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Ferdy Unger-Hamilton to run Columbia Records in the UK

By | Published on Tuesday 1 November 2016

Sony Music

Sony Music UK yesterday announced that Ferdy Unger-Hamilton had been appointed President of its Columbia Records division, replacing Alison Donald and Mark Terry, who have together headed up the unit since 2012.

Unger-Hamilton has been expected to launch a new joint venture business with Sony since he departed his previous job running Universal’s Polydor label. And that is still seemingly part of the plan, though Unger-Hamilton – who previously worked with current Sony Music UK boss Jason Iley when they were both Universal execs – will also have all things Columbia UK on his plate too.

Says Iley: “Ferdy is a true artists’ man; someone who has an unparalleled track record for nurturing and breaking artists on a global scale. I am delighted to have such a world-class executive joining Columbia Records and am also particularly looking forward to renewing our working relationship, which has proved so successful in the past”.

Noting one of the Sony label’s most famous artists, Unger-Hamilton himself adds: “I was about thirteen years old when I first heard Bob Dylan after my mum left a cassette of ‘Biograph’ lying around. Columbia Records changed my life! It has always been the ultimate artist company. The US team has done such an incredible job – and you can’t imagine how much it means to me to be asked by Jason to lead the UK company. I will try to do it justice”.

Last time Iley and Unger-Hamilton collaborated at Universal they co-launched Keane and their six million selling debut album ‘Hope & Fears’. But don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll all be fine this time. Besides, Iley is one of the names being mooted as a possible replacement for Rob Stringer over at Columbia US after he moves up to the overall top job at Sony Music.



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