Universal Music creates Global Impact team, with Susan Mazo leading

Universal Music Group has announced the formation of a new division, called the Global Impact Team, which will oversee the music group's efforts to promote positive community engagement, environmental sustainability and other related efforts, the company announced today (June 3 ). The team will be led by Susan Mazoformer social responsibility, events and special projects executive, who has been promoted to executive vp/chief impact officer.

The former music journalist and GreenBiz Group executive will join the new department Dylan Sigler, who has been named senior vice president/head of sustainability at UMG. senior vice president and executive director of UMG's Task Force on Significant Change; Dr. Menna Demessiewho will be part of the leadership team; Marky Ruzzo, who has been promoted to vp global impact. and Charlotte Ritchie, formerly senior director of communications and UK head of the Task Force for Meaningful Change, who has been appointed senior director of global impact and communications. Additionally, social impact marketing firm Inside Projects, founded by Christine Jones and Ariel Vavasseur which has worked with Netflix, Spotify and the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions, has made UMG its exclusive music industry partner.

“The formation of the Global Impact Team reflects our commitment to not only accelerate our work in these critical areas, but to do so in a way that leverages the experience and talent of these exceptional individuals to positively impact our company, our industry and the communities we serve,” president/CEO of UMG Lucian Grainge he said in a statement. “With this new structure we are ensuring that these functions are not siloed, but rather positioned to meaningfully influence all aspects of our global strategy.”

Mazo has been at the forefront of UMG's efforts in this area since joining the company a decade ago, having co-created the music group's Amplify Award to honor artists working for positive change and serving as founding chairman of UMG's All Together Now Foundation, which works to bring about meaningful change around the world. In a statement, she said she was honored to lead the new team on behalf of UMG.

“Through our work we have demonstrated that sustainability, community engagement and corporate social impact go hand in hand with delivering positive results for our employees, artists and shareholders,” said Mazo. “With this next evolution of our team and structure, and with Sir Lucian's continued encouragement and focus, I am excited to create and implement a new approach that brings all efforts together in a way that will enhance global impact and UMG's brand appeal. Our unique position for positive change.”