There are now three major music labels in Australia following the absorption of EMI into Universal Music this week.
EMI
Universal, already the world’s biggest record company with a 2012 market share of 32.41% in the USA, has automatically added EMI’s 6.78% to start the year with a 39.19% of music sales.
Sony Music is second with 30.25% of the market, Warner has 19.15% and indies make up 11.42% combined.
Although the EMI take-over took place in late 2012, staff were advised of their futures this week. In Australia, 20 staff were retrenched from EMI, mainly for the head office in Sydney.
Noise11 understands that remaining EMI staff will relocate to the Universal offices in each state but the Promotions teams will remain separate at this stage, only crossing over to assist either side has people away on holiday or on sick leave.
Two week’s ago, Mark Poston, EMI Australia’s Chairman and Senior Vice President of Marketing, announced he was stepping down from his position and leaving the company.
In Australia, Universal Music Managing Director George Ash will head the combined operation.
The take-over of EMI does not mean the end of the brand. EMI will still exist as a label within Universal, just like A&M, Motown and Island.
