(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Charlie Walk, formerly executive vice president, Creative Marketing & Promotion, Columbia Records Group, has been promoted to president, Epic Records. Walk is based in New York and will report to both Don Ienner, chief executive officer Sony Music Label Group U.S., and Michele Anthony, president and chief operating 0fficer, Sony Music Label Group U.S. In his new role, Mr. Walk will be responsible for the overall management of Epic Records.
"Charlie brings incredible drive, creativity and determination to his work," said Ienner. "I first met Charlie over eighteen years ago during his earliest days in the industry when he was working as a college rep for the Company. I was so impressed with his potential that I quickly brought him up through the ranks at Columbia. He has done a stand-out job, and I've never seen him settle for second best. It gives me great pleasure to have seen Charlie go from putting up posters to heading up one of our labels. I know his dedication to excellence, insistence on success, and natural abilities as a leader make him the right choice to capitalize on Epic's many successes, and guide the label into the future."
"Charlie is someone who is willing to climb mountains for his artists and his employees, and that enthusiasm has earned him the respect of the entire industry," said Anthony. "I look forward to working with him as we continue to develop the team. I am excited to see him take this next step and I know he's going to do a great job at Epic."
"Taking the reigns at Epic is a tremendous opportunity for me. Steve Barnett has created the perfect environment to nurture artists and has built a great organization with highly skilled and committed executives at every level," said Walk. "I'd like to thank both Don and Michele for giving me this amazing opportunity. Don has been my mentor for nearly two decades, and I'm grateful for the support and guidance he has given me. In working with Michele so closely over the years, it has been terrific to find that we have a shared vision for the development of the labels and a mutual passion for our artists. I know that by all of us working together we can make important contributions to Epic's amazing legacy."
Walk began his career in the music industry in 1987 as a college marketing representative for Sony Music Distribution's New England branch. In 1990, he became an account service representative for the branch. Six months later, he joined Columbia Records as a promotion manager covering the Northeast Region. In 1994, he became associate director, Pop Promotion, Columbia Records. He was promoted to director, Pop Promotion later that year, and then became senior director, Pop Promotion. He was made vice president, Pop Promotion, in 1997 and promoted to senior vice president, Pop Promotion in 1998. Walk became senior vice president, Promotion, Columbia Records, in 1999, and a year later became executive vice president, Promotion, Columbia Records Group. He was promoted to executive vice president, Creative Marketing & Promotion in 2004.
