Warner Chappell's Mike Smith Earns Inaugural Sir George Martin Award At A&R Awards

A&R Award Winners

WARNER/CHAPPELL U.K. Managing Dir. MIKE SMITH received the inaugural SIR GEORGE MARTIN AWARD at the first-annual A&R AWARDS in LONDON, while WARNER/CHAPPELL U.K. Creative Dir. AMBER DAVIS was named A&R of the Year – Hip-Hop/Grime.

SMITH was presented with the award by DAMON ALBARN of BLUR, whom SMITH signed to a publishing deal nearly three decades ago. He officially joins WARNER/CHAPPELL MUSIC this month, following tenures at EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING, COLUMBIA RECORDS, MERCURY RECORDS and VIRGIN EMI, among others.

“MBW and the estate of the great SIR GEORGE MARTIN have introduced an important award recognizing outstanding creatives who help songwriters and artists create timeless and ground-breaking music,” WARNER/CHAPPELL Chairman/CEO JON PLATT said. “MIKE is a thoroughly deserving recipient, especially given his reputation for discovering and nurturing hugely successful and culturally significant musical talent. From his brilliant A&R instincts to his inspiring leadership style, from his commitment to the art of songwriting to his devotion to building long careers, MIKE is the consummate music man. We are thrilled that he’s part of the WARNER/CHAPPELL family.”

“I’d also like to congratulate AMBER DAVIS on her much-deserved award win, as she’s done an incredible job of helping bring to fruition some of the year’s most important music," PLATT continued. "She’s an enormously talented publisher with a very bright future, and it’s fantastic to see her recognized by MBW and ABBEY ROAD.”

“It is an incredible honor to receive an award named after the most important producer in the history of modern music, and I’m so humbled to be chosen by his family” MIKE SMITH said. “I also want to thank MBW and ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS for this recognition, but more importantly, for bringing us an event devoted to the A&R people at the heart of our business. To be able to spend your life working with brilliant songwriters and artists is a privilege and a joy, and to be receiving this award and joining the team at WARNER/CHAPPELL in the same month is simply fantastic."

The SIR GEORGE MARTIN Award, named after the legendary BEATLES producer, is defined as “recognizing an individual with a proven track record of truly artist-friendly A&R – combined with commercial success – who continues to sign contemporary hitmakers today.”

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