UMP Australia’s Bob Aird retiring

After almost 40 years in the music industry Managing Director of Universal Music Publishing Australia BobAird has today announced he will retire.

While Aird doesn’t have a set timeline as to when he’ll make the transition, he plans to be actively involved in key projects and remain on the boards of APRA, AMCOS and AMPAL as a UMP representative.

“On one hand, I’ll miss working with the incredible local and international business partners, artists, songwriters and company associates I have met over the years, many of whom have become close friends,” said Aird. “But on the other hand, I am thrilled to soon do more of some of the other things I love, like boating activities and all the traveling I have been planning for a long time. I really look forward to this chapter of my life.”

Aird’s work in support of songwriters and in protecting the value of music has deep roots within the industry. Through his management positions at PolyGram Records and Rondor Music Publishing Australia (before it was acquired by UMPG), Aird signed songwriters and artists such as Don Walker (Cold Chisel), Joe Camilleri (Black Sorrows), Paul Kelly, Potbelleez, Grammy Award-winning band Wolfmother, Lee Kernaghan (with his co-writer Colin Buchanan). He also signed Jet to their first Australian publishing deal.

Under his leadership Aird introduced Guy Sebastian to the East Memphis Music catalogue, which led to Sebastian’s 2x Platinum The Memphis Album in 2007, and the national tour which included Memphis R&B heavyweights Steve Cropper, Donald ’Duck’ Dunn, Steve Potts and members of soul band the MGs.

Aird was also behind UMP Australia’s landmark deals including the groundbreaking digital license negotiation with APRA AMCOS, which saw UMP Australia establish itself as a PanPac digital hub; the now 20-year-old agreement with QANTAS for global advertising campaign “I Still Call Australia Home”; and the establishment of UMP’s joint venture with Dawn Raid Publishing in NZ – its releases include the multi-million selling global hit Swing by Savage.

Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group said in a statement: “BobAirdis a passionate music executive who has worked tirelessly to nurture and support our songwriters and protect the value of music. His accomplishments will have a lasting impact on our company and the Australian music industry, and he leaves with our deepest respect and gratitude,”