Universal Music Group (UMG) announced Tuesday (Feb. 3) that Bruce Resnikoff has been promoted to chairman of the company’s global catalog division, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). Stepping into his previous role of president & CEO is Jamie Krents, who will also continue serving as president & CEO of UMG’s Verve Label Group.
Resnikoff, who joined UMG in 1983 after being hired in a business and legal affairs role at MCA Records, will aim to expand UMe’s estate management while also focusing on acquiring name and likeness, recorded music and audiovisual rights of artists and catalogs. He will continue to work with and advise UMG artists “with whom he has deep and long term relationships at UMe,” according to a press release.
Resnikoff founded UMe in 1998 following the merger of Universal and PolyGram and also served as president & CEO of Verve Records from 2008 to 2011. In his role at UMe, he established UMG’s recent forays into estate management. He has also produced or executive produced documentaries about John Coltrane, Donna Summer, James Brown and A&M Records and was recently announced as a co-producer on a new CNN Original Series featuring Fred Armisen that will offer a look into the Universal Music Group vaults. He’s additionally a lead producer on Sinatra, The Musical, which is set to premiere on London’s West End in June.
In filling the president and CEO role vacated by Resnikoff, Krents will “accelerate the development of progressive campaigns using the latest advances in digital and direct-to-fan marketing,” the release adds. Like Resnikoff, Krents is a longtime UMG executive, having started at the company as a temp in 1998 before working his way up to Verve president and CEO in 2024. His purview includes all of Verve’s labels, including Impulse! Records, Verve Records, Verve Forecast, Decca Records US, and label partners Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, Hyperion and ECM. He is now overseeing a year-long celebration of Verve Records’ 70th anniversary that encompasses reissues, merch and live events.
“Bruce is a brilliant executive who defined the modern catalog business, always evolving new ways of championing iconic recordings and the world’s most influential artists,” said UMG chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge in a statement. “He established UMe and built it into the industry’s most successful catalog division, so I’m delighted he’s taking on this new role to help us expand into exciting new areas. Bruce and Jamie already share a strong partnership, and Jamie’s inventiveness and artist-first approach make him an ideal leader to further strengthen UMe.”
Added Resnikoff, “UMe carries the responsibility of amplifying great artists, their culture-shaping stories, and a catalog of classic albums. I’m excited to continue pushing UMe forward, working alongside Jamie to develop fresh ways to grow our artists’ careers, fanbases, and legacies.”
“Both UMe and Verve share a deep commitment to artistry and originality,” said Krents. “I’m honored to take on this expanded role, working with Bruce and building on his leadership and vision, as we continue to invest in timeless talent, and develop new initiatives to help our artists deliver lasting cultural and commercial impact.”