Michael J. Sammis is a seasoned entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience. He is currently Executive Vice President, Operations and Chief Financial Officer - Worldwide for Universal Music Publishing Group ("UMPG"), the world's largest music publishing company with more than 2 million copyrights and global operations in approximately 50 territories. At UMPG, Mr. Sammis is responsible for investment strategy, business development, strategic planning, finance, administration and IT and overseeing a global operational infrastructure widely regarded as "best in class" within the industry.
Since joining UMPG (then MCA Music Publishing) in 1996, Mr. Sammis has overseen a 15-year period during which EBITDA at UMPG has grown ten-fold through a combination of acquisitions, organic growth, operational efficiencies and cost containment. He is also responsible for acquisition evaluation, financial due diligence and integration and, in 2007, served as the key liaison with investment bankers in respect of UMPG's acquisition of BMG Music Publishing.
Prior to joining UMPG in 1996, Mr. Sammis worked as Vice President of Finance for Windswept Pacific Entertainment Company, an independent music publishing company. Prior to Windswept, Mr. Sammis worked at the Rascoff / Zysblat Organization ("RZO"), a boutique entertainment firm specializing in music business management and tour production. Mr. Sammis also spent more than ten years with the Big 4 accounting firm of Ernst and Young as a member of their Entertainment and Media Group in New York, specializing in audits, royalty audits and litigation support for artists / entertainers.
Mr. Sammis received a BBA from Adelphi University in 1981 and an MBA from UCLA in 2002. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of New York and a member of the New York State Society, California Society and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Sammis also sits on the Boards of NMPA, ASCAP, the Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company and Associated Production Music Company. He also currently serves on the Music & Entertainment Committee for the City of Hope and the Industry Advisory Board to the Fender Music Foundation.
ASCAP Board of Directors
