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La Reid confirmed as boss of Epic US

By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 19 July 2011

I must admit, I didn’t even realise that LA Reid’s new job atop Epic US hadn’t been officially announced yet. But apparently not. Until yesterday.

As previously reported, Reid, who officially left his job running Universal’s Island Def Jam division earlier this year to concentrate on his role as judge on ‘X-Factor USA’, was tipped for a job at Sony Music before he’d even cleared his desk at Universal Towers. Sony, of course, owns half of the ‘X’ franchise, plus Reid’s old boss at Universal is the new boss at Sony.

And that new boss, Doug Morris, confirmed Reid is now Chairman and CEO of Epic Records yesterday, saying: “LA has repeatedly proven over the course of his celebrated career that he knows how to develop world class artistry. We are very happy to have an executive of his talents leading Epic Records as we begin an exciting new chapter of growth for Sony Music Entertainment”.

Reid himself added: “I look forward with great enthusiasm to joining the Sony Music family as it affords us the opportunity to build Epic Recordings as the revolutionary music company of tomorrow. We are deeply committed to discovering and developing the next generation of superstars as well as implementing a fresh and innovative business model. It is also my distinct pleasure to be once again joining Doug who is an amazing leader and the most visionary and forward-thinking executive in the music entertainment industry”.

Reid joined Sony at the start of the month, having been first linked to the Epic job in mid-June. The new role will also see Reid back overseeing the La Face imprint, the label he founded back in 1989.