Universal Pictures has tapped film music veteran Mike Knobloch to oversee the studio’s film music department. Donna Langley, Universal Pictures co-chair, and Rick Finkelstein, vice chairman and chief operating officer, announced the hire Wednesday.
Effective March 1, Knobloch, who is executive VP of film music at Fox Music/20th Century Fox, will become president of film music and publishing for Universal Pictures.He replaces Kathy Nelson, who left Universal in January.
In his new role, Knobloch will be responsible for all creative and production aspects of Universal films’ scores, songs and soundtracks. He’ll also oversee the administration and licensing of Universal’s publishing catalogue.
“Mike brings an enormous amount of energy and talent to this job where he’ll play an integral role in our creative process,” Langley said in a statement. “He’s the perfect addition to our team with exactly the kind of passion and vision we’re looking for.”
Knobloch has overseen music for dozens of films, ranging from "Avatar" to "Alvin and the Chipmunks," as well as music-driven films such as Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line" and current Oscar nominee"Crazy Heart."
At Universal he’ll manage a department of 17 people, reporting to Langley on the film side and Finkelstein on music publishing.
Knobloch, who has been with Fox Music since 1996, is president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Recording Academy and has served on its board of governors for the last five years. He is a co-founder of the Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Camp, a summer program that immerses high school students in professional film scoring and other disciplines of the music industry.
