Blackstone Promoted

Richard Blackstone, president of Zomba Music Publishing, will take over as chairman and CEO of Warner / Chappell Music.

He succeeds Les Bider, who will step down after 25 years with the company following a transition period.

Blackstone joined Zomba in 1989 and was named president in 2002 following Zomba’s purchase by BMG Music.

During his tenure he has worked with artists including R. Kelly, Linkin Park, Justin Timberlake, *Nsync, Macy Gray, Limp Bizkit, Korn, and Britney Spears, to name a few.