Atlantic Announces Radio, Video Layoffs
• UPDATED, 2/28: RAMP has learned that Atlantic Music Group — Atlantic, Elektra and 300 — will be laying off around two dozen employees, primarily in the radio and video departments. This development follows the recent announcement by Robert Kyncl, Chairman of parent Warner Music Group that WMG would be eliminating some 600 employees, roughly 10% of its workforce.
The news of this imminent downsizing — initially reported by Billboard — was relayed to the staff in a memo from Atlantic Music Group Chair & CEO Julie Greenwald, which reads, in part: “Dear Atlantic, Elektra and 300, Two weeks ago, during the all hands call you heard Robert [Kyncl] and Max [Lousada] talk about the evolution of our music company. They tasked us last year to examine our staffing and ask the tough question, ‘how do we achieve maximum impact for our artists in this ever changing landscape?'”
Greenwald added, “As hard as it is to say goodbye to our friends and valued colleagues, it is critical that we keep retooling the company and add new resources and skill sets to our business units… The changes we’re making today are primarily happening in our radio and video teams.” The memo continues: “As part of this shift, I’m sorry to say about two dozen people will be leaving us from across our three labels and their imprints. We’ve already informed everyone who is impacted. I know we will all support each other, even more than usual, and I deeply appreciate your empathy and understanding.”
Greenwald also took a moment to address another issue: “We’ve all heard the same industry rumors about labels being reduced or merged into one another. I can tell you: this is not that. We’re deeply committed to the unique cultures across our labels, led by 300, Elektra and Atlantic. Craig [Kallman], Kevin [Liles], and I passionately believe these identities are crucial to attracting great artists and building great careers. We want artists to be choiceful about the culture and team they belong with, just as we’re thoughtful about deciding which artists we’re signing.”
• If you or someone you know has been downsized during this phase and would like your contact information shared with the industry, please email Kevin@RAMP247.com.
• And speaking of which… Jes Hogan (left) has exited as Elektra’s Midwest Regional Promotion Manager, based in Columbus, OH. Hogan joined Roadrunner/Atlantic in 2015, transitioned into Elektra in 2018, and continued through the merger of 300/Elektra in 2022 to present. Prior to joining WMG in 2015, Hogan spent a decade as a Promotions Coordinator with iHeartMedia Chicago. She is now available to discuss future opportunities and can be reached at Jes.Hogan31@gmail.com.
Warner Music Nashville has also eliminated several positions, leaving these three talented pros on the loose:
• WEA Eastern Regional Manager Diane Monk (second from left) exits after nearly a decade of service. Monk joined in Sept. 2014 after a stint as VP of Promotion at Skip Bishop‘s HitShop Records. Earlier stops include 13 years at Arista Records, as well as Pop promotion stints at MCA and Columbia Records. Contact her today at dmonkharrison@icloud.com.
• Bridget Herrmann (second from right), Midwest/Northeast Regional Manager of Radio, joined WMN in July 2018, following a stint as Director of Promotion at Crush Music. She started her radio promotion career at A&M/Octone Records in 2010. Herrmann is now seeking her next opportunity and can be reached at Bridget.Herrmann@gmail.com or 412-498-1796.
• Manager, Publicity Kristi Bradshaw (right) originally interned at ACM in the Spring of 2018 and was subsequently hired at Warner Music Group. She can now be reached at kristibradsh@gmail.com.
On Tuesday, more names were revealed — pictured, below, (left to right):
• Ron Poore, Atlantic SVP of Promotion, Alternative and Rock exits after 21 years. Poore previously held a similar role at RCA Records for eight years. He can be easily contacted at 201-446-3828 or ronpoore1@gmail.com.
• Ed Brennan, Atlantic’s LA-based VP of Alternative Promotion exits after 8 1/2 years. Prior to Atlantic, Brennan spent 8+ years at Wind Up/Concord working all formats, working his way up from Atlantic Regional to Northeast Regional, to Nat’l Director of Rock Formats in 2014. Earlier in his career, Brennan was the Texas-based Southwest Regional for Artemis Records. Contact Brennan at 646-413-3338 or edbrennanfrombrooklyn@gmail.com.
• Sherry Alaghehband: VP of Promotion & Radio Marketing, a 12-year Atlantic veteran. She previously spent seven years with Epic Records, starting as the Denver regional and working her way up to the DC regional rep. Alaghehband can be contacted at sherryalaghehband@gmail.com or 248-250-2866.
• Nick Marquez: Northeast Regional Promotion Manager — Marquez joined Elektra at the end of 2018 at the launch of Elektra Music Group, starting in Kansas City, before being promoted to Northeast Regional in August 2021, based in New York. Marquez gained entry into the label side as an Alternative Promotion Assistant at Warner Records, and he started his career at Rivera Broadcasting (now Desert Valley Media Group) in Phoenix in the promotions department and as Public Service Director. Marquez can be contacted at Nicholas.M.Marquez@gmail.com.
• Late Tuesday night we heard from Motti Shulman, Senior Vice President of Rhythm Promotion at 300 Elektra Entertainment, who is another of the few dozen displaced. Shulman, who got his start in 1990 at Def Jam, spent the past 18 years at Atlantic, most recently a year at 3EE. He can be contacted at motti.shulman@gmail.com.
