Universal Music Group veteran executive Mike Alexander has been named the general manager of Island Records, the label announced today (Jan. 31). Based in New York, Alexander will report to new Island co-CEOs Justin Eshak and Imran Majid.
Alexander has spent the past year as executive vp at Island, helping the transition as former CEO Darcus Beese returned to his native England to take a job with Warner U.K. Prior to that role, Alexander was executive vp international at UMG, where his purview extended to Island, Republic and Def Jam.
“Mike has a well-earned reputation as a successful global strategist,” Majid said in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with him to build on the success of Island’s roster of new and established artists,” Added Eshak, “Mike’s experience gives him an understanding of the UMG system and the advantages it provides artists in the rapidly evolving global streaming economy. That combined with his strong existing relationships with the Island staff, artists, managers and global partners, makes him the ideal GM for a modern record label.”
Alexander has been with the Universal Music Group since his career began in 2003 as an intern, before he joined the Island Def Jam Music Group. He then held a series of international roles at UMG across its family of East Coast labels before joining Island. His appointment is the latest move for Eshak and Majid as they build their executive team, having moved from their prior roles as co-heads of A&R at Columbia over the past year.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to join Island’s senior leadership team, to be able to work even more closely with the label’s roster of iconic artists and brilliant staff,” Alexander said in a statement. “I share the abiding passion of Imran and Justin for Island’s rich history and enduring legacy and consider it an absolute honor to work alongside them as GM of the label. Island is poised to accomplish unprecedented new heights in the years ahead and I am proud to be part of that future.”
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Tagged: business, entertainment blog, Executive Turntable, Island Records, Mike Alexander, music blog, Record Labels