Matt Young Named CEO of UMG’s Bravado, as Dan Goldberg and Eric Mackay Join Amy Zaglauer & Rachel Redfearn on Leadership Team

Why It Matters

The leadership overhaul equips Bravado to accelerate fan‑centric merchandise innovation and capture higher revenue streams, positioning UMG for sustained growth in the music‑merch market.

Key Takeaways

• Matt Young promoted to CEO of Bravado.
• New hires add strategy, digital, and A&R expertise.
• Bravado targets $1 billion revenue by 2026.
• Sustainable merch up‑cycling program expands with Billie Eilish.
• UMG merchandising revenue flat at €248 million Q4 2025.

Pulse Analysis

Universal Music Group’s Bravado division has reshaped its leadership roster, elevating President Matt Young to chief executive officer while adding seasoned executives across strategy, digital, and artist‑services functions. Young, who has guided Bravado since 2021, now reports directly to COO Boyd Muir and will steer a team split between New York, Los Angeles and London. The appointments of Eric Mackay, Dan Goldberg, Amy Zaglauer and Rachel Redfearn bring deep experience from Warner Chappell, Fanatics and major label A&R, positioning Bravado to act faster on market trends and artist demands.

The revamped senior team is tasked with turning merchandise into a platform for deeper fan engagement. Goldberg’s new role overseeing strategy and new ventures will explore cross‑industry partnerships in sports, fashion and culture, while Mackay’s operational focus aims to sharpen execution across product lines. Bravado’s recent sustainability push—highlighted by an up‑cycling collaboration with Billie Eilish—demonstrates how eco‑friendly merch can coexist with high‑margin licensing deals. These initiatives reflect a broader industry shift toward experiential, community‑centric offerings that extend beyond traditional album sales.

Financially, Bravado’s impact is already measurable. UMG reported flat merchandising revenue of €248 million in Q4 2025, with full‑year figures steady at €811 million, while touring‑related merch sales showed modest growth. The division’s ambition to reach a $1 billion annual turnover by 2026 underscores confidence in direct‑to‑consumer channels and premium fan experiences as growth engines. If Bravado can translate its expanded leadership and sustainability agenda into higher per‑fan spend, it could set a new benchmark for music‑related merchandise profitability across the sector.