LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) – In a surprising turn of events, Capitol Music Group’s Chair and CEO, Michelle Jubelirer, has announced her departure after more than a decade of service. In a memo addressed to the staff on Tuesday (February 6), Jubelirer expressed her deep sadness, revealing that her exit is effective immediately, coinciding with the broader restructuring underway at the parent company, Universal Music Group (UMG). The restructuring is expected to result in numerous departures, marking Jubelirer’s exit as the initial move in this organizational transformation.
Jubelirer’s departure is part of the extensive reorganization plan outlined by UMG CEO and chairman Lucian Grainge last year, which was officially confirmed last month. This move is expected to be the first of many departures as the company undergoes significant changes.
Jubelirer, reflecting on her time at Capitol, expressed deep sadness about leaving the company she and her team successfully rebuilt and elevated to new heights over the past two years.
“I am deeply saddened that I will no longer be at the company we rebuilt and took to new heights over the past two years,” writes Jubelirer. “I don’t think any label group has been able to turn things around as quickly as we have managed to, and I’m certain that we’ve set Capitol Music Group on course toward a great future.”
Despite the challenges in the competitive music industry, Jubelirer emphasized the dedicated efforts of her team, stating,
In such a competitive and fast-paced world, we gave it our all — every minute of every day — so that our artists could seize the opportunity to realize their dreams and ultimately succeed. I am so fortunate to work in a business that I love and be constantly surrounded by music and the talented people that create it. Every day, I renewed my promise to do my very best for our artists, and they have given me so much in return. No matter where I find myself in this business, I will always approach my relationships with artists as their advocate, their protector, and their fan.
Jubelirer’s departure follows a trend of female label heads stepping down from UMG recently, with Ethiopia Habtemariam leaving Motown almost two years ago. Julie Greenwald at Atlantic and Sylvia Rhone at Epic are currently the company’s remaining female chiefs of major labels.
Rumors of Jubelirer’s departure had circulated recently, but the announcement comes after a solid two years of growth and success under her leadership. Before her tenure at Capitol, she was an attorney at Sony Music and King, Holmes, Paterno & Berliner, representing clients such as Pharrell Williams, M.I.A., and Frank Ocean.
