Universal Music Group (UMG) revealed that at least 50 of its employees have lost their homes or been forced to leave as devastating wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles.
In response to the crisis, UMG Chairman and CEO Lucien Grainge promised immediate support measures for affected staff.
“At least 50 colleagues have been permanently evacuated, many without their homes permanently,” Grainge said in an internal letter to employees obtained by music trade magazine Hits Daily Double. ” he said. Wildfires are still raging and threatening other parts of Los Angeles, but unfortunately, the situation is far from over. ”
The executive confirmed that he had canceled a scheduled business meeting in Europe in order to remain in Los Angeles and coordinate relief efforts.
Mr. Grainge is joined by Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, UMG Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Eric Hutcherson, Interscope Geffen A&M Records Chairman and CEO Jon Janik, and Republic Records CEO Monte Lipman. We have formed a senior leadership task force that includes: , UMG Chief Operating Officer Boyd Muir, and UMG Vice President Will Tanas will develop and implement support initiatives for affected employees.
“As someone who lived in the Pacific Palisades for 15 years, I have great empathy for what many of you are feeling and how this is disrupting your and your family’s lives,” Grainge said. wrote.
“But even amidst all this uncertainty, we must continue to work together to serve artists and songwriters around the world.”
UMG has not yet disclosed specific details of the support measures it is developing.
Wildfires are one of the most significant natural disasters to impact the music industry workforce in recent years. The layoffs of dozens of employees from one of the world’s largest music companies highlight the scale of the ongoing crisis in Los Angeles.
“Given the urgency of this disaster, I have decided to cancel my business conference in Europe scheduled for next week and remain in Los Angeles so that I can quickly complete the ongoing work of this group.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Group
The wind-driven fire claimed 24 lives, burned 40,000 acres in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and destroyed more than 12,300 structures, according to NBC News.
Elsewhere in the music industry, Belmont Music Publishers announced it had lost all of its inventory in a fire.
“Unfortunately, Belmont Music was a casualty of the Pacific Palisades fire. We lost all of our inventory of sales and rental materials. We hope to ‘rise from the ashes’ in a completely digital format in the near future. I hope you can. ” This publishing company is owned and operated by Larry Schoenberg, son of Arnold Schoenberg. Founded in 1965, it manages the rights to composers’ works.
Other musicians and music industry figures who lost venues, studios and homes in the wildfires include Bob Clearmountain, known for his work with the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Bryan Adams. Singer-songwriter couple Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith. Sting songwriter Joe Sumner. Rapper Fat Tony. Alexandra Baker of High Rise PR, rep for Billie Eilish and Duran Duran. Industry executives including Brett Dumler of Republic Records. Joe Poindexter of Pulse Music Group. Mike Sosin of Wasserman Music. and Tom See of Live Nation Entertainment.
Beyond UMG, other elements of the music industry are coming together in response to the wildfires. Live Nation has announced a benefit concert called FireAid to be held on January 30th at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles. AEG Presents and Azoff Family are also involved in putting on the show, with artists to be announced.
Meanwhile, the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammy Awards, has teamed up with MusicCares to donate $1 million, while Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation pledges to donate $2.5 million to help families who have lost their homes. did. A portion of the donations will also be donated to churches and community centers. Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, was among those who lost their home in the wildfires.
The Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund also announced an initial $1 million donation to Los Angeles fire relief efforts. The fund said it will donate to key organizations supporting the LA community, local first responders and people in the music industry.
Additionally, Guitar Center is stepping in to help musicians who lost instruments and equipment in the Los Angeles wildfires.
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