Perry Named New Head Of Columbia Records

Sony Music Entertainment – Ron Perry

Ron Perry was officially named Chairman and CEO of Columbia Records by Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer.

He is filling the spot vacated by Stringer, who became the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment in April. Perry will be based in New York, where he will report to Stringer.

Stated Stringer, “Ron is an immensely dynamic and forward-thinking executive who excels at bringing the best out of artistic vision. After his enormous success in recent years, we are thrilled to have Ron join Sony Music and lead the great team and unparalleled roster at the legendary Columbia Records label.”

Perry is the co-founder of Songs Music Publishing, where he was president and a minority partner since it was founded in 2004. The company, which own owns the rights to music by The Weeknd, DJ Mustard, Diplo and Lorde, announced in December that it would sell its catalog to music publishing and artists services company Kobalt Music Publishing for $160 million.

Perry, 38, has been credited with the A&R on Lorde’s Grammy 2017 album of the year nominated Melodrama, and for pairing The Weeknd and Daft Punk together on singles “Starboy” and “I Fell It Coming.” He is filling the spot vacated by Stringer, who became the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment in April.

The move stabilizes Sony Music’s executive team, as Columbia Records and Epic Records have been run by interim bosses in the past year. Former Epic CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid stepped down in May following sexual harassment allegations.