Andrew Jenkins, the President of Australia and the Asia Pacific Region for Universal Music Publishing Group, will depart the company on July 1 after nearly two decades in the role, UMPG announced Monday (June 1).
Jenkins joined BMG Music Publishing International in 1993 as Vice President, was promoted to President of BMG Music Publishing International in 2005, and continued in senior leadership roles when Universal Music Publishing Group acquired BMG Music Publishing in 2006.
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In that time, he oversaw UMPG’s publishing operations and creative teams across Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, played a central role in expanding the company’s regional presence, and was integral to brokering both the SACEM and APRA multi-territory digital licensing arrangements at UMPG — two agreements that significantly shaped digital licensing in the region.
Before his publishing career, Jenkins began in the music industry at PolyGram in the U.K. in 1981, later serving as General Manager and Senior Director of Polydor Records. Over the course of his career he worked with, signed or helped oversee relationships with artists and songwriters including the Bee Gees, The Cure, Alanis Morissette, Pete Townshend, Robert Plant, Van Morrison, Guy Sebastian and Tom Waits.
Beyond his company role, Jenkins held significant industry leadership positions — serving as Chair of the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), as a founding board member of the International Music Publishers Association (IMPA), and as a board member of APRA, AMCOS and AMPAL in Australia.
UMPG Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson paid tribute in a statement. “Andrew has been an exceptional leader, colleague and friend,” she said. “His dedication to songwriters and artists, and his leadership across Australia and the Pacific Region, have left a lasting impact on both our company and the creative community throughout the region.”
In his own statement, Jenkins reflected warmly on the journey. “I am in awe of your genius and grateful for your friendship,” he said, addressing collaborators and colleagues. “It’s been amazing. So, until the next time, thank you all.”
A successor has not yet been announced.
