Adam White, Universal International VP and Billboard Vet, Retires

Universal Music Group International announced today that VP of communications Adam White is to retire after 10 years with the company. White, 64, joined Universal in 2002 from Billboard, where he had been international editor-in-chief, based in London. In his earlier tenure with Billboard, from 1978 to 1985, he was based in New York, rising to managing editor and then editor-in-chief.

White had a long and widely-respected career in journalism on both sides of the Atlantic before moving to Universal, first writing for such publications as New Musical Express, Disc, Melody Maker and the British trade publication Music Week. He moved on to editorial posts at Music Week, Radio & Records and Billboard, eventually becoming Billboard's international editor in chief in 1989, a post he held until he joined Universal. He wrote "The Billboard Book of Gold & Platinum Records" and co-authored "The Billboard Book of No. 1 Rhythm & Blues Hits" with Fred Bronson. He also wrote liner notes for many albums and scored a Grammy nomination for his notes to "Heaven Must Have Sent You: the Holland/Dozier/Holland Story."

"Adam has made significant contributions to our changing business, and we will all miss him," Hole said in a statement. "He is respected and trusted by all the journalists, artists, artist managers and UMG staff that he has encountered during his time here, and he leaves Universal Music with our appreciation."

At Universal, he initially reported to UMI chairman and CEO Jorgen Larsen, who retired in 2005, then to Larsen's successors Lucian Grainge and current COO of UMGI, Max Hole.

White will depart Universal at Christmas, but his successor, with immediate effect, is Caryn Tomlinson, who becomes senior VP, corporate communications, reporting to Hole and New York-based UMG communications chief Peter Lofrumento. Tomlinson has been senior VP, artist relations, global at EMI Music since 2006; she joined the company in 2002 after a seven-year stint at EMI Music Publishing, where she was PR director for the U.K. and Europe. In her new role, she will be responsible for all of UMGI's internal and external corporate communications and media relations.