Friendly And Firm Service For Los Angeles Music Headquarters

Universal Music Group’s (UMG) headquarters is a mecca for music lovers and the nerve center for today’s music industry. As the world’s largest music company, UMG’s holdings are truly all encompassing; they include a diverse family of record labels ranging from Island Def Jam to Deutsche Grammophon to Lost Highway.

The multi-faceted company also holds the rights to the industry’s most extensive music catalog, runs a cutting-edge e-commerce development lab, and manages a roster of artist covering the full spectrum of music around the world.  UMG artists include such household names as Elton John, the Black Eyed Peas, and Diana Krall. 

Since the headquarters’ address is printed on each and every CD released under the company’s various imprints, dedicated fans and aspiring musicians alike are drawn to the 210,000 square-foot office building in Santa Monica, California.  As a result, UMG needs a security staff that can help keep tight control over access to the building without insulting or offending an overeager fan. “Some people are fanatical about music,” notes Kevin Garabedian, UMG’s Vice President of Administrative Services.  “Whether they’re here to drop off a demo or to see an artist, we need to let them know that access to the building is closed, but at the same time, keep everyone calm, cool and happy.”

“The first person you see when you walk into the building is a security officer,” says Garabedian.  “And that officer needs to be able to work with the public, have superior social skills, and have a great command of the English language.”  To fit that need, UMG contracts with Securitas USA’s entertainment division to provide officers specifically trained for the demand of the industry. 

Securitas has been protecting UMG’s headquarters and employees since 2000.  In addition to helping to ensure that unauthorized visitors are kept at the door, Securitas officers are responsible for a whole range of reception and security duties to help ensure the safety and security of the employees and facility.  Officers greet all visitors and operate a complex access control system, which creates access passes for both employees and visitors and keeps a record of comings and goings. Officers also keep an eye on the digital recorders running on the “wall of monitors,” help assist with the emergency procedures such as fire drills, and serve as a liaison with the local police. In addition, Securitas officers are deployed at two other UMG Los Angeles area locations: an office building and recording studio.

According to Garabedian, firm and friendly service is the key to what he describes as a thankless job.  “People want to be protected from the unknown, but they don’t want to be inconvenienced by the vetting process;  they don’t want security measures they feel are onerous or taking too much time,” he adds.  Security officers need to have the skills to perform checks quickly, professionally and unobtrusively while also smoothing any ruffled feathers.  “What we look for are individual officers who are good with the public.”

“Securitas USA’s dedicated entertainment branch understands our needs and I have a great relationship with the area vice president. ” says Garabedian.  “There is always a high level of customer service and follow up and you’re left with the impression that nothing is more important than you.  They really feel like partners; we both have the same goals and are headed in the same direction.  Other vendors have good service; Securitas has great service, and that’s a big difference in my book.”

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