(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — David Massey has been named executive vice president, A&R, Sony Music Label Group U.S., and president, Daylight Records. In the role of executive vice president of A&R, Sony Music Label Group U.S., Massey will work closely with Don Ienner, as well as with the heads of the Group's labels, to create and implement long term A&R strategies for the Sony Music Label Group, as well as on the development of emerging artists already signed to the Group. He will also continue to work with Sony BMG labels from around the world to identify and develop key international artists for the U.S. market.
As president of Daylight Records, Massey will identify and develop artists for the Daylight Records label, which will serve as an A&R resource for all the labels within the Sony Music Label Group family, including Columbia Records Group, Epic Records and RED. Massey founded Daylight in late 2000 as an Epic Records Group label, and the label has subsequently signed and helped to develop a broad array of artists, in the process achieving global sales in excess of 20 million records.
"Under David's guidance, Daylight has played a critical role in helping a broad range of artists to realize extremely high levels of both creative and commercial success," said Don Ienner, president and CEO Sony Music Label Group U.S. to whom Massey reports. "With the introduction of such artists as Anastacia, Good Charlotte and Phantom Planet, David has built Daylight into an important A&R center, and with upcoming projects such as debut releases from Nicholas Jonas and Cheyenne Kimball, as well as the upcoming U.S. debut of Australian superstar Delta Goodrem, the label is continuing to gain momentum. David will also be a key resource for our labels as he works closely with Columbia Records Group President Will Botwin, and Epic Records President Steve Barnett to further expand the scope of our A&R activities, and develop new strategies for A&R and artist development for the benefit of the entire Sony Music Label Group."
"David's unique ability to identify new talent, deep understanding of the creative process, and extraordinary gift for helping the artists he works with to realize their full creative potential have earned him a reputation as one of the best A&R executives in the business," commented Michele Anthony, chief operating officer, Sony Music Label Group. "In this newly expanded role, he is in the perfect position to make major contributions to the growth and development of the label group."
Most recently Massey served as executive vice president of A&R, Sony Music U.S. and Sony Music International, since 2003. From 2001-2003 he was senior vice president, A&R, for Sony Music Entertainment. During his tenure with the company Massey has worked with a wide variety of Sony Music Entertainment artists from around the world, including Oasis, Travis, Silverchair, Lara Fabian, Big Brovaz and Play.
From 1999-2001 Massey was executive vice president, A&R, Epic Records Group, where he was responsible for discovering and developing new artists across all genres of music; evaluating and overseeing the crossover potential of Sony Music International artists for the U.S. market; and assisting the president of Epic Records Group in the oversight of the Group's A&R activities. From 1997-1999 Massey served as executive vice president/general manager, Epic Records. From 1996-1997 Massey served as senior vice president for Epic Records. He joined Epic Records in 1991 as vice president, A&R, and from 1993-1996 served as vice president, A&R/International Marketing for the label.
Prior to joining Epic, Massey was based in London where he had a successful career in artist management in addition to heading his own independent record company, Big World Records. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
