MUMBAI: Universal Music UK has promoted Brian Rose as managing director, commercial division.

In his expanded role, which is effective immediately, Rose will take responsibility for all digital and mobile sales for Universal Music UK. The move follows the successful integration of the iTunes account into the company’s sales division in late 2007.

Rose will work closely with Universal Music UK head of digital Beth Appleton, who also reports to Universal Music UK chairman David Joseph, on developing the company’s digital business, which generated sales of more than 30 million downloads in 2008. Appleton meanwhile will continue to drive Universal Music UK’s relationship with new digital music services alongside heading the company’s digital marketing team.

Rose’s latest promotion comes five years after he joined Universal Music UK as group sales director in August 2003. In January 2006 he was promoted to commercial director, putting him in charge of the company’s catalogue and market research & insight divisions as well as third party labels distribution, Universal Music’s Irish business and, most recently, Bravado retail.

Universal Music UK chairman David Joseph says, “Brian’s dynamism and strategy have already made a huge contribution to Universal Music. His new role reflects that, as well as the fact digital is no longer an extension of our business but at the centre of it.”