Universal Music Canada has cut staff across several departments, according to Billboard Canada. The layoffs were announced to staff in a company town hall at the major record label on Tuesday (Sept. 29).
According to reports, the announcement covered more than 12 positions. That number accounts for roughly 6-7% of the label’s Canadian staff, per a 2025 annual report that puts UMC’s total workforce at around 205.
The Layoffs at a Glance
Among the departments affected by the cuts were communications, marketing, A&R, label partnerships and admin. The reductions included at least one senior position carrying a vice president title and another holding a senior manager title.
The cuts were reportedly carried out for cost-cutting and restructuring reasons, with no performance-based basis given. UMC declined to comment on this story, stating that the company does not address employee relations.
UMC’s Role in Canada
Headquartered in Toronto, UMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG), which also maintains offices in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. The layoffs reportedly touched several of those locations.
The reductions follow a change at the top of the company. Julie Adam took over as president and CEO at the start of 2025, replacing Jeffrey Remedios, who moved into the position of president of strategic development at REPUBLIC Collective after spending a decade running UMC.
The Global Context
The reductions align with a larger push toward consolidation at Universal Music Group. Back in 2024, UMG revealed a “strategic organizational redesign” designed to produce €250 million in savings over two years.
The chief executive of UMG, Lucian Grainge, said that the move would lead to “reduced headcount” and “efficiencies.” Soon after, cuts were made at many of the company’s labels, among them Interscope, Republic, Capitol, Def Jam and Island.
Briegmann’s Appointment
Thursday (Oct. 1), two days following the layoffs, saw UMG announce that Frank Briegmann was being promoted to a new position as chairman & CEO of Universal Music Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the German label Deutsche Gramophon.
Julie Adam will now be reporting to Briegmann, even as she carries on her duties as president & CEO of UMC. A representative for UMC insists that the timing of Briegmann’s appointment and the company’s layoffs this week bears no connection to that arrangement.
The 40 Under 40 Event
The second annual Billboard Canada 40 Under 40 returns in November 2026, with nominations already open.
SOUNDSTAGE hosts the event on Nov. 20, with the location set in Toronto. The list is built around influential figures from across the business, including live music, management, record labels and publishing.
The first-ever 40 Under 40 list in Canada included Will Bracey of the Bieber Family Office, William Robillard Cole and Tamir Schlanger, managers behind Kaytranada; Showpass founder Lucas McCarthy; Amazon Music’s A. Harmony; Warner Music Canada co-general manager Julia Hummel; Live Nation’s director of Latin music, Ricky Taco; and more.
The first-ever Billboard Canada 40 Under 40 Visionary Award went to La Mar Taylor, who serves as creative director for The Weeknd, co-founder of XO Records and the creative incubator HXOUSE. The honour recognises more than a decade of influence and success, including his work on the After Hours Til Dawn tour, which shattered records in 2025 and is currently concluding its latest worldwide run.
The award being given at this year’s ceremony is the 2026 edition of the Billboard Canada 40 Under 40 Visionary Award, an honor bestowed upon a Canadian who has achieved international success while also promoting the music industry in their home country.
The Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 29 | UMC announces layoffs via company town hall |
| Oct. 1 | UMG promotes Frank Briegmann to chairman & CEO of Universal Music Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Deutsche Gramophon |
| Nov. 20 | Billboard Canada 40 Under 40 ceremony at SOUNDSTAGE, Toronto |
Where the paper stands
The paper backs the independent music labels and artists affected by these cuts and is against Universal Music Canada using corporate consolidation to raise barriers to entry for smaller competitors. The layoffs appear to be part of a larger push toward consolidation at Universal Music Group, and the company’s refusal to confirm the exact figure means observers must rely on outside sources rather than any statement from UMC itself.
The reported layoff count of more than 12 roles, accounting for roughly 6-7% of UMC’s Canadian staff of around 205 people, shows a reduction in capacity that could affect how the label supports independent artists and smaller labels. Universal Music Group’s €250 million savings target and the cuts at Interscope, Republic, Capitol, Def Jam and Island show this is not a one-off but a pattern. The timing of Frank Briegmann’s promotion to chair and CEO of Universal Music Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Deutsche Gramophon, two days after the layoffs, raises questions about whether the cuts were part of a broader strategic shift.
The paper wants the focus to stay on the affected workers and the smaller labels that depend on UMC for distribution and promotion. It wants UMC to confirm the exact layoff count and to explain how the cuts will affect its relationships with independent artists and labels. It also wants the industry to recognize that consolidation at the top creates winners and losers, and that the winners are rarely the small players. The reader should watch for whether UMC’s statement about supporting Canadian artists and representing UMG’s global roster holds up against the reality of the cuts.
Key Facts Box
- Layoffs announced: More than 12 roles, per sources
- Workforce size: Approximately 205 people, per 2025 annual report
- Cut percentage: Approximately 6-7%
- Global savings target: €250 million within two years
- 40 Under 40 ceremony: Nov. 20 at SOUNDSTAGE, Toronto
What We Know So Far
Cost-cutting and restructuring were cited as the reasons behind the reported layoffs, with performance not factored into the decision. UMC declined to confirm the exact figure when asked.
When asked about this story, the firm refused to respond, pointing to its policy against talking about employee relations. Its statement made no mention of the number of people laid off.
“UMC continues to be Canada’s leading music company — proudly signing and supporting Canadian artists and representing UMG’s global roster of talent in the Canadian market.”
The timing of Briegmann’s appointment raises questions about whether the layoffs were part of a broader strategic shift. UMC’s statement that the two events are unrelated does not settle the matter.
Since UMC has refused to confirm the layoff count, the exact number remains unknown. The figure of more than 12 roles comes from outside sources, not from the company itself.
Observers and staff are left with fragmentary knowledge because the company has not commented on the specifics. The repeated mergers at UMG point to this being part of a broader trend rather than a single occurrence.
The job cuts serve as a warning that the music business cannot escape financial strain. Record companies compete against one another for success.
A familiar talking point surrounds the size of the company’s statement about supporting Canadian artists and representing UMG’s global roster. It remains unclear whether the cuts will influence the label’s output.
The cuts at UMC represent a notable development for Canada’s music industry, with more than a dozen positions eliminated, though the firm has refused to confirm the exact figure.
The cuts are separate from Briegmann’s appointment, according to UMC. The company’s statement on the matter is brief and focused on its market position.
The 40 Under 40 ceremony is still going ahead, even though it’s not clear what has changed or been added. It honors leaders throughout the business, and this year’s prize goes to someone from Canada who has pushed into international markets while also supporting the country’s music industry at home.
Source material: “In Canada: Universal Music Canada Lays Off Staff Across Several Departments,” Billboard.
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