Universal Music Group and its Virgin Music Group subsidiary’s acquisition of Downtown Music has officially been completed, the companies announced Friday, about a week after EU competition authorities approved the deal last Friday.
Downtown’s CEO Pieter van Rijn was appointed Chief Operating Officer following the deal, and he will report to Virgin’s co-CEOs Nat Pastor and JT Myers. Meanwhile, Downtown founder Justin Kalifowitz confirmed he’d be stepping down from the company, while Andrew Bergman will take on a senior advisory role, the companies said.
“Pieter’s appointment signals our intent to bring these businesses together thoughtfully and strategically,” Pastor said in a statement. “This is about making both Virgin Music Group and Downtown even better — preserving their distinct strengths while increasing the investment, technology and global resources available to independent entrepreneurs. Pieter’s experience and leadership make him the right person to help guide us forward.”
As Myers added: “Justin’s pioneering spirit — and the leadership of Andrew, Pieter and colleagues worldwide — created an organization defined by its powerful belief in independent creators. We deeply respect what this team has built and are committed to backing it, protecting what makes Downtown successful, and expanding opportunities for the global independent community.”
The deal’s completion comes over a year after Virgin and Downtown had announced the $775 million acquisition in December of 2024. The deal faced significant criticism from the indie music sector, with indie trade groups like A2IM and IMPALA stating the acquisition would create significant competition issues as the world’s largest music company would gain control over prominent indie distribution services like CD Baby and FUGA.
“The EC is sending a clear message about the risks of expansionist policies in music,” IMPALA executive chair Helen Smith said last week upon the deal’s EU approval. “At the same time, the final outcome falls short.”
Universal/Virgin’s deal gives the company an important asset as more of the music market continues to skew more toward the indie sector. Distribution has become a buzzy acquisition target among music companies as they look for more marketshare as well as more options to court a wider swath of music creators. Since the UMG/Downtown deal, Concord bought distributor Stem as well.
“This combination enhances the choice, service and global reach available to the independent community,” van Rijn said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Justin and Andrew for their vision in building Downtown, and to Nat and JT for their trust as we enter this next chapter. Our focus is clear: strengthen what makes both companies special and deliver even greater value to the entrepreneurs we serve.”
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