Tunji Balogun, chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, will leave Universal Music Group (UMG) as the company cuts senior jobs across North America and Europe to reduce costs.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Balogun is among several top executives leaving the global music company amid a major restructuring.
The Nigerian-American executive took charge of Def Jam in January 2022 after spending several years at RCA Records.
His exit comes as UMG pursues a €250 million ($270 million) cost-saving plan. The company launched the programme in 2024 and plans to continue it through 2027.
UMG saved about €90 million in 2025 under the plan. It expects to save another €40 million to €50 million in 2026.
Other senior executives are also leaving the company. They include Sam Riback and Nicole Wyskoarko of Interscope Records, as well as Jim Roppo, chairman and CEO of Republic Records.
Roppo is widely expected to join Warner Records Group as vice chairman. However, Warner had not commented on the reported move at the time of publication.
Ben Mortimer, president of Polydor Label Group, and Rebecca Allen are also departing. Mark Crossingham, managing director of UMG Ireland, and Ivo Sacchi, who oversaw UMG’s Switzerland and Austria operations, are leaving as well.
Ulf Zick will replace Sacchi in the role.
The changes follow layoffs at UMG Canada earlier in October. They also build on the company’s 2024 reorganisation of its record labels into East Coast and West Coast operations.
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