Joseph Oerke becomes executive vice president of Decca Records US

Verve Label Group (VLG), the division of Universal Music Group responsible for Decca Records sister label Decca Records US, has announced the promotion of Joseph Oerke to the role of executive vice president after over 13 years as vice president of Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics in the US. Effective immediately, Oerke will lead the marketing and artist strategy for Decca Records US.

During his almost 16 years with VLG Oerke has overseen its growth and helped nurture a new generation of classical artists including Víkingur Ólafsson, Yunchan Lim and Lise Davidsen. Last year Decca Records US set the modern-era single-week US sales record for a classical album on vinyl with Joe Hisaishi’s A Symphonic Celebration.

Talking about his new role, Oerke said: ‘I moved to New York to study oboe and got my first job in the gift shop at the Metropolitan Opera. I think that everyone can find at least one piece of classical music that stirs emotions and part of my job is to bring this music to more people. Leading this storied label is a dream for me and I could not be more excited to work with our amazing team.’

Last year Decca Records US accounted for an average of 47% of the Classical albums chart (based on consumption). In March 2023, the label had nine of the top 10 songs on the classical US on-demand audio streaming songs chart. In recognition of this achievement, Oerke became the first classical music executive to be named Billboard’s Executive of the Week.

Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Verve Label Group and Global Classics & Jazz, UMG said: ‘Joseph is propelling Decca US into a new era as the leading classical record company in America. With his boundless experience and formidable team-building skills Joseph is perfectly positioned to serve the finest classical artists of the world, and their passionate US audiences.’­