Margie Hauser is the Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President of Universal Music Group. He has held this position since 2011 and oversees the legal affairs of a company that represents many of the world’s leading artists, all while securing deals with major brands across industries. Margie Hauser oversees UMGI’s legal division, signing new talent, managing relationships with artists on every level, and leading all contract negotiations with major recording labels and other agreements on marketing and servicing rights domestically and internationally.
Achievements
Margie Hauser is responsible for the legal management of all facets of UMGI’s domestic and international business operations.
Manages the licensor of UMGI’s licenses with its record labels, distributors, and other music rights holders.
Gives guidance on the development and implementation of new policies, procedures, and initiatives to ensure UMGI continues to meet business objectives.
Acts as a legal advisor on all aspects of UMGI’s operations. Oversees the coordination and resolution of disputes among departments to ensure that UMGI operates efficiently. Also represents UMGI in litigation when needed.
Margie Hauser holds a position as a professor of music law at Pepperdine University School of Law and is an advisor on music-related issues in the entertainment industry to the MPAA, ASCAP, IFPI, and the RIAA. He is also a member of the MusicFirst (formerly Global Music First) Initiative Committee, along with members of both ASCAP and BMI.
Margie began his career in 1986 when he joined the corporate law department of MCA Inc., where he helped in areas such as copyright protection, trademark ownership, and licensing issues. He received a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1986 and was admitted to practice law in California.
Hauser left MCA for BMG Entertainment. His responsibilities included overseeing the legal departments for the BMG Music Clubs and Columbia House record clubs, resulting in annual savings of more than $1 billion in sales since he joined the company. He served as senior vice president and general counsel of Universal Music Group International (UMGI) from 1998 to 2003 before becoming president of UMGI’s North American division in 2003.