Atlantic Records Names Kallman & Shapiro Co-Presidents.

Entertainment Editors

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NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2002

Atlantic Records has named Craig Kallman and Ron Shapiro Co-Presidents of the company.

The announcement was made today by Atlantic Group Co-Chairman/Co-CEO Val Azzoli, to whom they report. Kallman, who joined Atlantic in 1991, had been Executive Vice President/Office of the Chairman, and Shapiro, who joined the label in 1993, had been Executive Vice President/General Manager. No one has held the title of President at Atlantic since Azzoli was promoted from that post to Co-Chairman/Co-CEO six years ago.

Val Azzoli commented: "It gives me great pleasure to announce the promotion of two of our industry's most accomplished and admired executives to the joint Presidency of Atlantic, a first in the 54-year history of the label. The focus on teamwork has been our guiding principle, and the appointment of Craig and Ron as Co-Presidents is the epitome of that philosophy. Their diverse backgrounds complement each other perfectly, encompassing every essential aspect of our business -- from the signing of great artists and the making of great records to the successful breaking of new talent and the continued nurturing of established performers.

"This is a natural evolution for Craig and Ron, who have worked closely together over the years, drawing on their unique talents and experiences to play integral roles in the growth of the label. Their appointments are also particularly timely, as Atlantic is kicking off the new year with explosive success from several artists whom Craig and Ron have been closely involved with and have personally championed, most notably P.O.D. and Craig David, as well the triumphant return of Jewel and the impending release of the brilliant new album from Brandy.

"The entertainment business is going through a period of great change, and I believe that this move sets up a dynamic and energizing structure which will enable us to work together as a team to respond creatively and aggressively to the challenges before us. We are adapting to a new and increasing complex environment which is impacting every area of our business - whether it be A&R or marketing, sales or promotion - and Craig and Ron are ready and able to join me in charting the next cycle in the life of this great label. Atlantic has a time-honored tradition of developing top executive talent and of promoting from within our own ranks, and I congratulate Craig and Ron on this wonderful moment in their careers."

Atlantic founder and Co-Chairman/Co-CEO Ahmet Ertegun commented: "Since day one, Atlantic has been run by real music people, and Craig and Ron continue that important legacy. Regardless of how sophisticated our industry has become over the last half-century, it's still about making a great record and then exposing that record to as many people as possible. Craig and Ron are two of the most intelligent, creative, and hard-working people I have met in my many years in this business, and their promotions are richly deserved. Together with Val, they form an incredible leadership team that I am confident will be making and selling a lot of great records for many years to come."

Individually and collectively, Kallman and Shapiro have been closely involved in developing the careers of such platinum and multi-platinum Atlantic artists as Aaliyah, Tori Amos, Brandy, Collective Soul, The Corrs, Craig David, Hootie & the Blowfish, Jewel, Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim, matchbox twenty, P.O.D., Stone Temple Pilots, Sugar Ray, Trick Daddy, Trina, and others.

Craig Kallman joined Atlantic Records as a Vice President in 1991, when his highly successful Big Beat label was acquired by The Atlantic Group. In 1995, Kallman was promoted to Senior Vice President of Atlantic Records. While continuing to oversee Big Beat's operations, he took an active role in the development of Atlantic's Urban Music Department. In 1997, he was named Executive Vice President/Office of the Chairman and began to oversee the company's A&R Department, while becoming increasingly involved in a variety of label ventures as well as spearheading its activities in soundtrack recordings and cast albums.

Kallman began his music industry career as a DJ at many of New York's top clubs. He started Big Beat Records as an independent label following his graduation from Brown University in 1987.

Ron Shapiro joined Atlantic Records in 1993 as Vice President of Media & Artist Relations, based in Los Angeles. The following year, he was upped to Senior Vice President/West Coast General Manager, supervising the day-to-day operation of the company's Los Angeles offices. With his appointment as Atlantic's Senior Vice President/General Manager in 1995, Shapiro relocated to the label's headquarters in New York, where he began to oversee the company's day-to-day activities. In 1997, he was promoted to Executive Vice President/ General Manager, recognizing his expanding involvement in the company's overall operations.

Shapiro came to Atlantic from a four-year stint at MCA Records, where he advanced from National Publicity Director to Vice President, Public Relations. Prior to MCA, he was Senior Director, Media & Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI. He is a graduate of Vassar College.

The Atlantic Group is a Warner Music Group company. Warner Music Group is a division of AOL Time Warner Inc.

Note: A Photo is available at URL:

Craig Kallman:

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.010702/bb15

Ron Shapiro:

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.010702/bb15a