Universal Music Group Names James Steven Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer

Universal Music Group has named James Steven as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, with his tenure set to begin on January 26. In this New York-based role, Steven will be responsible for the company's worldwide communications strategy, managing both internal and external messaging while leading teams across all global divisions. He will report directly to Chief Administrative Officer Will Tanous.

Steven arrives from Warner Music Group, UMG's direct competitor, where he served as Chief Communications Officer since 2015. His career trajectory began in UK public relations and marketing agencies before he joined Warner's international team in London in 2007. A move to New York followed in 2012, leading to his promotion to Senior Vice President in 2013—a position he took over following Will Tanous's own departure from Warner. Over a decade of leadership, Steven steered communications for major corporate milestones, including Warner's 2020 return to the public markets via an initial public offering after a decade under private ownership, and its 2022 CEO transition.

High-profile moves between the "Big Three" music conglomerates—Universal, Warner, and Sony Music—are relatively rare, underscoring the value placed on Steven's specialized background. An industry analyst observed that his experience is particularly pertinent: "Navigating the communications for both a public listing and a leadership change requires a unique blend of financial savvy and cultural insight. Professionals who can translate the dynamics of the creative industry for the investment community are in high demand." This expertise is increasingly critical as music companies, which derive significant revenue from streaming and catalog management, face complex investor relations challenges.

In official comments, UMG leadership highlighted the strategic importance of the appointment. Will Tanous, who previously worked with Steven at Warner, stated, "James brings a profound grasp of strategic narrative and an authentic passion for music. His background across media and technology sectors directly supports our goals for UMG's ongoing evolution." Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge emphasized the need for an immediate impact, noting, "Given Will's expanded duties, it was crucial to bring on a veteran communications executive who can integrate quickly and help drive our vision for the future of the music ecosystem."

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Universal Music Group. As the world's largest music-rights company, housing iconic labels like Interscope, Capitol, and Def Jam, UMG is actively pushing into new growth areas such as direct artist-fan engagement, multimedia content, and establishing frameworks for artificial intelligence in music. Clear and authoritative communication will be essential as the company addresses these evolving opportunities and engages a broad range of stakeholders, from its global roster of artists to institutional investors on Wall Street.