New York, NY (Top40 Charts / Republic Records) Republic Records Chairman and CEO Monte Lipman and Republic Records President and COO Avery Lipman announced today that veteran entrepreneur and music executive, Charlie Walk, has been promoted to President of The Republic Group, effective immediately. At the newly formed Republic Group, Walk will create business opportunities and strategic alliances, as well as provide marketing and promotional services to partner labels, including American, Brushfire, Casablanca, Cash Money, John Varvatos, Lava, Monkeywrench and XO Records.
Leveraging and contributing to Republic's exceptional track record in signing and developing new artists, Walk will focus on creating entrepreneurial opportunities and commercial partnerships to benefit Republic's artist roster and partner labels. He will continue to oversee marketing, media, promotion, and strategic marketing. His duties also still encompass spearheading promotion services for Island Records and pop initiatives for Big Machine Label Group. He will remain based in New York and report to Monte Lipman.
Monte Lipman said, "Charlie is one of the most determined, imaginative, and fearless executives that I've ever worked with. In addition to his extraordinary instincts and tenacity for identifying, developing, and breaking new artists, Charlie will now have even more latitude to help steer Republic into uncharted waters with this new position. The formation of the Republic Group reflects our bullish outlook for the future of this business and all the opportunities that exist."
Avery Lipman said, "As Republic looks to the future and begins to widen its scope, I cannot think of a better executive to help lead this effort. His imagination and innovative view of the world is literally redefining what it means to be a music company."
"Passionate and visionary executives like Charlie are making Universal
Music the industry leader in breaking new artists and helping our superstars achieve new heights," said Michele Anthony, Executive Vice President at Universal
Music Group. "I'm proud to have worked with Charlie for many years and I'm pleased to congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion."
"At Republic we have redefined our position in the music entertainment business and marketplace as a global leader," said Walk. "The label's culture is built on evolving as quickly as the landscape changes, and being in sync with our artists every step of the way. I want to thank Michele, Monte, and Avery for empowering me to explore uncharted territory and embracing progressive thinking when it comes to breaking artists and further establishing career superstars. I look forward to continuing to work with our incredible team of executives and partners, helping to redefine the role of a modern music company."
Walk joined Republic Records in 2013 as Executive Vice President, overseeing the company's marketing, media, and promotion departments and playing a key role in developing artists including
Ariana Grande,
Lorde and The Weeknd. Since that time, he has developed innovative promotional strategies and marketing services for partner labels, leading to numerous artist successes.
About Republic Records
A division of Universal
Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as
Ariana Grande,
Black Sabbath, Florence + the Machine, Godsmack, Gotye,
James Blake,
James Bay, John Mellencamp, Keith Richards, Nickelback, Of Monsters and Men, Seth MacFarlane, Zendaya, among many others. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures including American Recordings (The Avett Brothers), Brushfire (Jack Johnson), Cash Money (Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj), John Varvatos Records (Zac Brown Band), Lava Records (Jessie J, Lorde), Monkeywrench (Pearl Jam),
Casablanca Records (Stromae, Tïesto), NBC's The Voice, XO (The Weeknd), School Boy Records (PSY, Sheppard), among others. In addition, Republic maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with country powerhouse Big Machine Label Group which is comprised of Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, The Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line, The Eli Young Band) and Dot Records (Maddie + Tae).
About Charlie Walk
Charlie Walk began his music career as a college marketing representative for Sony Music, while attending
Boston University's School of Management. After graduating in 1990, he joined Sony
Music as a full-time marketing and promotion manager, eventually ascending to become head of the promotion division. In 1999, he was named the label's Executive Vice President of Marketing and Promotion and he worked directly with artists including Beyoncé, Aerosmith, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, Will Smith, John Legend, The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean,
Maxwell and more.
In 2006, Walk was appointed President of Epic Records, where he helped foster the careers of stars such as Michael Jackson, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Ozzy Osbourne,
Fiona Apple and Sade, while emphasizing and developing young acts such as The Script, The Fray,
Sean Kingston and Natasha Bedingfield. Three years later, he co-founded J-Walk, a New York-based advertising and marketing firm representing brands such as Lacoste, Equinox, DeLeón tequila, Vita Coco, bebe and SoulCycle.
Walk joined Republic Records in 2013 as Executive Vice President, prior to his current position of President of the newly formed Republic Group.
