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"Their appointments are 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."
—--Atlantic Co-Chair/Co-CEO
Val Azzoli

CRAIG AND RON'S PREXY-LENT ADVENTURE

Kallman and Shapiro Tapped as
Atlantic Co-Presidents
As you first read on our rumor mill, label vets Craig "Last" Kallman and "Da Do Ron" Ron Shapiro have been named Co-Presidents of Atlantic Records by Atlantic Group Co-Chairman/Co-CEO Val "E. of the Dolls" Azzoli, to whom they'll report.

Kallman, who joined the label in 1991, had been Exec. VP/Office of the Chairman, while Shapiro, who joined the label in 1993, had been Exec. VP/GM. The post of President had been vacant at Atlantic since Azzoli was upped to Co-Chairman/Co-CEO six years ago.

Commented Azzoli: "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. I just hope they're able to share the same desk.

"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," Azzoli added. "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 as the triumphant return of Jewel and the impending release of the brilliant new album from Brandy. And one day, I even hope to meet them."

The label's founder and Co-Chairman/Co-CEO Ahmet Ertegun added: "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. I haven't been this excited since I first heard Joe Turner sing the blues."

Kallman joined Atlantic in 1991, when his Big Beat label was acquired by the Atlantic Group. He was upped to Sr. VP in 1995 and in '97, Exec. VP/Office of the Chairman, when he began to oversee the label'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.

Shapiro joined the label in 1993 as VP Media & Artist Relations before being upped to Sr. VP/W.C. GM a year later. He was named Sr. VP/GM in '95, relocating to the label's headquarters in New York. In '97, he was upped to Exec. VP/GM. Prior to that, he had stints in corporate communications at BMI and MCA.

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