Universal Music Spain Appoints Luis Fernández & Alicia Arauzo as Co-Managing Directors
Written by djfrosty on October 2, 2024
Alicia Arauzo and Luis Fernández have been appointed co-managing directors of Universal Music Spain, the label announced on Tuesday (Oct. 1).
According to a press release, Arauzo and Fernández will “work closely” in shaping and implementing the company’s business strategy and creative direction, “focusing on the nurturing of the division’s solid artist roster,” as well as the development of new talent. Both executives will be based in Madrid, reporting directly to Jesús López, chairman/CEO of Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula.
“It is an honor for me to take on this new role, alongside such a great team of professionals,” Arauzo said in a statement. “Luis and I have many challenges ahead of us and I am sure that as a team we will work tirelessly to achieve new milestones for Universal Music Spain, especially in artistic development, which is the DNA of UMG globally. I would like to thank Jesús López for his trust, leadership, and constant encouragement to pursue new goals.”
Arauzo began her career in 1982 working at Spanish record label Hispavox and joined Universal Music Spain in 1996, where she started as manager of international marketing. Her most recent role was general manager. Meanwhile, Fernández joined Universal Music Spain in 2023 as head of A&R. Prior to joining UMG, he was CEO & founder of Sonido Muchacho, the independent record and music publishing company he launched in 2014.
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“It is a great opportunity to assume this new position at UMS, where I have grown professionally, and where I have felt so supported since my arrival,” added Fernández. “It is a wonderful challenge to take on this responsibility alongside people I have known since I started in the industry, as we all grow towards a promising future. I would like to thank Jesús, Narcís, and, above all, Alicia, for the trust they have placed in me, as well as the entire A&R team, with whom I have shared the last year of learning and professional growth.”
About the new appointments, López expressed: “Alicia possesses extensive experience, knowledge, immense work capacity and an unquestionable love for Universal Music, among many other qualities, while Luis brings innovation, entrepreneurship, and a deep artistic knowledge. Together, they are the perfect team to lead the continued development of our artists and take Universal Music Spain to the next level of success, that the music market demands of us. I wish them both huge success in this new stage of their careers, and I am certain that the entire team will join me in these wishes.”