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“I want to thank Lucian and Jimmy for their belief in me and for fostering an environment that values artistry and entrepreneurship above all else.”

JANICK TO SUCCEED IOVINE AT IGA

Former Indie Entrepreneur, Who Has Put His Stamp on the Company During the last 20 months, Will Become Chairman/CEO

The acqihire is in effect, and so is the succession plan.

Concurrent with Jimmy Iovine’s move to Apple later this year (see our story), 36-year-old John Janick will become Chairman/CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, succeeding Iovine. The deal expected to close in Apple’s fiscal Q4, which ends on 9/30, which would officially put Janick in the driver’s seat as IGA enters the all-important calendar fourth quarter.

The announcement, which emanated from UMG at 1:30pm PDT, occasioned the requisite cavalcade of celebratory quotes from the principals.

Big kahuna Lucian Grainge: "I’m thrilled to announce John Janick’s promotion to Chairman and CEO of IGA. Since coming to UMG nearly two years ago, he has consistently shown why he is widely regarded as one of the most talented, innovative and entrepreneurial executives in the music business today and will be a key player in the future generation of industry leaders. John is the ideal executive to be writing the next chapter in IGA’s illustrious history.

"What Jimmy has done for IGA and UMG is immeasurable. I cannot express how enormously grateful I am for both his partnership and his friendship. While we will miss him as a member of the UMG family, with his appointment at Apple, Jimmy will now be in a position to expand and extend his singular vision and talent, the result of which will, undoubtedly, accelerate the growth of the entire music industry. We look forward to the next exciting phase of Jimmy’s extraordinary career as that special creative spark Jimmy brings to whatever he touches leads to innovations and advances in entertainment and technology that will delight music fans around the world."

Iovine: "John Janick has exactly what it takes to lead Interscope Geffen A&M: he started his own label, he understands the art of making records and the unique dynamic between a record label and artist, as well as the enormous responsibility that comes with representing one of the greatest artist rosters ever assembled. It's always been so important to me to be able to identify and train the right successor, so I’m thrilled to have found John Janick. And during the last few years, as I was preparing John to take the reins, Lucian Grainge was transforming UMG, a transformation that made it possible for me to make this transition knowing that Interscope is in good hands."

Janick: "To have been able to work alongside Jimmy Iovine and contribute to the current success of Interscope Geffen A&M—three of the most storied brands in music—has been an extraordinary privilege. Now, to be appointed Jimmy’s successor and be in a position to carry on his tradition of creative excellence and innovation is a truly humbling honor. I want to thank Lucian and Jimmy for their belief in me and for fostering an environment that values artistry and entrepreneurship above all else."

Janick, joined IGA in October 2012 and immediately took over the day-to-day oversight of the company, initiating a wall-to-wall restructuring Since then, IGA has racked up hits from Eminem, Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, Phillip Phillips and Robin Thicke, and last year achieved one of its most profitable years in a decade.

He began his career in 1996 when he co-founded Fueled by Ramen in his dorm room while an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Florida. Over the next few years, the small indie label grew even as Janick earned a BA in finance and business management and then an MBA at the University of South Florida. In 2003, the label achieved a breakthrough hit with the release of Fall Out Boy’s Take This to Your Grave, followed by hits from Panic! at the Disco and Paramore. In 2010, Janick signed fun., and a year later relaunched Elektra for WMG, where he oversaw big projects for Bruno Mars and Cee Lo Green before making the move to Interscope.

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