Capitol Records has partnered with Universal Music Italy to launch Capitol Records Italy – a new division of the UMG-owned label.
The move will see Italy-based Polydor rebrand as Capitol Records Italy effective immediately.
Polydor’s roster of artists will continue to work with the rebranded label.
The label will continue to operate under the leadership of Daniele Menci, Capitol Records Director.
Capitol Records’ expansion into world’s tenth biggest recorded music market follows a year in which Italian recorded music revenues grew 27.8%, to reach $392.4 million (€332m), up €72m ($85m) versus 2020.
According to stats released by FIMI in January, every album in the Top 20 of the country’s domestic album chart for the full year of 2021 was from a local artist.
Capitol Records has been home to some of the world’s most prominent recording artists, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Nat “King” Cole, Peggy Lee, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, and others.
Today, Capitol artists include Beck, Halsey, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry and Sam Smith.
“We are thrilled that our partner in Italy is rebranding as Capitol Records Italy.”
Michelle Jubelirer, Capitol Music Group
Michelle Jubelirer, Chair and CEO, Capitol Music Group, said: “We are thrilled that our partner in Italy is rebranding as Capitol Records Italy.
“With such talented executives as Alessandro Massara and Daniele Menci heading the company, I’m confident that Italy will grow to be an even more important component in Capitol Music Group’s global strategy.”
“Polydor is one of the fastest growing labels at the moment, with an established team and new leadership who have brought additional creativity and energy to the label.”
Alessandro Massara, Universal Music Italy
Alessandro Massara, President & CEO, Universal Music Italy, said: “Polydor is one of the fastest growing labels at the moment, with an established team and new leadership who have brought additional creativity and energy to the label.
“These factors, combined with the unquestionable numbers in recent months, convinced both Los Angeles and me that this was the right structure for Capitol Records Italy.”
“Building a bridge between Milan and Hollywood and bringing the most iconic music label to Italy is the most exciting challenge of my career in the music industry.
Daniele Menci, Capitol Records
Daniele Menci, Capitol Records Director, UMI, said: “In these few months as Polydor’s label director, I have found great artists, an amazing team and a company (Universal Music Italia) capable of making any goal possible.
“Building a bridge between Milan and Hollywood and bringing the most iconic music label to Italy is the most exciting challenge of my career in the music industry.
“Representing Capitol Records positions us strongly for the future.”Music Business Worldwide
