Ulf Zick quit Universal to join Utopia in early 2022. Six months later, he’s quitting Utopia to return to UMG.
In April, Ulf Zick stepped down as Managing Director, International at Popular music Germany joins Utopia, the Swiss-headquartered fintech company led by Markku Mäkeläinen.
Zick spent about four years at Universal, after majoring in February 2018 from Spotifywhere the moderator had worked for the previous 5 years in the streamer’s Artist & Label Services division.
Now, just six months after joining Utopia as Chief Marketing Officer, Zick has announced that he is leaving the Swiss company to return to work at Universal.
According to the German-based music trade publication, musicUniversal confirmed on Wednesday (November 16) that Zick will return to its global team in early 2023.
Publications report that Berlin-based Zick has been re-hired as International Repertory President at Universal Music Germany, effective from early January 2023.
He will also lead Universal’s Virgin Music Brand & Artist Services division in Germany.
SS of January 2023, Zick will report directly to Frank BriegmannPresident & CEO of Central Europe in Popular music group (UMG).
Briegmann is quoted by music (translated from German) says that Zick’s return is “a compliment to [Universal’s] our artists and team. Anyone who wants to make a difference in our industry benefits us.”
Briegmann added: “I have been and am convinced that he is brilliantly qualified to advance the careers of our international artists in Germany on the one hand and, on the other hand, sharpen the structures at Virgin Music. Label & Artist Services.”
“Being able to return to Universal Music is great.”
Ulf Zick
Ulf Zick said: “Being able to return to Universal Music is wonderful.”
He added: “It has become increasingly clear to me that – with all my love for Technology & Innovation – I am, above all, a Man of Music & People.
“Working for and with artists gives me the greatest joy and that is where I make the biggest difference. I thank Frank so much for his trust and I look forward to seeing the whole UMG family again.”
Prior to Universal, at Spotify, Zick worked for Gibson Guitar Corp as Director, Entertainment Relations and served as Executive Advisor to Apogee Electronics in Santa Monica.
Additionally, Zick is an experienced artist manager, with prior experience in the music industry running his own record label, PR and booking agency.
In February, Utopia said that as Chief Marketing Officer, he would be “responsible for the overall strategic vision and direction of marketing, positioning, communications, content strategy and execution of the direction. Utopia’s trademark”.
He reported directly to Markku Mäkeläinen, CEO of Utopia.
Utopia has acquired many companies since its launch in 2016.
That acquisition included the UK warehouse, fulfillment company, distribution company Cinram NovumUK-based digital and physical music distributor The right band and Absolute label serviceanother UK-based distribution and service provider for independent artists and record labels.
In addition, earlier this year Utopia buying Liverpool based music publishing and publishing management company Music group Sentric.
December 2021 it has US-based music industry directory ROSTR and Austria-based music data analytics platform, ForTunes.
In October 2021, the company purchased the Nashville-based financial services company, Financial Lyric and in September, Utopia bought Quincy Jones is backed emotional data enrichment company Musimap.
In August, MBW report that Utopia is trying to raise 300 million euros in a Series C round to value its company at 2.5 billion euros.Global Music Business
