ALL AROUND THE WORLD TAKE THE REINS AT UMTV

12 December 2011

All Around The World, the label behind the multi-platform success story Clubland, is reinforcing its ties with Universal Music by taking the reins of UMTV, the UK’s leading compilation company.

Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman, All Around The World’s founders, are becoming joint managing directors of Universal Music TV (UMTV) in an innovative deal which strengthens the Blackburn-based label’s long-standing relationship with Universal Music.

Since All Around The World (AATW) formed in 1991, the label has had huge success, typically with ex-London repertoire which has slipped under the radar of the mainstream media. It has notched up over 40 Top 10 singles and platinum albums from artists including Cascada, Scooter and N-Dubz.

AATW has had distribution and marketing links with Universal Music for the past 10 years, a partnership which has recently been extended. Their most high profile success has been with the Clubland brand which has sold 6m albums across 19 volumes and spun off touring and merchandising interests as well as the successful digital TV channel Clubland TV, a model they have recently repeated with Massive R&B TV.

Universal Music UK Chairman & CEO David Joseph says, “Cris and Matt are two of the most entrepreneurial executives in the business. As MDs of UMTV, they will be able to extend the innovative approach which has brought them such success in the dance market to compilations of all genres.”

Cris Nuttall says: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Universal after working with them for 10 years. We look forward immensely to continuing UMTV's success with current brands as well as seizing opportunities to bring new product into the marketplace.”

Matt Cadman adds:”It's a tremendously exciting development for us and we are grateful to David Joseph and the Universal team for giving us this opportunity.”

Supporting All Around The World’s new role, which will see Nuttall and Cadman become regular fixtures at Universal Music’s west London HQ, Haydn Williams is joining UMTV as General Manager in February. Williams joins from Sony Commercial Music Group where he was Senior Marketing Manager, leading the compilations area and working on successful projects including American Anthems and the Live Lounge series.

UMTV has consistently been the UK’s most successful compilation label since it evolved from PolyGram TV in 1999. Its many successes include Pop Party, Dreamboats & Petticoats, Massive R&B and Workout Mix.

UMTV has continued to buck the trend in the compilation business, selling almost 4m albums this year while being reshaped for the future by Universal Music Strategic Marketing MD Karen Simmonds, who took over last year.

After handing over the running of UMTV to All Around The World, Simmonds becomes Managing Director of Catalogue for Universal Music UK. Her focus is now on taking Universal Music’s fast-growing catalogue business to the next level and its music to new audiences, a drive she has started with this year’s successful releases from Nirvana and The Who.