Those of you who left for Glastonbury as employees of East West or WEA London return to new companies this morning, because the post-Bronfmann-Jnr-takeover restructuring of Warner Music reached the UK this weekend as the major label's two main London based divisions were re-branded to fall in line with their US companies.
As of Friday, Warners UK divisions East West and WEA London will be known as Atlantic and Warner Bros respectively. The former will be headed up by Korda Marshall, who became a senior player at Warner UK after they acquired his previous employer Mushroom last year. The latter is seeking a new MD, and in the meantime will be run by Warner UK boss Nick Phillips.
Anyone wondering why the need for the name change just isn't thinking laterally. Surely it's obvious that: "this name change is a clear signal that we want to send out for our newly independent company, that our primary objective is to renew focus on artists and music. Which better names would you dream of calling a record company than Warner Bros. and Atlantic." Or at least that's what Warner Music International boss Paul Rene Albertini reckons, and who are we to argue?
Nick Phillips added: "Warner Music UK is excited to build on the heritage of two of the strongest record labels in the US, in WMI's most important market. Warner Bros. Records is one of the largest record companies in the US and has become the most successful record label in history, while Atlantic Records has a rich heritage which is second to none."
On heading up the UK division of Atlantic Records, Korda Marshall told reporters: "I am proud to be running a record company with the history and legacy Ahmet Ertegun brought to the world. It has always been well-known for the unparalleled depth and breadth of talent, and I look forward to continuing to develop great artists who are excited to come to Atlantic."
A similar re-brand is now expected to take place in other Warner territories - although in many other countries Warner no longer operates as two separate divisions, and there the Atlantic and Warner Bros brands will exist as two imprints within one company.
Good news for stationery printers then - whether it will be such good news for the artists on those labels remains to be seen - the big post-takeover roster cull is still pending.