Steve Berman and Annie Lee Promoted as Interscope and Capitol Records Merge Operations
Steve Berman and Annie Lee have been elevated to primary positions within the office of chairman at Universal Music’s newly formed Interscope Capitol Labels Group, the new company’s chairman-CEO John Janick announced on Thursday. With Berman as vice chairman and Lee as chief operating officer, the ICLG “is now comprised of all artists, labels and personnel within the companies” formerly named Interscope Geffen A&M and Capitol Music Group.
According to the announcement, in his new position, Berman oversees numerous areas within ICLG and works closely with all labels under the company’s umbrella to build and enhance artists’ global profiles and the broader ICLG brand. Lee is charged with integrating finance (along with the company’s chief financial officer Geoff Harris), operations and culture, while ensuring that ICLG runs efficiently. The move follows last week’s consolidation and reductions at Universal.
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“Steve and Annie are both highly accomplished executives who have been critical to our company’s growth and success for more than two decades,” Janick said. “They have worked closely with me in redesigning ICLG to benefit and enhance each individual label under our umbrella and foster an entrepreneurial spirit that will set the standard for what a modern music company should be.”
Berman said, “Every aspect of our redesign will enable us to provide optimal support for our artists and their creativity, while securing the best and most innovative opportunities that will help expand their global brands. I’ve devoted nearly my entire career to this company and its artists, and I am excited to continue working with John, Annie and the entire ICLG team on this next phase of our journey.”
Lee said, “I am looking forward to working with John, Berm and our entire team as we continue to build ICLG into a modern music company that is both a powerful partner to artists and their teams and a fulfilling and creative environment in which to work. We are well positioned for the future and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Prior to his promotion, Berman had been vice chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M since 2010, joining the company in 1991, only six months after its inception as Interscope Records. He began his career in 1981 as a teenager in the mailroom at Warner Bros. Records, later joining WEA Distribution as National Marketing Coordinator before transitioning to Interscope.
Lee was most recently the Chief Financial Officer of Interscope Geffen A&M, having been appointed to the position in 2019. She began her tenure at that company in 2006 as and was promoted to senior VP in 2014. She joined Interscope-Capitol’s parent company Universal Music Group in 2005 as senior financial analyst.
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