Capitol Music Group
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Universal Music Group umbrella label overseeing Capitol Records and a portfolio of major, specialist, catalog, and genre-focused music labels.
Last updated August 21, 2026
Overview
Capitol Music Group, commonly abbreviated CMG, is an American record-company group and umbrella label within Universal Music Group. Its principal identity is associated with Capitol Records, the Hollywood-based label founded in the mid-twentieth century, but the group’s operational scope extends well beyond a single imprint. It has historically coordinated labels and catalogs connected with Capitol, Virgin Records America, Blue Note Records, Astralwerks, Harvest Records, Capitol Christian Music Group, and other labels whose recordings were distributed, acquired, or administered through Capitol or EMI. CMG was created in February 2007 during a restructuring of EMI. The reorganization combined the operations of Capitol Records and Virgin Records America while retaining both names as distinct imprints. Jason Flom, previously associated with Virgin Records, became head of the new division. The formation was intended to simplify EMI’s United States label structure and reduce costs while preserving the commercial identities and artist rosters of its component labels. Capitol Records CEO Andy Slater left the company during the transition. The group’s structure changed several times. Virgin Records America was separated from CMG in 2010 to form Virgin Music Group, although Virgin Records later returned to the Capitol organization after the Virgin Music Group structure was dissolved. In 2012, EMI announced that Steve Barnett would become chairman and chief executive of Capitol Music Group. The subsequent absorption of most of EMI into Universal Music Group in 2012–2013 transferred CMG into UMG’s corporate system and made it part of the international company’s label network. Parlophone was excluded from that transaction, while the EMI assets integrated into UMG were redistributed across UMG’s operating divisions. CMG functions as both a contemporary artist-label platform and a catalog-management organization. Through Capitol and associated labels, it supports artist signings, recording releases, marketing, physical and digital distribution, licensing, international exploitation, and the administration of historic master recordings. Its catalog responsibilities have included recordings connected with labels such as EMI America, Liberty, United Artists, Imperial, Minit, Pacific Jazz, I.R.S., Chrysalis in territories outside the United Kingdom, and other former EMI or Capitol-linked imprints. The group therefore combines frontline music activity with long-term stewardship of recordings from multiple eras and genres. Leadership changed again in the 2020s. Jeff Vaughn became chairman and chief executive in November 2020, followed by Michelle Jubelirer in 2021. Jubelirer resigned in February 2024, after which Tom March, formerly associated with Geffen Records, was appointed chairman and chief executive. Later in 2024, Capitol Music Group and Interscope Geffen A&M combined their operations under the Interscope Capitol Labels Group. CMG continues to operate as one of the umbrella labels within that combined structure, alongside the Interscope Geffen A&M side of the organization. The group’s positioning is therefore that of a large-scale, globally connected music company with a recognizable heritage label at its center. It spans mainstream popular music, jazz, electronic music, Christian music, archival reissues, and other specialist areas. Its significance comes less from being a standalone public company than from its role inside UMG’s worldwide recorded-music infrastructure and from the commercial and cultural value of the labels and catalogs placed under its management.
History
Capitol Music Group was established in February 2007 as part of EMI’s restructuring of its United States recorded-music operations. The new umbrella organization combined Capitol Records and Virgin Records America, although the two brands continued to release music under their own identities. The reorganization was intended to simplify management and reduce operating costs while preserving the market value of both established labels. Jason Flom, who had led Virgin Records, became the head of the new group, while Capitol Records chief executive Andy Slater departed during the transition. The organizational arrangement did not remain fixed. In 2010, Virgin Records was separated from CMG and placed into a newly formed Virgin Music Group. That structure was later dissolved, and Virgin Records returned to the Capitol organization by 2013. The changes reflected the continuing reorganization of EMI’s label assets during a period of financial and strategic pressure across the recorded-music industry. In November 2012, Steve Barnett was announced as the next chairman and chief executive. Around the same period, Universal Music Group completed its acquisition and integration of most of EMI, excluding Parlophone. Capitol Music Group consequently became part of UMG’s international label system. EMI’s absorbed catalogs and label relationships were distributed among UMG’s operating companies, while CMG retained responsibility for the Capitol-centered group of labels and recordings. CMG’s role has included both current-release operations and catalog administration. Its label network has covered Capitol Records, Blue Note Records, Astralwerks, Harvest Records, Capitol Christian Music Group, and other imprints. Through its flagship operations, the group has also handled recordings and catalogs associated with former EMI, Capitol, and distributed labels, including EMI America, Liberty, Imperial, Minit, Pacific Jazz, I.R.S., United Artists, Chrysalis in certain territories, and Virgin Records America. This gives CMG a business profile that combines artist releases with the long-term exploitation, licensing, reissue, and preservation of historically important master recordings. Leadership changed in the 2020s. Jeff Vaughn was named chairman and chief executive in November 2020, and Michelle Jubelirer replaced him in 2021. Jubelirer resigned in February 2024. Tom March, formerly linked with Geffen Records, was then appointed chairman and chief executive. Later in 2024, CMG and Interscope Geffen A&M combined their operations under the Interscope Capitol Labels Group. The restructuring made CMG one of two principal umbrella labels within the new UMG organization, alongside Interscope Geffen A&M. Today, Capitol Music Group is best understood as a UMG operating group rather than an independent company. It brings together a recognizable Hollywood heritage, a broad catalog base, contemporary label activity, and specialist imprints serving genres such as jazz, electronic music, and Christian music. Its business depends on recorded-music releases, artist development, digital and physical distribution, licensing, marketing, and the continuing commercial management of legacy catalogs.
- 2024
Interscope Capitol Labels Group is created
[1]CMG and Interscope Geffen A&M combine operations within a new UMG umbrella structure.
- 2021
Michelle Jubelirer becomes chair and CEO
[1]Michelle Jubelirer succeeds Jeff Vaughn as head of the group.
- 2020
Jeff Vaughn becomes chairman and chief executive
[1]Jeff Vaughn takes over the senior leadership of Capitol Music Group.
- 2013
CMG becomes part of Universal Music Group
[1]The integration of most EMI assets into UMG places Capitol Music Group within UMG’s worldwide label network.
- 2012
Steve Barnett is selected to lead CMG
[1]Steve Barnett is announced as chairman and chief executive of Capitol Music Group.
- 2010
Virgin Records is spun off
[1]Virgin Records leaves CMG to form Virgin Music Group as a separate organizational structure.
- 2007
Capitol Music Group is formed
[1]EMI combines Capitol Records and Virgin Records America under a new umbrella group while retaining both as separate imprints.
Products and positioning
A heritage-led, globally integrated recorded-music group combining frontline artist development with the distribution, licensing, and preservation of major label catalogs across popular, jazz, electronic, Christian, and specialist music.
Mainstream record label
Capitol Records
The flagship label associated with Capitol Music Group and its Hollywood heritage. Capitol Records supports contemporary artist releases while also serving as a principal channel for the management, licensing, reissue, and distribution of recordings connected with Capitol and related historical labels.
Jazz record label
Blue Note Records
A specialist jazz label within the broader Capitol organization. Blue Note contributes a distinct genre identity to CMG’s portfolio and combines current jazz releases with stewardship of an important historical catalog.
Electronic music label
Astralwerks
An electronic and dance-oriented label associated with Capitol Music Group. Its inclusion gives CMG a dedicated platform for electronic artists and releases alongside its mainstream, jazz, Christian, and catalog businesses.
Rock and alternative record label
Harvest Records
A label with roots in the EMI system and a history connected with rock and alternative music. Within CMG’s portfolio, Harvest represents the group’s management of specialist label identities and associated catalogs.
Christian music label group
Capitol Christian Music Group
The Christian-music-focused part of the Capitol organization. It extends CMG’s activity into faith-based recorded music and related artist and catalog operations.
Record label imprint
Virgin Records America
Virgin Records America was one of the two principal labels combined to create CMG in 2007. Although it was separated in 2010 and its organizational placement later changed, its history remains central to the formation and evolution of the group.
Recorded-music catalog
EMI and Capitol-associated catalogs
CMG has handled or inherited catalog responsibilities for recordings associated with numerous former EMI, Capitol, and distributed labels. Examples include EMI America, Liberty, Imperial, Minit, Pacific Jazz, I.R.S., United Artists, Chrysalis in selected territories, and other historical imprints.
Brand decisions
2024
Combine CMG and Interscope Geffen A&M operationsStrategyBackground
UMG reorganized two major label organizations to consolidate their operating structure.
Action taken
Capitol Music Group and Interscope Geffen A&M were combined under the Interscope Capitol Labels Group.
Aftermath
CMG continued as one of the umbrella labels within the new combined organization.
2013
Integrate Capitol Music Group into Universal Music GroupM&ABackground
Universal Music Group completed the acquisition and integration of most of EMI, with Parlophone excluded from the transaction.
Action taken
Capitol Music Group was incorporated into UMG’s global label network.
Aftermath
CMG became a UMG operating group with responsibility for Capitol-centered labels and catalogs within the larger corporation.
2010
Separate Virgin Records from Capitol Music GroupStrategyBackground
EMI revised the structure created three years earlier and separated the Virgin operation from CMG.
Action taken
Virgin Records was spun off into Virgin Music Group.
Aftermath
Virgin Music Group was subsequently dissolved, and Virgin Records later returned to the Capitol organization.
2007
Create an umbrella group from Capitol Records and Virgin Records AmericaStrategyBackground
EMI was restructuring its recorded-music operations and sought a simpler, more efficient United States label structure.
Action taken
The two label operations were combined under Capitol Music Group while their individual imprint identities were retained.
Aftermath
The arrangement established CMG as a multi-label operating group, although Virgin’s organizational position changed again in 2010 and later years.
Recent events
- 2024
Tom March appointed chairman and chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Tom March, previously associated with Geffen Records, was appointed to lead Capitol Music Group after Michelle Jubelirer’s resignation.
- 2024
Capitol Music Group and Interscope Geffen A&M combine operations[1]
M&A
The two UMG label organizations combined operations to form the Interscope Capitol Labels Group, with CMG continuing as one of its umbrella labels.
- 2021
Michelle Jubelirer succeeds Jeff Vaughn[1]
Leadership change
Michelle Jubelirer became chairman and chief executive of Capitol Music Group.
- 2020
Jeff Vaughn named chairman and chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Jeff Vaughn was appointed to lead Capitol Music Group as chairman and chief executive.
- 2013
Capitol Music Group enters the Universal Music Group structure after EMI integration[1]
M&A
Following UMG’s acquisition and integration of most of EMI, Capitol Music Group became part of Universal Music Group’s label organization.
- 2012
Steve Barnett appointed chairman and chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Steve Barnett was announced as the incoming chairman and chief executive of Capitol Music Group.
- 2010
Virgin Records America is separated from Capitol Music Group[1]
Other
Virgin Records was spun out of CMG to form Virgin Music Group, changing the group’s internal label structure.
- 2007
Capitol Records and Virgin Records America combine to form Capitol Music Group[1]
M&A
EMI created Capitol Music Group by combining the operations of Capitol Records and Virgin Records America while retaining the two labels as separate imprints.
Sources4 sources
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