NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Barnett has been named Chairman,
Columbia Records Group, it was announced today by Don Ienner, Chief Executive
Officer, and Michele Anthony, President and Chief Operating Officer, Sony
Music Label Group U.S. Mr. Barnett, formerly President of Epic Records, is
based in New York and reports to Mr. Ienner and Ms. Anthony. Steve Greenberg
will continue as President, Columbia Records.
In his new role, Mr. Barnett will be responsible for the overall
management of Columbia Records Group.
"I met Steve over a decade ago when he was the manager for AC/DC and we
were working together on the soundtrack for Last Action Hero. We quickly
became friends," commented Don Ienner. "Steve came to Epic while I was
running Columbia, and, although the labels competed with each other, nothing
got in the way of our friendship. Since that time, I've watched him become a
true leader. It was great to see him realize such incredible success after I
made him the head of Epic, and my respect and admiration for him has continued
to grow. With impressive artist development success stories, Steve has
orchestrated an incredible turnaround at Epic Records and built it into a
powerhouse. His creative approach to the marketplace and track record of
putting together winning strategies combined with his success at Epic make him
the right executive at the right time to lead Columbia into the next great
phase of its evolution."
"Steve's dedication to his artists and employees is absolute," commented
Ms. Anthony. "He knows exactly what it takes to assemble an incredible team.
Steve delivered amazing results at Epic. He is the consummate music executive
-- there are few people in this business who are more focused on artist
development and team building."
"Columbia is one of the most prestigious names in this business, and I
thank both Don and Michele for the opportunity to contribute to its rich
heritage," commented Steve Barnett. "I look forward to working with the
label's fantastic artists, many of whom have made Columbia their home for
their entire career. It will also be great to work with the many talented
executives on the Columbia team, as well as to expand the audience of the
label's amazing roster of superstars."
Mr. Barnett was President, Epic Records since 2004. For the four years
prior to that, he was Executive Vice President, General Manager, Epic Records
where he was key in establishing a wide variety of artists, including Shakira,
Jennifer Lopez, Franz Ferdinand, Howie Day, Modest Mouse, Good Charlotte, and
Los Lonely Boys. He was instrumental in bringing legendary rock artists AC/DC
to the label, and helped solidify an innovative marketing agreement with
Integrity Music Group, one of the fastest growing companies in the Christian
Music market.
From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Barnett was Executive Vice President, Worldwide
Marketing, Epic Records & 550 Music. Beginning in 1997, he was Senior Vice
President, Worldwide Marketing, Epic Records. He joined Epic Records in 1996
as Senior Vice President, International. Previously, he had served as
President of Hard To Handle Management, where his clients included AC/DC,
Cyndi Lauper, M People and Foreigner, among other artists. Prior to
establishing Hard To Handle, Mr. Barnett was a partner in the UK artist
management firm Part Rock from 1980 until the establishment of Hard To Handle,
Part Rock's U.S. company, in 1988.
| |
SOURCE Sony Music Label Group U.S.
 back to top
CONTACT:
John McKay, +1-212-833-5520, for Sony Music
Label Group U.S.
| |
|
