NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing division of Warner Music Group, revealed on Friday that Chairman and CEO Jon Platt was departing from the company.
In a regulatory filing on Friday, Warner/Chappell said that Platt had as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors effective September 12, 2018, and will resign as Warner/Chappell Music’s Chairman and CEO with a separation date effective December 31, 2018, or an earlier date designated by Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
As a result of his departure, Platt will receive his base salary through the separation date and will be eligible for a discretionary bonus for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, in accordance with the terms of his 2016 contract with the publishing giant.
Warner/Chappell said that Platt will work with Carianne Marshall, Warner/Chappell Music’s COO and other members of Warner/Chappell Music’s senior management team while the publisher identifies a replacement.
In an internal memo to Warner/Chappell employees obtained by Billboard, Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper said: “Warner/Chappell is a very different company than the one he joined in 2012, and he leaves it well positioned for continued growth and change. Our songwriters’ success in shaping the hits of today and the sounds of tomorrow is attracting a wealth of creative talent at all stages of their careers. At the same time, our outstanding global team is growing its reputation for always backing our songwriters with integrity and ambition.”
While Platt has not formally revealed his future plans, Billboard reported that sources at Warner/Chappell indicated he might be he may be headed to Sony/ATV, which has been overseen by Martin Bandier since 2007.
Platt, who spent almost two decades in various senior roles at EMI, joined Warner/Chappell in 2012, first as President and in 2015, Chairman and CEO. Under Platt, Warner/Chappell has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of music publishing. Warner/Chappell’s catalogue consists of over one million compositions and 65,000 composers, with offices in over 40 countries.
Warner/Chappell is home to labels such as Asylum, Atlantic, Warner Bros, Warner Music Nashville, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Roadrunner, and numerous others. Their catalogue includes hits by Eric Clapton, Barry Gibb, Gamble & Huff, Madonna, Jay-Z, Led Zeppelin, and Stephen Sondheim among others.
