Lawrence Kenswil Promoted To Executive Vice President of Business Strategy

Lawrence Kenswil has been promoted to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Business Strategy for Universal Music Group (UMG), it was announced today by Zach Horowitz, President and Chief Operating Officer of the company and to whom Mr. Kenswil reports. Formerly, Mr. Kenswil headed eLabs, UMG\’s new media and technologies division.

In his new position, Mr. Kenswil will have a diverse set of responsibilities--some building upon his new media expertise, and some an expansion into new areas. The new position is part of UMG\’s ongoing commitment to remain the industry leader in the music business.

Mr. Kenswil\’s new role includes supervising UMG\’s strategy in all aspects of content protection--including developing new partnerships, setting standards, and maximizing new technology opportunities; overseeing UMG\’s anti piracy efforts on a global basis--both in the physical and digital worlds; and helping to coordinate UMG\’s government relations activities, litigation and business efforts so as to ensure a unified strategy and seamless communication across all divisions. Additionally, Mr. Kenswil will help shape UMG\’s overall business strategy and policies. He will also play a lead role in negotiating major commercial transactions for the company as well as in industry-wide negotiations that are critical to the music business.

“For almost ten years as the head of UMG\’s new media arm, Larry has been one of the true industry leaders in helping shape the dynamic and explosive transformation of the music business into the digital age,” stated Mr. Horowitz. “He is a brilliant visionary and innovator who has helped position UMG at the forefront of the digital revolution and at the cutting edge of new business models and revenue streams. We couldn\’t be more excited that he will continue to be able to lend his expertise and insights to UMG as we expand his focus and responsibilities to a broader context.”

“During my tenure at eLabs, UMG has gone through a dramatic transformation, emerging as the industry\’s leading digital music company,” added Mr. Kenswil. “What we\’ve achieved over the years is a testament to the commitment of Universal Music Group to the digital business, to the eLabs staff--which I consider to be the best in the business, and to our world class group of labels and artists. I am grateful to Doug Morris (Chairman & CEO, UMG) and Zach for their continued support and confidence in me. I look forward to the new responsibilities that will continue to allow me to play a vital role in the evolving digital landscape while also giving me the opportunity for a broader role in helping shape the growth of UMG in the years to come.”

Mr. Kenswil has run eLabs since 1998, a division which he created as the workshop for new business models for record companies in the digital age. Since then he has grown eLabs into an industry leader, developing and implementing new digital music distribution and programming initiatives across all emerging technology and convergence platforms, including internet, mobile, home network, and set top boxes. He has been instrumental in all the key negotiations that have enabled UMG to become the industry leader in getting its content distributed over the internet and mobile platforms. Prior to eLabs, Mr. Kenswil served as Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs for UMG. Mr. Kenswil sits on a number of Boards, including the Recording Industry Association of America. He is active in government affairs on behalf of the music industry, having testified before both Congressional and administrative committees. Mr. Kenswil holds a B.A. from Cornell University, M.S. from Boston University, and a J.D. from Georgetown University.