Sony Music has now confirmed the departure of top-ranked executive Barry Weiss, and that is sparking rumors of a much broader kind. In fact, sources to Digital Music News are now pointing to a potentially huge game of musical chairs, one involving Universal Music Group and its exiting CEO, Doug Morris. According to sources, Morris appears ready to grab the reins at Sony Music.
Current Sony Music head Rolf Shmidt-Holtz is expected to depart in Q1 of next year.
If confirmed, Morris would get a very satisfying wave to incoming UMG chief Lucian Grainge, apparently beefing with Morris over a number of issues. That includes very "rough handling" of top lieutenants like IDJ chief Antonio "LA" Reid, Universal Motown's Sylvia Rhone, and even Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine, according to sources close to the restructuring.
Suddenly, the puzzle pieces are making sense. Weiss may be overlooking east coast labels for UMG, a potential replacement for Reid. And Reid, unceremoniously disrespected by Grainge - and almost fired - may be ready to follow Morris to the new Sony nest. "What they did to Reid was completely disrespectful, and totally unprofessional," one IDJ executive told Digital Music News
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