Jon Platt
President of Creative, North America
Warner/Chappell Music Publishing
POWER MOVE: After 17 years spotting and signing big talent, Platt moved to Warner/Chappell and promptly inked platinum producer Mike Will Made It.
THE RUNDOWN: “Congratulations to one of the best people in this industry, Jon Platt, on his new position as head of Warner/Chappell.” That tweet from Rihanna last September laid to rest any industry speculation as to where Platt, EMI Music Publishing’s former president of North America creative, would land following the acquisition of his company by Sony/ATV Music Publishing and others.
During his 17-year tenure at EMI, Platt’s signings included Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Drake and Rick Ross. Just four months into his new gig, Platt hit the ground running and scored Mike Will Made It — co-producer of West’s platinum single “Mercy” — as his first inking (with Warner/Chappell VP of A&R Ryan Press). Hinting that several other new signings will be “game-changers,” Platt points to talents Katy Perry, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, fun., Brantley Gilbert and breakout band Grouplove, all of whom helped push Warner/Chappell to No. 1 in market share during second-quarter 2012. Platt is shooting for a similar pole position across the board in 2013.
“There are people who hit it out of the park maybe once or twice, and you don’t hear from them again,” he says. “But consistent excellence is not an accident. It goes back to serving our songwriters, being there for them every step of the way and giving them every opportunity to get every dollar they deserve. It’s about making sure the users of music understand its value.”
