Arjun Pulijal is leaving his role as President of Capitol Music Group (CMG).
Pulijal, an 11-year veteran of CMG, was promoted to President of CMG in January 2022. The exec joined Capitol in 2013 as a Director of Marketing, rising to Vice President in 2017.
News of his exit was announced in an internal memo to staff on Monday (March 4). “In a bittersweet & appropriately full-circle turn of events, today I am announcing that I have made the decision to leave my position as President of Capitol Music Group,” reads Pulijal’s memo, obtained by MBW.
He will officially be departing later this month, according to the memo.
Prior to joining Capitol, Pulijal spent seven years at Epic Records in New York, first in A&R and then throughout various departments, including Publicity and Digital, before becoming a Marketing Director in 2009.
During his time at Epic, Pulijal worked on projects for Modest Mouse, Fiona Apple, Shakira, Death Grips, Incubus and more.
Pulijal also previously served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Capitol Records.
Pulijal’s promotion in January 2022 marked one of the first big executive moves from Michelle Jubelirer after the latter exec was promoted to Chair and CEO of Capitol Music Group (CMG) in December 2021.
Jubelirer stepped down from her role as Chair & CEO of Capitol Music Group at the beginning of last month.
Within his memo to staff, which you can read in full below, Pulijal said that it “is surreal and difficult to say goodbye to a company I’ve called home for over a decade”.
He added: “I feel for all of those people exiting the company this past week, many of whom didn’t have the luxury of choice like I did”.
Pulijal continued: “I leave with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the artists and staff, & wish the new leadership – John Janick, Steve Berman, Tom March, & Lillia Parsa – nothing but the best moving forward.
Last week, Universal Music Group confirmed details of a “re-designing” of its wider organizational structure, which it said will generate EUR €250 million (USD $270 million) in annual cost savings.
UMG said that this “redesign” – which includes “headcount reduction”, aka layoffs – will result in €75 million ($81 million) of cost-savings in 2024 (vs. 2023).
Those annual cost savings (vs. 2023) will then expand to €125 million in 2025, before eventually reaching €250 million by the end of 2026.
Last month, Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge unveiled a restructuring of the company’s labels in the world’s biggest music market, in a move that affects Capitol Music Group.
Under the new model, Interscope Geffen A&M’s John Janick and Republic Records‘ Monte Lipman will increase the number of labels under their command.
Janick will provide support and leadership to Blue Note, Capitol, Geffen, Interscope, Motown, Priority and Verve; Lipman will take responsibility for Def Jam, Island, Mercury and Republic.
You can read Arjun Pulijal’s memo in full below:
Farewell & Thank You
Today marks my 11 year anniversary at Capitol Music Group.
11 years of aspiring to help artists of all types in whatever way I could.
11 years of a commitment to honor an iconic music company’s legacy and embrace disruption to modernize it in equal measure.
11 years of working with incredible people and building relationships that transcend the word ‘colleague’.
In a bittersweet & appropriately full-circle turn of events, today I am announcing that I have made the decision to leave my position as President of Capitol Music Group.
It is surreal and difficult to say goodbye to a company I’ve called home for over a decade. I’ve had the unique experience of growing my career at Capitol. From campaign builder to artist confidant to leader, I’ve seen this company through many lenses. We’ve always valued storytelling to help artists connect with audiences, so I of course couldn’t depart without telling a story:
When I assumed the position of President, I received many notes of congratulations from past Capitol employees that I’d never met, many of whom worked for the company decades ago and had long since departed. It was evident that this iconic company continues to hold such an important place in people’s lives and music history. One such note pointed out that I was named President exactly 50 years after the legendary late Bhaskar Menon held the same position.
As a person of Indian descent and one of the (sadly) few AAPI leaders in music, knowing that someone with my same cultural background succeeded in this role was beyond inspiring. I read everything I could about his intrepid life and career, including speaking with colleagues and his family. While he achieved monumental success with artists and records, it was clear the most enduring part of his legacy was how he treated people. He embraced constructive confrontation, leading with honesty and grace. These were virtues I always aimed to honor.
It’s about people first.
When artists ask me why they need a label, I always say “it’s about the people.”
I feel for all of those people exiting the company this past week, many of whom didn’t have the luxury of choice like I did. Know that you and I are leaving on a high note. You were all a vital part of the success we had over the last few years in particular. We built a company based on a shared love of music, artistry, creativity, diversity, transparency, empathy, and efficiency in a complex and unforgiving marketplace….and we had historic success doing it. I will carry those values forward into the future, to wherever my journey goes from here. When I figure it out, you all will be the first to know.
I leave with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the artists and staff, & wish the new leadership – John Janick, Steve Berman, Tom March, & Lillia Parsa – nothing but the best moving forward. I will be available to help in the background with transition over the coming weeks before officially departing later this month.
Thank You.
Music Business Worldwide