Julie Greenwald will step down from her role as co-chairman/COO of Atlantic Records and president/CEO of Atlantic Music Group, she announced during a company town hall on Tuesday (August 6). She will be succeeded in her role as President/CEO of Atlantic Music Group by CEO/Founder of 10K Projects Eliot Grangeeffective October 1.
The Zoom call lasted about 10-15 minutes, according to label sources. Greenwald's announcement of her departure was told by the staff she spoke with Advertising sign to be both “classy,” “inspiring” and “empowering,” with the longtime executive focusing on the success she's enjoyed at Atlantic over the past two decades and clarifying that she will officially step down at the end of January 2025.
Tuesday's announcement comes just five days after it was announced that Warner Music Group would undergo a major executive shake-up that would see the CEO of recorded music Max Lusanda stepping down at the end of September, Grainge steps up to the role of CEO of Atlantic Music Group effective Oct. 1, and Greenwald moves into the role of president of Atlantic Music Group, a move described in a press release as a “leadership transition.” The changes are believed to be far-reaching and indicative of a generational shift at Warner Music Group, which is led by CEO Robert Kyncl from 1 January 2023.
One of the most celebrated executives in music, Greenwald has spent the last 20 years of her career at Atlantic and has become almost synonymous with the storied label. During her tenure at the helm of Atlantic Music Group, she shepherded the careers of artists including Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Twenty One Pilots, Brandi Carlile, Charli XCX, Lil Uzi Vert and dozens more. She was named The billboard 2017 Women in Music Executive of the Year.
Greenwald drove the Atlantic together Craig Kalman, co-chairman/CEO of Atlantic Records and the A&R mastermind behind the business. Kallman will continue to hold the title of CEO of Atlantic Records.
At the time of the restructuring announcement, Greenwald said in a statement: “My entire career has been about growing baby bands into career artists and empowering our amazing people to change culture in unexpected ways. It's been 20 years since I walked through the door at Atlantic and began the task of re-architecting this iconic label. I couldn't do it without the deep passion and dedication of my incredible team and our incredible artists, who make music that inspires and moves people everywhere. Finally, I want to welcome Elliot. I look forward to working with him as we continue to place our artists and their music at the heart of this company.”
Additional reporting by Melinda Newman.
