The newly created RCA Music Group will lay off about 50 staffers from its RCA Records and J Records labels as part of an effort to trim back-office expenses and build a new team under recently installed chief Clive Davis.
The layoffs, which had been expected, came two months after parent BMG bought the half of J it didn’t already own from Davis, pairing it with RCA Records to form the group. Davis then replaced the outgoing Robert Jamieson as group chief.
The cuts will hit hardest at RCA, which has a more substantial back-office infrastructure. Sources close to the company say the promotion and sales departments at both labels will take the brunt, with some additional downsizing in A&R.
“Staff reductions at RCA Music Group are part of our effort to eliminate duplicate positions and responsibilities among certain areas at RCA Records and J Records,” the company said in a statement. “These changes won’t affect the independent creative integrity of the two labels.”
RCA is riding high with Christina Aguilera’s “Stripped” and an Elvis Presley hits package, while J is resurrecting Rod Stewart’s career.
