Universal Music Canada CEO Randy Lennox is leaving the business to become President of Entertainment Production and Broadcasting at Bell Media, the market’s largest television, radio and digital media company.
He will be replaced by Jeffrey Remedios, who will step in as President and Chief Executive Officer of the UMG company on September 21.
Remedios is co-founder of Arts & Crafts, one of Canada’s foremost independent labels and artist services companies.
Also housing artist management, merchandising and publishing operations, A&C’s artists have won 20 JUNO Awards.
The firm was founded in 2003 by Remedios and fellow former Virgin Music Canada exec Kevin Drew – who also co-founded the influential band Broken Social Scene.
As well as Broken Social Scene, Arts & Craft’s roster in the past 12 years has included Feist, Stars, The Stills, Dan Mangan, Trust, Bloc Party and Cold Specks.
Remedios has helped build Arts & Crafts into a global operation with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles and Mexico City. It has won ‘Best Independent Label’ at the Canadian Music Awards four times.
“I want to thank lucian for this incredible opportunity.”
Jeffrey Remedios
“I want to thank Lucian [Grainge, UMG CEO] for this incredible opportunity,” Remedios said. “Randy will be a tough act to follow, having created one of the best companies in the music industry.
“I’m looking forward to working with Universal Music Canada’s extraordinary roster of artists and executives to continue their stellar record of artistic and commercial excellence.”
Prior to Arts & Crafts, Remedios worked at Virgin Music Canada, later EMI Music Canada, for seven years, holding positions in Media & Artist Relations and Digital Marketing, rising to Director of National Promotion.
He also serves as Chairman of FACTOR, the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings, and belongs to the boards of CARAS, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and TMAC, the City of Toronto Music Advisory Council.
“I want to thank Randy for transforming our Canadian company into the market leader both commercially and creatively,” said Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge.
“He will be missed at UMG, and I’m confident he will achieve great things in his new role. I congratulate Jeffrey on his appointment. We are fortunate to have found an executive with his creative instincts and proven entrepreneurial track record to lead Universal Music Canada.”
Lennox said, “It has been a pleasure working with Lucian and his executive team in building Universal Music Canada into the home for Canadian artists who have made an impact around the world. Jeffrey is a talented executive who represents continued great leadership at Universal Music Canada.
“This company has been my home for many years and I leave with the confidence that it’s in excellent hands, with a senior executive team who will lead the business into a bright future.”
Universal Music Canada boasts international and domestic artists including Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, Drake, Hedley, Carly Rae Jepsen, Diana Krall, Nickelback, The Tenors, The Tragically Hip and The Weeknd.Music Business Worldwide
