Arjun Pulijal promoted to President of Capitol Music Group 11 Jan 2022
Highly regarded and innovative executive will play integral role in charting company’s future and directly oversee key departments within the label group.
Capitol Records executive Arjun Pulijal has been promoted to President of Capitol Music Group (CMG), it was announced today by Capitol Music Group Chair & CEO Michelle Jubelirer, to whom Pulijal reports. In his elevated role, Pulijal will work closely with Jubelirer in leading the company and planning its direction and future growth through innovative and strategic initiatives. He will directly oversee all areas of Artist Development, including Creative, Marketing and Operations. Pulijal is based in Hollywood within the company’s iconic Capitol Tower.
According to Jubelirer, “Arjun is renowned throughout our company, the industry and the creative community for prioritizing artistry in all aspects of presenting music to the world. He is more than artist friendly; he is artist-first, and his approach has resulted in some of our company’s most acclaimed and commercially successful releases during Pulijal’s nine-years here. He is a proven leader, and will be integral to working with me and our senior management team as we achieve our goals and plan our company’s future. I know everyone at CMG joins me in congratulating Arjun on his well-deserved promotion“
Pulijal said, “I want to thank Michelle and Sir Lucian Grainge for their incredible support throughout my years at CMG, and for their belief in me to help lead this iconic company into a new era. I would also like to thank the amazing and diverse team of people within CMG. Their passion for music, expertise, and ingenuity will be crucial to our success in the years ahead. Most importantly, I want to thank the artists that I have the honor of working with. Their talent and creativity consistently inspire me and serve as the life force for everything we do. The Capitol Tower has always stood as a musical beacon and a haven for artistry. I share Michelle’s desire to uphold that tradition and her commitment to support new and developing artists as they aspire to become the superstars of tomorrow.”
Prior to his promotion, the nine-year CMG veteran was Senior Vice President of Marketing for the company’s flagship label, Capitol Records. In that position, Pulijal lead the label’s marketing department and oversaw the design and execution of marketing campaigns for the full roster of superstar, established and developing artists. A diverse range of high-profile releases benefitted from Pulijal’s direct involvement and departmental leadership, including Paul McCartney’s #1 Top Album debut, McCartney III, which has garnered two Grammy nominations: Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song, for the single “Find My Way. Additional campaigns from Pulijal’s team included Halsey’s #1 Top Album debut and Grammy-nominated If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power; ABBA’s first album in nearly 40-years, the #1 Top Album debut and Grammy-nominated, Voyage; Masego’s Grammy-nominated EP, Studying Abroad; Norah Jones’s Grammy-nominated live album, ‘Til We Meet Again; Queen Naija’s #1 R&B album, Misunderstood; Duncan Laurence’s platinum single, “Arcade.”
Pulijal’s contributions extend to A&R as well, including a credit for McCartney III-Imagined, the first-ever official remix album from Paul McCartney, featuring Beck, Phoebe Bridgers, Blood Orange, Ed O’Brien from Radiohead, Dominik Fike, St. Vincent, Khraungbin and others as well as concepting the creative for the UKMVA-nominated groundbreaking music video for the McCartney and Beck collaboration, “Find My Way.”
The highly-regarded executive is renowned for his passionate advocacy for artists and their music, having conceived and executed innovative large-scale campaigns for some of the music’s most important and culturally-significant artists. Among his many successes is the campaign for Paul McCartney’s 2018 Egypt Station—the artist’s first #1 album debut of his illustrious career, which was propelled by the Emmy Award-winning Carpool Karaoke TV special and surprise livestream concert event at Grand Central Station in partnership with YouTube. Pulijal has led marketing efforts for Beck since he first came to Capitol six years ago, with the artist’s Morning Phase album winning five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 2015. That was followed by 2017’s Grammy-winning Colors, which benefited from Pulijal’s work in creating the Webby Award-nominated #BECKWOW Instagram campaign.
Other artists who have benefitted from groundbreaking campaigns overseen by Pulijal include Halsey (her top-selling 2020 #1 album Manic); Arcade Fire (the U.S. #1 Reflektor, which was propelled by a universally-acclaimed marketing campaign and a launch event atop the Capitol Tower that was viewed by millions, globally), Maggie Rogers (her debut album Heard In A Past Life was a #1 Billboard Top Album debut and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist); Troye Sivan (both of the artist’s previous albums, which have garnered more than 8 billion streams, and his forthcoming In A Dream); as well as Norah Jones (the #1 and top-selling Daybreaks), Elton John (the critically acclaimed Diving Board), Nine Inch Nails (the 2020 Emmy Award-nominated Watchmen soundtrack) and Lewis Capaldi (the U.S. #1 “Someone You Loved”), Vince Staples (The Vince Staples Show).
Pulijal was named one of the music industry’s Top Young Power Players on Billboard Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2017. He graduated Cum Laude from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education with a Bachelor of Music degree and a minor in Computer Science.
Arjun Pulijal joined Capitol in 2013 as a Director of Marketing, rising to Vice President in 2017. Prior to joining Capitol, Pulijal spent seven years at Epic Records in New York, first in A&R and then throughout various departments, including Publicity and Digital, before becoming a Marketing Director in 2009. During his time at Epic, Pulijal worked on projects for Modest Mouse, Fiona Apple, Shakira, Death Grips and Incubus, to name several.
NEWS & PRESS
Miriam Yeung joins Warner Music China
Warner Music China announced today that Miriam Yeung, one of Greater China’s biggest stars, has joined its roster. Miriam has an impressive music career spanning nearly three decades. She is one of the region’s most recognised and accomplished recording artist, having...more
Over 100 UK festivals commit to tackling sexual violence
Boomtown Fair, Boardmasters, Reading & Leeds, Bluedot, Parklife and Shambala among signatories of AIF's Safer Spaces Campaign Includes updated Charter of Best Practice, plus new awareness and education campaign Find out more: https://aiforg.com/initiatives/safer-spaces 103 UK festivals have committed to The Association of Independent Festivals'...more
Apple Music announces ‘Fire In The Booth Germany’
THE NEW SERIES WILL LAUNCH ON APPLE MUSIC ON MONDAY MAY 16TH BRAND NEW EPISODES, FILMED IN BERLIN AND HOSTED BY DJ MAXXX, CONTINUE CHARLIE SLOTH’S FIRE IN THE BOOTH GLOBAL EXPANSION WATCH THE SERIES TRAILER HERE THE FIRST EPISODE WILL FEATURE GERMAN RAP STAR SUMMER...more
Beatport Launches “Beatport Sounds†Offering Signature Sound Packs and Exclusive Samples from the World’s Leading Producers
Beatport, the global leader of music for DJs, producers, and their fans, announced today the launch of the Beatport Sounds imprint - a return to offering audio content from inspiring producers for producers, with all content exclusive to Loopcloud. With the...more
Abbey Road Studios announce the winners from this year's inaugural Music Photography Awards
THE AWARDS CELEBRATE THE UNFORGETTABLE, UNIQUE AND UNSUNG MUSIC IMAGES OF 2021 LINK TO WINNING IMAGES Abbey Road Studios, the world’s most famous recording studio has tonight confirmed the winners from its inaugural Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2022 in association...more
Mom+Pop Music and Exceleration Music agree to strategic financial alliance
Label continues to expand scope of operations and artist signings Leading independent record label mom+pop music and Exceleration Music, the venture led by industry leaders for investing in the future of independent labels and artists, have agreed to a strategic financial alliance. This provides mom+pop...more
One Media IP puts in first bid for Pink Floyd catalogue
One Media iP Group has made a formal offer for a stake in Pink Floyd's back catalogue, which was announced for sale this week. The AIM-listed UK digital music publisher and content acquirer has offered £3.5m for a 1% stake in the legendary catalogue. If...more
MMF publishes ambitious three-step $ong Royalties Manifesto
MMF publishes ambitious three-step $ong Royalties Manifesto to overhaul how songwriters and composers are paid when their work is streamed #glassboxnotblackbox Writers should receive payment with two months of their compositions being played New commitments needed to capture and standardise song data,...more
Reservoir continues to execute against emerging markets growth strategy
Company Announces Deals with Arab Superstar Mohamed Ramadan and Egyptian Label 100COPIES, in Conjunction with PopArabia Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, in conjunction with PopArabia, the leading music publisher and independent music company in the Middle...more
Ashley Gorley Signs Global Deal with Sony Music Publishing and Domain Capital Group
Worldwide agreement covers renowned songwriter’s entire catalog and future works Sony Music Publishing today announced it has signed a global deal with award-winning songwriter Ashley Gorley, in partnership with Domain Capital Group. The agreement encompasses Gorley’s complete catalog of songs, as...more
Distiller Music Group Announces Publishing Agreement with Downtown Music Services
Claire Bianchi Joins Distiller Publishing as Head of A&R Major European Hit ‘In The Dark’ Provides Great Start to New Relationship London based independent music company Distiller Music Group has announced a new agreement for its music publishing division with Downtown Music Services, which offers bespoke distribution,...more
ABBA Voyage and Wallenius form sustainable partnership
The Swedish shipping company Wallenius, developer of the Oceanbird concept for wind powered vessels, has been confirmed as the official partner for ABBA Voyage. At the revolutionary new concert opening in London on 27th May, ABBA will perform as digital avatars. “It is extremely pleasing to...more
Downtown’s found.ee launches landmark premium video advertising tool
- One-of-a-kind tool will ‘revolutionize the ad-buying landscape’ says founder, Jason Hobbs - Clients currently using the new video tool include Aloe Blacc, Brooklyn Bowl, Sylvan Esso and Andrew Bird- Artists and clients across all of Downtown’s divisions – including...more
Epidemic Sound Launches AI Audio-Based Search Tool on Google Cloud
Epidemic Audio Reference (EAR) tool developed on Google Cloud will simplify and supercharge music discovery for content creators worldwide Latest update to strategic partnership, aimed to support the company's rapid growth Epidemic Sound, the market-leading service for direct licensing of royalty-free music, today announced...more
Stef Teng has been appointed to the newly created role of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Asia, at Warner Music Group (WMG)
Stef Teng has been appointed to the newly created role of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Asia, at Warner Music Group (WMG). She will be based in Hong Kong and report to Dr Maurice Stinnett, WMG’s Global Head...more
Hipgnosis response to Queen’s Speech announcement of draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill
Merck Mercuriadis, Chief Executive and Founder of Hipgnosis Song Management, said: “Today’s announcement in the Queen’s Speech to bring forward the legal framework for the statutory Digital Markets Unit is a huge opportunity to redress the current imbalance in the...more
KINGSHIP, NFT Supergroup signed to 10:22PM, to Offer Virtual Key Cards that Unlock Virtual World, Experiences, Products and Music
The Collection of 10,000 Access-Enabled Key Cards Available to Mint on Saturday, May 14 KINGSHIP, the supergroup signed to 10:22PM, will release a collection of 10,000 access-enabled Key Cards in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that will allow collectors to...more
Concord Music Publishing signs global superstar Davido
Announces Joint Partnership with Immensum Music, Expands West African Market Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of billion streamed Afrobeats icon Davido. The award-winning American-born Nigerian global superstar joined the roster through a new creative partnership with Koch Okoye and Saheed Okunnu’s Immensum Music. This new...more
NTIA Comment on the Queens Speech
Mike Kill NTIA CEO says:"Today’s Queen’s Speech had important aspects but is still a missed opportunity as far as the Night Time Economy is concerned. We welcome the announcement of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which the Government hopes...more
Warner Chappell Music sign singer-songwriter and film composer Daniel Blumberg
Blumberg Is Nominated For Best Original Film Score At This Year’s Ivor Novellos Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide publishing deal with singer, songwriter, film composer and visual artist Daniel Blumberg. Blumberg’s first...more
Music fans care more about climate change and want the music industry to do more on the issue
‘Turn Up The Volume’ survey from Music Declares Emergency and the University of Glasgow with lead partner the BPI, and partners Beggars Group, Secretly Group, Involved Group and Key Production reports findings Music fans are most likely to care about climate...more
Laura Lukanz to join Amazon Music as Head of Music Industry, UK, Australia & New Zealand
Amazon Music today announce that Laura Lukanz will join the company as Head of Music Industry, UK, Australia & New Zealand on 30th May. In her new role, Lukanz will be responsible for leading the UK, Australia & New Zealand...more
Three Six Zero Announces Partnership With Craig Dorfman’s Frontline Entertainment
Three Six Zero have announced a new partnership with Frontline Entertainment. The New York based talent company, headed up by Craig Dorfman, will join Three Six Zero’s growing international management and entertainment company with Dorfman bringing his clients and management team...more
PPL, PRS for Music and PRS Foundation bring OnTrack to The Great Escape
- OnTrack networking and educational hub will feature panels and in-conversations with some of the brightest PRS Foundation supported UK talent - In-conversation with PPL Momentum Music Fund supported Yard Act hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq - Exclusive live performance...more
Abbey Road Studios announce the shortlist for this year’s inaugural Music Photography Awards
THE AWARDS WILL CELEBRATE THE UNFORGETTABLE, UNIQUE AND UNSUNG MUSIC IMAGES OF 2021 AWARDS CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON 14TH MAY AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS Abbey Road Studios, the world’s most famous recording studio has today announced the shortlist nominations for the inaugural Abbey...more
Paul Bonham promoted by MMF to the role of Professional Development Director and Anneliese Harmon announced as GM
The Music Managers Forum (MMF) has today announced a number of team changes to better serve the professional development of its expanded community of over 1,200 UK-based music managers, by the promotion of Paul Bonham to the role of Professional...more
Knucks named as YouTube Music’s next Artist On The Rise
‘Die Hard’, his new collab with Stormzy, is out now - watch the video here Track features on his newly released project ‘Alpha Place’ - listen here Today YouTube Music names Knucks as the next talent in their Artist On The Rise series, which...more
Reservoir expands relationship with Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Dan the Automator via new publishing deal
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR) (“Reservoir” or the “Company”), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a worldwide publishing deal with Dan Nakamura, professionally known as Dan the Automator, a Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter.The new deal includes Nakamura’s catalog and...more
UTA Music: Hear This
UTA has announced a new curated live series, Hear This, launching at The Grace in London on Tuesday 10th May 2022. The inaugural event showcases women in R&B and Soul, and features the talented Claudia Valentina, Menlia and Tolü Makay. With...more
Universal Music Group signs Ghanaian artist Stonebwoy to the global Def Jam artist family
Universal Music Group (UMG) label divisions Def Jam Recordings, 0207 Def Jam and Def Jam Africa are thrilled to announce the global signing of Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall and beloved reggae musician and pioneer, Stonebwoy to the global Def Jam artist...more
THE HEADLINES
UK success at Eurovision 2022 (see Features, Showbiz, Live)
What does the #CryptoCrash mean for web3 and music? (see Comment)
Managers report delay in visas for performers wanting to enter UK (see News)
BMG and Warner Music bidding to buy Pink Floyd’s catalogue (see Deals)
MMF: "What is currently an opaque black box of song royalties, needs to be transformed into a glass box" (see Opinion)
MMF publishes Song Royalties Manifesto (see News)
Girl bands made British pop great – so where have all the good ones gone? (see Features)
More on myth that 60,000 songs are uploaded to Spotify daily (see Analysis)
Travel limits on international music tours to be eased (see News)
Music industry earnings 2021: Riding the wave (see Analysis)
Copyright Royalty Board asked to approve 32% increase on mechanical royalties (see International)
Streaming is not the future of the music economy (see Opinion)
Research confirms the majors benefit most from Spotify's curated playlists (see Analysis)
Report: Women in Music 2022 (see Analysis)
Why did #MeToo bypass the music industry? (see Opinion)
SoundCloud acquires Musiio (see Digital)
How TikTok’s evolution can help artists grow (see Analysis)
Black women are finding their voice against abuse in the music industry (see Comment)
Spotify shares now selling at less than the IPO price four years ago (see Analysis)