Mumbai: Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has appointed Geoff Mayfield as vice president business analysis and research. The announcement was made by UMGD chief financial officer Todd von Mende, to whom Mayfield will report.

Based in Universal City, Mayfield will be responsible for managing the staff of the business analysis and research department, as well as their related projects.

Mayfield joins UMGD from Billboard Magazine where he has enjoyed an illustrious 23-year career with the publication. As director of charts/senior analyst, he was responsible for Billboard’s menu of more than 160 weekly charts, including more than 100 US music and video charts. During his tenure, the magazine added more than 70 domestic charts to its repertoire, including Top Digital Albums, Hot RingMasters, as well as the launch of Billboard’s Ringtone charts. He also oversaw the conversion of chart methodologies from ranked reports to specific and objective airplay and sales data, as well as the inclusion of internet streamed, on-demand content as a factor in the Billboard Hot 100.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Mayfield, one of the world’s pre-eminent chart analysts, as part of UMGD," said Mende. "Mayfield brings years of insight to this role and we look forward to the unique perspective he can bring to the company, as well as our family of labels and their artists."

Mayfield began his career as managing editor of a Columbus-based entertainment magazine, Focus, before becoming the music director and announcer for Jazz radio station WBBY. Following that he was media communications specialist for the advertising department at national chain Camelot Music. He received his BA from Otterbein College.