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"I have worked closely with Mel for many years and have a deep respect for his ability to balance business acumen with artistic vision."
—-Doug Morris, Sony Music Entertainment Chairman/CEO

LEWINTER NAMED EVP LABEL STRATEGY AT SME

Longtime Exec’s Relationship with SME Chairman Doug Morris Goes Back 40 Years

Reunited and it feels so good.


Mel Lewinter and Doug Morris will continue their four-decade-long partnership at Sony Music Entertainment.


The veteran record exec has been named EVP Label Strategy by SME CEO Morris.


Commented Morris: “In this role, Mel will draw upon his vast wealth of experience in the music industry to lead a variety of strategic initiatives on behalf of Sony Music.”


Lewinter will be based in New York and report to Morris.


“Mel is among the top executives in the music industry and I am very happy to have him joining us in this important role. I have worked closely with Mel for many years and have a deep respect for his ability to balance business acumen with artistic vision. He has played an invaluable part in the success of Universal Music, MCA and Warner Music, and his keen insight and knowledge of the music business will be a major asset to our company.”

The business relationship between Mel Lewinter and Doug Morris goes back to their days at Atlantic Records, when Lewinter, who originally joined the label in 1970 as a controller, replaced longtime power Sheldon Vogel as CFO. Lewinter stood behind Doug when then-WMG head Bob Morgado attempted to replace Morris’ choice of Danny Goldberg as President of Warner Bros. Records with U.K. head Rob Dickins, which prompted the famed meeting of Doug loyalists Mel, Goldberg, Sylvia Rhone, Val Azzoli, Jason Flom and Ina Meinbach, forcing Morgado to accede to Doug’s demands. When Morgado’s successor Michael Fuchs eventually fired both Morris and Lewinter, Seagram heir Edgar Bronfman Jr. snapped them up after acquiring MCA Records to form the joint venture custom label Rising Tide, which morphed into Universal Records. The rest is, as they say, history.

Commenting on his appointment, Mel said, "Over the years, Doug and I have formed a unique working relationship that is quite instinctive for both of us. I look forward to the challenge ahead and am delighted that I will be continuing my association with Doug at Sony Music."

Most recently, Mel was Chairman/CEO for Universal Motown Republic Group and, before that, he was Chairman/CEO of Universal/Motown Records Group. He previously served as Vice Chairman of MCA Music Entertainment Group, and held a number of executive roles for Warner Music Group, including Chief Operating Officer, EVP of Warner Music U.S., and Vice Chairman of The Atlantic Group.

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