Spotify’s Kevin Brown Takes Up Official Charts Company Chairman Role
Kevin Brown, Spotify's head of European label relations, has been appointed to the role of chairman for the U.K.'s Official Charts Company.
Kevin Brown, Spotify’s head of European label relations, has been appointed to the role of chairman for the U.K.’s Official Charts Company (OCC).
Effective from January 2016, Brown replaces outgoing chairman, Korda Marshall, who has held the post for the past three years.
“I am delighted to hand over to Kevin Brown, one of the most knowledgeable and assured executives in the digital music business,” said BMG U.K. senior vice president Marshall.
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During his tenure as chairman, the Official Charts Company has introduced streaming data into both its singles and albums chart and, according to the outgoing chair, “laid the foundations for including digital data in the video charts.” Marshall also helped steer the company’s through one of the biggest changes in its 60-year-plus history: the transition to a Friday global release date.
“The fact that we have done so while delivering record-breaking profits back to our industry shareholders is a great testament to [OCC chief executive] Martin Talbot and his team,” Marshall went on to say.
Brown will assume his new role of OCC chairman as a representative of the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) trade body, which owns the Official Charts Company with its joint venture partner, record labels body the BPI.
In addition to Marshall, previous OCC chairmen over the past ten years include Universal Music U.K. chairman David Joseph, former HMV chairman Steve Knott and the former Tesco entertainment chief Rob Salter.
“The Official Charts Company is widely recognized across the music industry as best in class,” said Brown in a statement. “I am delighted to take up the reins from Korda, and look forward to continuing to work with Martin and the board to ensure the UK charts reflect the rapidly evolving landscape of music and video consumption,” continued the veteran music executive, whose 30-year career has included roles general manager of indie label 4AD, marketing director of Arista and VP international for EMI Music.
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Prior to joining Spotify in April 2013, Brown ran his own global marketing consultancy. He was also head of international for 3D Artist Management, whose clients include Coldplay, Scissor Sisters and My Chemical Romance.
“He has a huge amount of experience, across many sectors of the music business – including retail, labels, management and, of course, with Spotify,” said OCC chief exec Martin Talbot, in a glowing testimony of Brown.
“I’m really looking forward to drawing on that breadth of experience as we steer the Official Charts through what is a fascinating and hugely exciting time for the entertainment sector.”