Mercury Records Employee Thomas Ayad Killed in Paris Attacks, UMG Confirms

8 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on Mercury Records Employee Thomas Ayad Killed in Paris Attacks, UMG Confirms
paris-peace-sign-LRM
Art work by Jean Jullien

Thomas Ayad, an international product manager for Mercury, lost his life in the horrific attacks in Paris, France last night. Universal Music Group’s CEO Lucian Grainge confirmed the news in a note to the company’s employees today.

Ayad was inside the Bataclan concert venue, part of the team and crew present for the Eagles of Death Metal concert, which came to a brutal end when terrorists entered and shot at the crowd. The band was evacuated safely, but a few crew members were not immediately located. It was only today that UMG confirmed the horrible news.

Read Lucian Grainge’s full note below:

Dear Colleagues:

Today, I’m writing to you with a heavy heart.

We, like so many around the world, are struggling with last night’s horrific tragedy in France.

Paris is in our thoughts and prayers. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims as well as our fervent wishes for healing for all of those affected by this senseless violence.

This is especially painful and personal for all of us. As many of you know, the band Eagles of Death Metal is part of the UMe and Mercury France family. The band and its crew as well as our own teams from Mercury and other UMG staffs were present at the Bataclan theater for last night’s show.

At this point, we have confirmed that Thomas Ayad, an international product manager for Mercury Records lost his life in the attack on the theater. This is an unspeakably appalling tragedy. I cannot even begin to express the depth of my sorrow. On behalf of everyone here at UMG, we extend our most profound sympathies to his parents and all of his friends and family.

We will update you further as information permits. In the meantime, please send all healing thoughts and prayers for those affected by this heinous act.

Today is a dark day. We are a family. Let’s support one another as we grapple with the weight of this darkness.

Sincerely,

Lucian

 

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter