Michael Taylor Exits Universal Music Australia

One particular of Australia’s most effective A&R executives, Michael Taylor, has exposed plans to leave his article as taking care of director of Common Songs Australia.

He is the 3rd large-profile chief to walk absent from the company this yr.

TMN understands Taylor knowledgeable staffers on Thursday afternoon, revealing he will exit the organization for personalized explanations and to devote far more time to ongoing remedies. Even so, he will continue being an A&R consultant on find initiatives.

On July 7, UMA introduced the marketing of Nicole Richards to joint controlling director, alongside Taylor. Prior to becoming a member of UMA, Richards put in six yrs at EMI and Virgin Documents in Australia. She will now direct the Island staff, solo.

“I depart my place leaving Island Information Australia in the really gifted, knowledgeable, and able palms of Nicole Richards, who will oversee all facets of the label, driving Island artists forward for accomplishment,” Taylor emailed staff.

“Nicole and I have worked with each other for lots of a long time, and I know her rigorous enthusiasm for achievement and enjoy for our Island artists is unwavering.

“She’s a real chief in the business enterprise.”

Taylor, a broadly highly regarded chief in the Australian songs sector, joined UMA in 2007 from Epic Documents in New York as the founding standard supervisor and head of UMA imprint, Island Information Australia. He also beforehand labored for Sony Tunes in Australia the place he A&R’d Delta Goodrem’s multi-Platinum “Innocent Eyes” album.

He has been instrumental in escalating the major’s domestic roster, signing a extended record of homegrown superstars together with Hilltop Hoods, Havana Brown, Baker Boy, Briggs, Clare Bowditch, Shane Nicholson, The McClymonts and Dean Lewis.

“I think Island Documents Australia has become that label and the upcoming is quite fascinating for the artists on Island,” Taylor additional.

“The label continues to embrace that ethos.

“I would like to thank George, Nicole and all these who I have labored closely with more than the past 15 decades, and most of all, the artists and administrators.”

Pictured: Michael Taylor. Photographer: Daniel Boud.

Taylor’s exit arrives amid a time period of upheaval and a renewed emphasis on cultural adjust at the Australian branch of the world’s most significant document corporation.

Thursday’s announcement follows the departure of UMA’s joint running director Darren Aboud in July, and the retirement of EMI Songs Australia’s managing director, John O’Donnell. O’Donnell’s last day is Friday (September 30).

UMA president George Ash thanked Taylor for his contribution, and for his integral position in escalating Island into “the powerhouse label” that it is these days.

“[Taylor’s] eyesight and belief in our artists helped unearth and break plenty of new Australian skills, develop careers, and deliver wonderful essential and industrial good results above the past fifteen yrs,” Ash stated.

“I appear forward to continuing to operate with him as a specialist on initiatives in the long term and want him and his spouse and children the pretty finest health and fitness and pleasure.”

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How did we get listed here? A timeline of Universal Songs Australia’s Culture Reset:

August 9, 2021: Universal New music Australia Launches Workplace Tradition Investigation
Oct 6, 2021: Ben Facey Out of Universal Songs
June 9, 2022: UMA Launches Society Activity Force: Go through The Internal Memo (Distinctive)
June 20, 2022: Universal Tunes Australia Faces Clean Workplace Misconduct Investigation (Exclusive)
June 22, 2022: Common Music’s World wide HR Boss, Eric Hutcherson, Comes in Australia Amid Tradition Crisis (Exceptional)
July 6, 2022: Darren Aboud Exits Universal Audio Australia (Exceptional)
July 7, 2022: Common Music Reveals Management Variations, John O’Donnell Retires
July 25, 2022: Common Music’s World-wide HR Boss, Eric Hutcherson, Again in Australia (Unique)