MUMBAI: Lucian Grainge has been promoted from the position of CEO, to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world´s leading music company, Vivendi announced on Wednesday. He continues to report to Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, and serves as a member of the Vivendi Management Board.

Commenting on Grainge's promotion, Jean-Bernard L?©vy said, We are delighted to appoint Lucian to the top position in music worldwide. His track record over the last 30 years in the music business is impeccable. He is perfectly qualified to lead UMG through the digital era across the globe....

Lucian Grainge CBE, a British citizen, started his career with CBS/April Music in 1979, advancing to positions in Artists & Repertoire (A&R) and talent development, and rising to senior management positions at PolyGram UK and Universal Music internationally. Under Grainge´s leadership since 2005, Universal Music Group International, which manages its businesses in more than 50 countries, has grown its market share worldwide, broken global acts and led the music industry in developing a range of new digital services.

Vivendi also announced that effective immediately, Activision Blizzard Inc has elected Grainge to its Board of Directors.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Blizzard Inc is a worldwide online-, PC-, console-and-handheld- and mobile game publisher with leading positions across every major category of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry.