Jon Platt might be leaving his place as chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Publishing, in accordance with inner memos obtained by Billboard. The longtime publishing govt took excessive job at W/C in October 2015 after serving as president of inventive North America for the corporate since 2012.
According to the memos, Platt might be leaving earlier than the top of the calendar 12 months, with an announcement on his subsequent transfer forthcoming. But sources near the scenario inform Billboard that his subsequent transfer could possibly be taking the reins at Sony/ATV, the highest publishing firm within the music enterprise, which has been headed by Martin Bandier for years. Reps for Sony/ATV did not instantly reply to a request for remark.
“Warner/Chappell is a really totally different firm than the one he joined in 2012, and he leaves it nicely positioned for continued progress and alter,” Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper wrote in a memo. “Our songwriters’ success in shaping the hits of at present and the sounds of tomorrow is attracting a wealth of inventive expertise in any respect phases of their careers. At the identical time, our excellent world group is rising its status for all the time backing our songwriters with integrity and ambition.”
“Our songwriters have turn out to be the usual for inventive excellence,” Platt wrote within the memo at present (Sept. 14). “Our group has constructed Warner/Chappell into the strongest firm it’s ever been. We’ve carried out it collectively, and we’ve carried out it our personal approach. I’ve little doubt you could attain even greater.
“WMG is a tremendous firm,” Platt continued. “I’ve grown a lot in my time right here, not solely as a music govt, however as a pacesetter. I’ll be endlessly grateful to Steve Cooper and Len Blavatnik for his or her perception in me, and for his or her help. Most importantly, I wish to thanks — all of you all over the world — I’m humbled by the help and belief you’ve so generously given me. Throughout my profession, I’ve all the time put songwriters first. It’s a philosophy that has guided me nicely. I do know you’re feeling the identical approach. So I do know that nothing goes to cease you from persevering with the nice work you might be doing for songwriters.”
Under Platt’s management, Warner/Chappell was capable of break Sony/ATV’s stranglehold on the highest spot amongst music publishers within the third quarter of 2017, after Sony/ATV had held the No. 1 place for 5 straight years courting again to 2012. On Oct. 11, Platt is ready to be honored with the Spirit of Life award on the City of Hope gala, which might be offered to him by Jay-Z.
“While we determine a brand new CEO, Jon will work with COO Carianne Marshall and the senior administration group to make sure a easy transition,” Cooper added in his memo. “With the Warner/Chappell U.S. group’s upcoming transfer to our new LA HQ, we’ve an incredible alternative to construct on our robust momentum.”
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