Morris Likely to Become Seagram Music Chief

Doug Morris is expected to be tapped soon to oversee Seagram Co.’s new global music operations in the wake of its $10.6-billion deal to purchase music giant PolyGram, sources said. The company has yet to make a formal announcement. Morris has been chairman of Seagram’s Universal Music Group since 1995 and is credited with transforming the once-dormant record division into a domestic rock powerhouse with the addition of his own Universal label and Interscope Records. It is unclear what role, if any, PolyGram chief Alain Levy will have in the new Universal music hierarchy after Seagram completes the acquisition, expected in late summer or early fall. Executives at Seagram and Universal are expected to announce the company’s entire new management team before the end of June, sources said. Representatives for Seagram and PolyGram could not be reached for comment.