Interscope Names Michelle An President and Chief Creative Officer After Layoffs

Interscope Records promoted Michelle An to president and chief creative officer and named Laura Carter and Ramon Alvarez-Smikle co-presidents of Urban, the label said on October 21, 2026, a week after layoffs and executive departures tied to Universal Music Group's cost-savings measure. The Hollywood Reporter reported the promotions.

Michelle An's Expanded Role at Interscope

An, a longtime Interscope executive, will lead the label's pop/rock division and take a broader role across the full roster, Interscope said. The label said she will help artists shape the worlds around their music, from visual identity and storytelling to brand development and long-term career strategy.

"IGA has always been defined by original voices and by the teams who back those voices with taste, conviction and care," John Janick, chairman and CEO of Interscope Capitol, said in a statement. "Michelle has one of the clearest creative instincts in the business. She helps artists make the world around their music feel bold, fully realized and unmistakably their own."

Carter and Alvarez-Smikle, described by Interscope as well-respected hip-hop marketing executives, will bring A&R, marketing innovation, digital strategy and audience development closer together for IGA Urban's artists, the label said. Janick said Carter has earned deep trust through her artist relationships, creative judgment and commitment to developing talent, while Alvarez-Smikle brings cultural instinct, deep digital expertise and a sharp understanding of how artists build audiences and communities.

Interscope's pop/rock and urban divisions were affected by the prior week's restructuring. Sam Riback, Interscope's co-president and head of pop/rock A&R, and Nicole Wyskoarko, the label's head of urban A&R, both departed.

Interscope's Recent Releases and Partnerships

Interscope Records is a label under Universal Music Group, according to akta.pro company records, providing global distribution infrastructure, marketing resources and corporate support across all major markets. The same records list Carly Rae Jepsen's double album "Day and Night" and Beabadoobee's fourth studio album "Pylon" as scheduled for September 2026 release via Interscope. A BTS album, ARIRANG, released via BigHit Music, Geffen and Interscope Capitol, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 641,000 equivalent album units, the records show.

Interscope's Deals Before the Promotions

In September 2026, Laufey signed with Interscope Records and Verve Records, ending her six-year independent career, Variety reported. Piso 21 signed a global distribution deal with Interscope Records in September 2026, with the Colombian band continuing to release music through its own label Tres Sietes, Billboard reported. In August 2026, Megan Thee Stallion announced a distribution partnership between her independent company, Hot Girl Productions, and Interscope Records, providing global distribution and strategic support for her upcoming releases, Black Enterprise reported.

Universal Music Group's Cost-Cutting Program

Universal Music Group confirmed multiple executive departures as it continues its €250 million cost-cutting program, Music Business Worldwide reported on October 14, 2026. The company has achieved €90 million in savings in 2025, with €40–50 million expected in 2026 and €35–45 million in 2027, according to the same report.