Universal Music Undergoes Shake Up With Def Jam, Republic Top Execs Among Departures

Universal Music Group is undergoing a suite of layoffs this week connected to the $270 million cost-savings initiative the company had announced back in 2024, a move that has several major executives from across the company’s North America, Europe and U.K. operations stepping down. Most notably, Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun, who has spearheaded the label since 2022, is departing, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, as are Interscope execs Sam Riback and Nicole Wyskoarko. Republic Records chairman and CEO Jim Roppo is leaving the label too, sources say, with Roppo widely expected to be joining Warner Records. Reps for Warner didn’t immediately respond to request for comment. “Our consistent success has been built on our ability to anticipate industry changes, act early to better serve all our artists and songwriters, and capture opportunities in music’s fastest-growing areas,” a spokesperson for UMG said in a statement. “Our industry-leading investment in artist development has always guided that work and will continue to do so. We’re bringing in new skills and technology and connecting expertise across our teams to deliver greater global impact and greater efficiency. Where we have made the difficult decision to remove certain roles, we are deeply grateful for the contributions of the people leaving us.“ Republic Collective president and CEO Jeffrey Remedios and Tyler Arnold would be given new leadership roles at Republic, sources said, though they declined to share further details. Interscope execs Laura Carter, Ramon Alvarez-Smikle, and Michelle An will take on broader leadership roles at the company as well. In the U.K., Ben Mortimer is stepping down as president of the Polydor Label Group, and as announced on Tuesday, Rebecca Allen is leaving as well. UMG Ireland managing director Mark Crossingham is leaving as well, sources say. Ivo Sacchi, who spearheaded UMG’s Switzerland and Austria operations, is leaving, with Ulf Zick succeeding him. UMG Canada, meanwhile, had already underwent layoffs earlier this month. UMG’s restructuring first started in 2024 in a move that saw several notable layoffs as the label groups reorganized into East and West Coast operations, with Interscope head John Janick overseeing the West Coast-based Interscope Capitol Labels Group, and Republic’s Monte Lipman leading the East Coast Republic Collective. UMG’s cost-savings initiative reflects the wider belt-tightening around the music industry. Warner Music Group announced a round of layoffs last year, reducing headcount and saving $170 million. UMG isn’t the only notable set of layoffs in entertainment this week, as Netflix also announced a layoff on Wednesday, cutting about 6 percent of its workforce.