MUMBAI: After offering four years of service to Warner/Chappell, Cameron Strang will now focus on Warner Bros. Records as the chairman and CEO. Strang will be succeeded by Jon Platt who will become the CEO and chairman of Warner/Chappell. Platt will become CEO with effect from 1 November, 2015.
Until Strang steps down, he will hold additional responsibility as CEO and chairman of Warner Bros. Records (WBR) along with heading Warner/Chappell. However, he will continue serving as a member of the Warner Music Group Corporation board of directors. He will remain as the chairman of Warner/Chappell until May 2016, at which point Platt will become chairman.
Strang said, “I am proud of all we have achieved in growing Warner/Chappell over the last five years, by providing impeccable service to songwriters, embracing new technology, fostering an entrepreneurial culture and demonstrating industry leadership. As a result, we have reinvigorated every facet of the company and made it the place that songwriters want to call home. Ever since Jon came on board in 2012, he has played a pivotal role in our success story, making enormous contributions to the company’s rapid development. Warner/Chappell is now ready for the next phase of its ongoing evolution, and Jon is exactly the right executive for the job. He is a force of nature: a brilliant creative collaborator; a principled leader; and an inspiring mentor. He will be a terrific CEO, as he brings his dynamism and expertise to our songwriters, teams and business around the world.”
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Platt commented, “My vision for Warner/Chappell is one of peerless commitment to the songwriter and unmatched advocacy for the value of music. I see us leading the industry in our service not only to our songwriters, but also to the partners and fans that help make their livelihoods possible.”
In Platt’s current position as North American President for Warner/Chappell, he has overseen the strengthening of Warner/Chappell’s A&R activities in North America, while expanding opportunities for the company’s diverse roster of songwriters.
After taking over as CEO he will lead operations of Warner/Chappell around the world, including its offices in more than 40 countries. Platt’s association with Warner/Chappell started in 2012. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the MusiCares Foundation, and sits on the Board of the Living Legends Foundation. As a consultant, he worked with EMI Records, LaFace Records, Island Records and Atlantic Records. Platt, who began his career in the music business as a DJ, has signed names like Jay Z, Kanye West, Usher, Drake, Ludacris, Mary Mary, Young Jeezy, Fabolous and Snoop Dogg, for various labels.
Strang added, “This succession not only marks a new phase for Warner/Chappell, but will enable us to further expand our horizons at Warner Bros. Records. Our iconic label has an amazing roster of emerging and established artists, along with a dedicated, world-class team focused on creative excellence and sustained growth. Together, we are going to make Warner Bros. Records the No. 1 home for breaking artists and legendary superstars in the streaming age.”
