MUMBAI: Max Hole has been promoted to chief operating officer of Universal Music Group International (UMGI).

Hole will report to UMGI chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge.

Hole is currently executive vice president, UMGI, and president of the company’s Asia Pacific region. He will take up his new duties on 1 July, 2010, assuming responsibility for UMGI’s central functions at its headquarters in London, and for the operations of UMGI territories and regions worldwide. All those responsible for these functions will report to Hole.

Universal Music UK chairman and CEO David Joseph, and Universal Music France president Mediterranean, South America and Middle East Pascal Negre, will continue to report to Grainge.

Grainge said, “No one is better suited to lead UMGI than Max Hole. He’s been an independent artist manager, record producer, A&R head, company managing director and, since 1998, one of Universal Music’s most senior, accomplished executives. We first met in this business 30 years ago, so I’m delighted and gratified that we’ll continue to work together, focusing on breaking artists, driving our digital music business with innovation and imagination, and delivering success.”

Hole said, "I have spent the last 12 years at Universal Music and am very happy to have played my part in helping Lucian build UMGI into what it is today. We work closely and understand each other. I am very excited at the prospect of continuing our partnership to build opportunities for our artists, for music fans and for our company."

Hole joined UMGI as senior VP, marketing and A&R, in 1998, advancing to executive VP in 2004. He later added responsibility for UMGI’s Digital, Strategic Marketing and Commercial Affairs divisions, and for Asia Pacific and Nordic/Central & Eastern Europe. Previously, he spent 16 years at Warner Music UK.