Veteran Atlantic/Elektra A&R & Marketing Exec Rises to Top Spot at Iconic Label
Gregg Nadel has been named President of Elektra Records, a division of the Atlantic Records Group. The announcement was made today by Atlantic Chairman & CEO Craig Kallman and Chairman & COO Julie Greenwald. Nadel, who has been General Manager of Elektra for the past two years, is a twenty-year veteran of the Atlantic family. Prior to becoming Elektra’s GM in early 2015, he was Senior VP, A&R and Marketing, for Atlantic. Nadel will continue to be based at Atlantic’s headquarters in New York City.
Nadel joined Atlantic straight out of college in 1997. Moving up the A&R ranks, he went on to sign such artists as Zac Brown Band, 2016 multi-Grammy nominee Sturgill Simpson, and acclaimed Icelandic band Kaleo, among others. At the same time, he honed his marketing skills, leading to his spearheading of campaigns for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Vance Joy. In 2015, he forged a partnership between Elektra and Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb’s Low Country Sound label, whose releases thus far include the celebrated Southern Family compilation.
“Atlantic has a homegrown tradition of nurturing our leaders from within the family, and Gregg is a shining example of that philosophy,” said Craig Kallman. “He has literally grown up at this company, evolving into one of the most gifted and admired A&R people in the business, while at the same time becoming a marketing ace for superstars and new artists alike. Each label within Atlantic has a distinct, independent point of view, and Gregg has proven time and time again that he has the vision, taste, deep knowledge, and broad experience that make him the perfect choice to carry the esteemed Elektra name into the future.”
“I first met Gregg 12 years ago when I joined Atlantic,” said Julie Greenwald. “He was a very smart, thoughtful marketing guy who was also doing A&R and had identified some great baby acts. So Craig and I decided to split him down the middle – I’d work with him on marketing and promotion strategy, and Craig would teach him how to become an amazing record-maker. As a result, Gregg is a real rarity in our business – a great A&R guy who can also put together a killer marketing campaign from the ground up. There is no doubt his superb taste and business savvy will make the new Elektra a center of musical excellence.”
Elektra founder Jac Holzman noted, “I’ve come to know and admire Gregg’s passion for new music, the quality of his choices, and his willingness to go out on a limb — all key to having multiple successes.”
“I am thrilled to be part of a new chapter in the history of this revered label,” said Gregg Nadel. “Since the day Jac Holzman launched Elektra as an indie label nearly 67 years ago, the label has stood for quality, driven by an artist-centric, entrepreneurial spirit. I’m looking forward to carrying on that tradition by making Elektra a home for special artists with unique visions. Having spent my entire career in the Atlantic family, being given the opportunity to oversee one of its legendary labels is a dream come true. I want to thank Craig and Julie for this fantastic opportunity.”
The Elektra Records roster today includes artists such as Fitz and the Tantrums, Kaleo, Anderson East, Brent Cobb, Saint Motel, Finish Ticket, and others. Founded in 1950 by music pioneer Jac Holzman, Elektra is one of the most influential and iconic labels in the business, from its origins in traditional folk and ethnic music to launching the careers of such seminal artists as Judy Collins, the Doors, and the Stooges. Defined since its inception by an artist-driven environment, the label has championed a boundary-crossing roster, from the Eagles to Metallica, from Natalie Cole to Missy Elliott. In 2004, with the new independence of Warner Music Group following its sale by Time Warner, Elektra was merged into the Atlantic Records Group and officially relaunched in 2009.
