Report: Warner/Chappell Music Chairman/CEO Jon Platt To Exit

Jon Platt

WARNER/CHAPPELL MUSIC Chairman/CEO JON PLATT will leave the company before the end of this year, according to internal memos obtained by VARIETY. One such memo from WARNER MUSIC Chief STEVE COOPER read, “As some of you have heard from JON PLATT, he will be leaving WARNER/CHAPPELL before the end of this calendar year. An announcement will be made in due course about where he’s headed."

Speculation is that PLATT will take over SONY/ATV to succeed longtime head MARTIN BANDIER, whose contract is reportedly up in APRIL 2019.

COOPER's memo continued: “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 we identify a new CEO, JON will work with COO CARIANNE MARSHALL and the senior management team to ensure a smooth transition. With the WARNER/CHAPPELL U.S. team’s upcoming move to our new L.A. HQ, we have a great opportunity to build on our strong momentum.”

Speaking in a memo, PLATT said: “Our songwriters have become the standard for creative excellence. Our team has built WARNER/CHAPPELL into the strongest company it’s ever been. We’ve done it together, and we’ve done it our own way. I have no doubt that you can reach even higher.

“WMG is an amazing company. I’ve grown so much in my time here, not only as a music executive, but as a leader. I’ll be forever grateful to STEVE COOPER and [WARNER MUSIC owner] LEN BLAVATNIK for their belief in me, and for their support. Most importantly, I want to thank you – all of you around the world – I am humbled by the support and trust you’ve so generously given me.”

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