UMGD adds CEO to Urie position

President expands role at Vivendi Visual parent

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 1/24/2008

JAN. 24 | Jim Urie has been promoted to CEO of Universal Music Group Distribution, the parent company to such divisions as DVD label Vivendi Visual Entertainment.

Previously, Urie was president of UMGD, a role he will continue to hold while adding CEO to his title.

Urie joined the music and video distributor in 1996, later rising to president in 1999. During his tenure as president, UMGD has ranked No. 1 in the music market for nine straight years since 1999.

“Since joining us in 1996, Jim has done a tremendous job in building UMGD into the world’s premiere entertainment distribution company,” said Doug Morris, chair and CEO of Universal Music Group, which oversees UMGD. “As he continues to expand and diversify UMGD, we look forward to Jim taking the company to even greater heights.”

Urie added, “I’ve been blessed with a top-notch executive team, one that is determined to take on the challenges of the industry head-on and has done so to great success so far.”