PALMESE FOLLOWS DAVIS
OUT THE DOOR: UPDATE
Since the first mention of Reid supplanting Davis at Arista months ago, it has been speculated that Palmese would follow suit. Palmese will leave Arista when his contract expires on June 30 to join Davis' new and as yet unnamed venture, which is expected to launch in September.
Other Arista staffers following Davis out the door—and apparently to his new venture—include Executive VP/GM Charles Goldstuck and Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing and Sales Tom Corson. Interestingly, both have mucho time left on their contracts, and Davis has yet to either publicly acknowledge their loyalty or name any key members of his new team. Obviously, if Davis' new venture winds up at BMG, the contractual issues will be more easily resolved. If Clive goes elsewhere, BMG could vent its frustration by forcing Goldstuck and Corson to sit out the remainder of their contracts. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, Reid has yet to make an official announcement regarding new Arista staffing. "The only thing I can say, without naming names, is that come July 1, we will have a head of promotion in place," he promised. The smart money is on Sr. VP Special Markets Steve Bartels taking over pop promotion and Sr. VP R&B Promotion Lionel Ridenour heading the Urban department. Additionally, Reid is in serious talks with Atlantic GM Ron Shapiro, whose current contract runs out early next year, about a slot near the top of the "new Arista" totem pole.
