Universal Music Group Reviews

Pros

Artist exposure, ability to work side by side with them

Cons

Management exposure, not able to openly speak with them

Pros

Some of the people you work with make it really enjoyable. The people are laid back and no set time when you want to get in and start your day.

Cons

Hard to get promoted. You either have to kiss major ass or know someone really well at the top.

Advice to Senior Management

Recognize peoples talent.

Pros

An excellent reputation; powerful company within the industry; many, many excellent people employed by the company; many opportunities for global exposure

Cons

Void of leadership and vision at the top; incredibly poor organisational cooperation and communication; constant conflict and infighting at all levels; when problems arise in the day-to-day, the reaction at all levels is to find someone else to blame rather than working together to find a solution so that the problem does not occur again; immense overlaps between responsibilities amongst employees; very poor opportunities to develop and grow within the company

Pros

chance to work a dream career But there is politics and music sales are dead. Over worked and under paid are accurate words.

Cons

The down sides included lots of overtime without pay and an inability to advance due to declined music product sales.

Advice to Senior Management

There is nothing to say after several good years tthe business took a hit from technology and solutions that were possible are now done.

Pros

MY ADVICE: Come in knowing what you want out of it, and figure out where you would fit in. You also have to be able to foresee cutbacks, because you never know if you will be next. Don't put all of your cards out on the table at once. I pay very close attention to those above me and from what I've seen, it seems appropriate to give minimum information about your connections and capabilities, but not TOO much.
-It is a very relaxed environment
- Once in a while, you may come across people worth having a productive conversation with.

Cons

- There is a lack of structure
- Don't expect to know what is happening with the higher-ups, even on a minimal level, because they won't tell you, although this could affect your standing with the music industry, which is in not so great shape at the moment.
- I find out more about what happens here on the web than I do by its workers.
- I learned more about marketing by using GOOGLE at home, not from those above me. Sometimes there is a hesitancy to share REAL tips that can serve as useful. I think this may have to do with people being in fear of losing their jobs and general competition.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more transparent and direct.

Pros

Good pay
Listen to great music which you got to be part of selling
Concerts are a great perk
Great co-workers
Upper management listens to all levels of employees ideas - they may not use the idea, but they at least listen.
President of company knows everyone and takes an interest which I think is outstanding!
Just a fun business to work in - it makes it not feel like work!

Cons

Long hours
A lot of work events
Too many layoffs - not Universal's fault as much as lack of music sales and illegal downloading
Not a lot of cons in my book - I didn't mind long hours and work events when you enjoy what you do

Advice to Senior Management

I think the upper management has/had great people working at Universal who did a good job and genuinely took an interest in their employees while I was there. Overall, I believe they did a great job and I would be honored to work with them again!

Pros

A chance to say you work in the music business.

Cons

The music business is rapidly downsizing and not enough is being done to correct this.
Greater demands/workloads with little support from management.

Advice to Senior Management

Quit living in denial as to how the business is shifting and be willing to adapt more quickly.

Pros

They pay overtime and provide under ground parking. They have a gift week off during the chirstmas and new years holidays.

Cons

The managers are mean, talk behind your back, immature, unapreciative, collude with each other. They pretend they are listening to you but they will stab you in the back. They will protect their directors at all costs.

Advice to Senior Management

Do a 360 degree review and take the results seriously. Don't ignore employees that complain to HR. Recognize that something's got to be wrong when turnover is at a record high.

Pros

Energetic company with a diverse staff. Although the company does not offer the same benefits package that it once did, they still provide their employees with above average benefits. It may go in the wrong (stale) direction when it comes to project promotions, but it still promotes individual creativity. The leaders may not adhere to great ideas but atleast they allow everyone to express their ideas.

Cons

Senior management is often stale and promote their friends. There are a few senior executives who are great at their job. The language used would be considered deplorable at any other company, but is not unusual for a record label. Although the staff is divided, the urban and pop staff members are divided down race lines.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should consider doing succession planning when evaluating employees in order to take a neutral look at their accomplishments. Management should also allow all races to work on all projects. A person's race should not determine what division they work in.

Pros

Music benefits such as exposure to new artists via company newsletter
Benefits package
Work Environment
Flexible hours
Wonderful people
Multiple locations to work at

Cons

Music industry is struggling right now
Doesn't currently offer working from home as an option
Doesn't have an employee discount for digital music

Advice to Senior Management

Consistent communication of expectations across divisions would help make all levels aware of common goals.