Warner/Chappell Music, Warner’s global music publishing business, has announced the appointment of Mike Smith as managing director.
Mike joins from Virgin EMI where he has worked as president of music since 2013.
He began his career in 1988 as a talent scout for MCA Music Publishing, where he signed artists such as Blur. In 1992, he began a 14-year stint at EMI Music Publishing, where he progressed to the position of head of A&R.
His signings included Elastica, Supergrass, Doves, The Beta Band, Gorillaz, The White Stripes, The Libertines, Scissor Sisters, Arcade Fire, and Arctic Monkeys. He has also worked with artists such as Robbie Williams, PJ Harvey, The Verve and Beth Orton.
Commenting, Mike said: ‘Having started my career in music publishing, it is exciting to be returning to a sector of the industry where I enjoyed so many great times.
‘Warner/Chappell is one of the real icons of music publishing, and it is an honour and a privilege to have been asked to help guide this great company and the amazing songwriters and catalogues it represents. I'm really looking forward to working with Jon and the rest of the global team.’
This appointment is the latest in a series of moves that Jon Platt has made since taking the reins as Warner/Chappell’s CEO in November 2015.
His appointments include Paul Kahn as chief financial officer, and promoting Katie Vinten and Ryan Press to co-heads of A&R in the US.
Mike joins from Virgin EMI where he has worked as president of music since 2013.
He began his career in 1988 as a talent scout for MCA Music Publishing, where he signed artists such as Blur. In 1992, he began a 14-year stint at EMI Music Publishing, where he progressed to the position of head of A&R.
His signings included Elastica, Supergrass, Doves, The Beta Band, Gorillaz, The White Stripes, The Libertines, Scissor Sisters, Arcade Fire, and Arctic Monkeys. He has also worked with artists such as Robbie Williams, PJ Harvey, The Verve and Beth Orton.
Commenting, Mike said: ‘Having started my career in music publishing, it is exciting to be returning to a sector of the industry where I enjoyed so many great times.
‘Warner/Chappell is one of the real icons of music publishing, and it is an honour and a privilege to have been asked to help guide this great company and the amazing songwriters and catalogues it represents. I'm really looking forward to working with Jon and the rest of the global team.’
This appointment is the latest in a series of moves that Jon Platt has made since taking the reins as Warner/Chappell’s CEO in November 2015.
His appointments include Paul Kahn as chief financial officer, and promoting Katie Vinten and Ryan Press to co-heads of A&R in the US.
