Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced that Michael Sammis has been appointed president of Universal Publishing Production Music (UPPM), a division of UMPG that creates, produces, and licenses a broad style of music for use in film, television, advertising, broadcast and other media. He succeeds Gary Gross.
 
Sammis, a 21-year veteran of UMPG, where he most recently served as the company’s CFO and executive VP of operations, will continue to be based in Santa Monica and report to Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of UMPG. 
 
In making the announcement, Gerson said, “As a senior member of our executive management team, Mike has played a central role in helping transform UMPG into the premiere home for the world’s greatest songwriters. With his experience integrating two of the largest publishing acquisitions in the history of the business and building a finance and administration structure second to none, I can’t think of anyone better to lead our production music business to the next level.”
 
“Great production music helps drive narrative and creates lasting impressions with audiences. This is what appealed to me about UPPM,” Sammis said. “I’m thrilled to move over to lead our brilliant production music company and help them build toward an even stronger future. I would like to thank Jody and Marc Cimino, UMPG’s chief operating officer, for their faith in me and for giving me this incredible opportunity.”
 
By owning both the master and the copyright for compositions, UPPM provides clients with efficient and cost-effective licenses and solutions. The company’s production music libraries include Chronic Trax, EVO, FirstCom, Killer Tracks, MasterSource, Network Music, and OneMusic from the U.S.; Galerie, Koka Media and Kosinus from France; Match Music from Sweden; UBM from Germany; RCAL from Italy; Vitamin A from Australia; and Atmosphere Music, Match Music, Bruton and Chappell in the U.K. UPPM has production music library operations throughout the world, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Benelux, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Asia.