a key role in helping us maintain our market leading position.”
The new appointments will more closely centralize in all respects the operations of UMLE, which is the leading Latin music label in the country. Here in the U.S., the company’s management was previously divided by genre, with regional Mexican music and pop and urban falling under different heads.
Now González, who most recently headed Universal Mexico and Central America, will oversee all UMLE operations for all its labels-both pop and regional Mexican-in the U.S. He will also continue to oversee Mexico and Central America. A veteran with 18 years in the business, González was previously managing director of Universal’s operations in the Southern Cone.
At the same time, Gustavo López, who was president of regional Mexican labels Disa and Fonovisa, will now take on an expanded role overseeing UMLE’s growing new business development arena, creating and implementing digital and branding initiatives throughout the company. In addition to reporting to Jesus López (no relation) he will also report to González. López took over Disa and Fonovisa-the leading regional Mexican labels in the country–after launching Machete, the first full service label from a major company dedicated to urban Latin music.
Just last month, Walter Kolm left his post as president of Universal Music Latino and Machete–the pop and urban labels of UMLE– to manage Mexican superstar Cristian Castro, who is signed to the label.
Other artists signed to UMLE’s labels include Enrique Iglesias, Don Omar, Los Tigres del Norte, Marco Antonio Solis and Luis Fonsi.