Alternative Distribution Alliance Announces Leadership Succession Plan

Changes Atop ADA

ALTERNATIVE DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE, the independent music distribution arm of WARNER MUSIC GROUP announced a leadership succession plan that will see ADA veteran DAVID ORLEANS named President, succeeding Pres./CEO MITCHELL WOLK.

Upon completion of the transition and into 2011, WOLK will remain at ADA as a consultant to help with the leadership change. In his new role, ORLEANS will oversee all day-to-day operations at ADA and will direct company strategy, including label relations, sales and marketing. ORLEANS will continue to be based in BURBANK and will report to WEA Pres./CEO MIKE JBARA.

In making the announcement, JBARA said, "I can’t say enough to thank MITCHELL for guiding ADA through some fairly significant transitions, and for doing so while enhancing its stature as the #1 indie distributor in the business and maintaining its unwavering commitment to label and artist development. It’s also a testament to the depth of talent we have at ADA to be able to move DAVID into this important role. I have every bit of confidence that he will prove to be an excellent leader for ADA. I am also thankful that as MITCHELL prepares to move on to his next career chapter, he can be here with us to help assure a seamless leadership transition."

Said ORLEANS, "Having been with ADA since its inception, I feel great pride in how this organization has evolved over the years and am impressed every day by this team’s ability to execute on ADA’s core philosophy of providing the best service for the industry’s finest roster of indie labels. I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity to continue the great work of today’s ADA -- a vision formed by ANDY ALLEN and embraced by MITCHELL. I want to thank both of them for their invaluable guidance, expertise and friendship. In my new role I will be singularly focused on expanding upon the great work that they have done to make ADA the industry’s most important independent distribution company."

"The time has come for me to explore the next chapter in my career. I appreciate that MIKE continues to be such a great partner and is so gracious in respecting my wishes to move on. We will work together to make this transition seamless," said WOLK. "It has been a great challenge and pleasure to organize the current ADA team and to personally develop the ongoing senior management structure. DAVID is the obvious choice to lead ADA, not only because he has been with the company from the beginning, but also because he helped create the core values that define ADA. DAVID’s history with ADA and his talents as a leader and executive will help assure that ADA retains and builds upon its values and strategic vision."

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