<\/p>\n
Virgin Music Group<\/strong> has unveiled a new global and regional leadership team. It follows VMG<\/strong>\u2018s $775 million<\/strong> acquisition<\/a> of Downtown<\/strong>, which completed in February.<\/p>\n The structure unites senior executives from VMG<\/strong> and Downtown Music<\/strong> under Co-CEOs JT Myers<\/strong> and Nat Pastor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The combined organization is built around six regions, with regional leaders reporting to Myers<\/strong> and Pastor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Nat Pastor<\/strong>, Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group<\/strong>, said: \u201cVirgin Music Group and Downtown have each built their reputations by superserving the independent community and empowering local teams.<\/p>\n \u201cThis combined structure will help grow those strengths, continuing to innovate while deepening the entrepreneurial culture and trusted relationships that will define our future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVirgin Music Group and Downtown have each built their reputations by superserving the independent community and empowering local teams.\u201d<\/p>\n Nat Pastor<\/strong>, Virgin Music Group<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n JT Myers<\/strong>, Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group<\/strong>, added: \u201cOur ambition is to keep expanding what\u2019s possible for the independent music community. That means offering each artist, entrepreneur, label, and rightsholder access to broader capabilities and a more connected global network, while remaining flexible enough to meet them wherever they are in their journey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur ambition is to keep expanding what\u2019s possible for the independent music community.\u201d<\/p>\n JT Myers<\/strong>, Virgin Music Group<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In their respective markets, VMG<\/strong>\u2018s regional and country leaders have oversight of FUGA<\/a><\/strong> and Downtown Artist & Label Services<\/strong>\u2018 local functions, the company said.<\/p>\n Across Virgin\u2019s global services operation, Jeremy Kramer<\/strong> continues as EVP, Global Marketing, and Zack Gershen<\/strong> continues as EVP, Global Commercial & Digital Strategy, both reporting to Myers<\/strong> and Pastor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Reporting to VMG<\/strong> COO Pieter van Rijn<\/strong>, Tom Allen<\/strong> \u2013 a founder of Curve Royalty Systems \u2013 has been named Chief Technology Officer at Virgin, with David Driessen<\/strong> Chief Product Officer.<\/p>\n Christiaan Kr\u00f6ner<\/strong> has been named EVP, Global Operations, while Matt Sawin<\/strong> takes the role of EVP, Physical & Direct-to-Fan Growth, and Gareth Mellor<\/strong> SVP, Communications & Brand Strategy.<\/p>\n Molly Neuman<\/strong> continues as President of CD Baby<\/a><\/strong> and Emily Stephenson<\/strong> continues as President of Downtown Music Publishing<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve brought together an exceptional group of leaders with a shared belief: artists and entrepreneurs deserve the strongest possible partner.\u201d<\/p>\n Pieter van Rijn<\/strong>, Virgin Music Group<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Former Downtown Artist & Label Services<\/strong> President Ben Patterson<\/strong> will lead a new \u201cpremier artist-focused enterprise\u201d in collaboration with Virgin Music Group<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Pieter van Rijn<\/strong>, COO of Virgin Music Group<\/strong>, said: \u201cWe\u2019ve brought together an exceptional group of leaders with a shared belief: artists and entrepreneurs deserve the strongest possible partner.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough the skills and technology of the combined organization, we will give more great music the chance to break through and more creative businesses the platform to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n VMG<\/strong> completed its acquisition of Downtown<\/strong> in February, as previously reported by MBW<\/a>.<\/p>\n The deal was cleared by the European Commission<\/a> a week earlier, subject to Universal Music Group<\/a><\/strong>\u2018s commitment to divest Downtown\u2019s Curve royalty accounting business.<\/p>\n VMG<\/strong> first announced<\/a> the transaction in December 2024, and the closure concluded a regulatory process that ran for more than a year.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n