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Mike Smith Named Managing Director, Warner/Chappell UK

May 5, 2016

Renowned executive who signed Blur, Calvin Harris, Mark Ronson, Arcade Fire, The Libertines, and Arctic Monkeys to join publisher’s senior team

Warner/Chappell Music, the global music publishing company within Warner Music Group, today announced it is further strengthening its senior leadership team.  Effective from November, renowned creative executive Mike Smith is appointed Managing Director of Warner/Chappell UK.  Smith will join from Virgin EMI, where he was appointed President of Music in 2013.  Smith will report to Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell, who – on an interim basis – is overseeing UK operations until Smith’s arrival.

Jon Platt said:  “Throughout his brilliant career, across both music publishing and recorded music, Mike has demonstrated his commitment to the art of songwriting, putting great songs at the heart of everything he does.  His inspiring leadership style, thoughtful approach to building creative careers, and unquenchable thirst for new music all make him ideally suited for Warner/Chappell.”

He added:  “Now more than ever, the British music scene is producing a thrilling depth and diversity of world-class talent.  With Mike overseeing our UK operations, we will be even more powerful as a global destination for the most distinctive, popular, and culturally significant songwriters in the world.”

Mike Smith 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.  First, he brought in Paul Kahn as CFO; he then promoted Katie Vinten and Ryan Press to Co-Heads of A&R in the U.S. (excluding Nashville); and he named Chuck Gamble as VP, Catalog Promotions.  At the beginning of this month, Platt assumed the role of Chairman, adding to his responsibilities as Warner/Chappell’s CEO.

Smith 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 also worked with artists such as Robbie Williams, PJ Harvey, The Verve, and Beth Orton.

In 2006, Smith was appointed Managing Director of Columbia Records UK.  He signed artists including Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, Glasvegas, Band of Horses, Gossip, Katy B, Madeon, MGMT, Ryan Adams, Miike Snow, The Civil Wars, and The Vaccines.  He also worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Kasabian, and Kings of Leon.   

Smith became President of Music at Mercury Records in 2012, overseeing the signing of The Strypes, Duke Dumont, Iggy Azalea, Slaves, and The Vamps.  He was named President of Virgin EMI when the label was formed the following year, going on to sign The Chemical Brothers, The Libertines, and Squeeze.

Since 2010, Smith has been a trustee of the charity New Deal of The Mind, which works to encourage job creation within the creative industries.  Mike is also recognized for his paintings and sketches of musicians, with exhibitions of his work around the country, including Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester and Somerset House in London.