Día: 22 de marzo de 2024

Los Angeles, CA – June 1, 2023 – Epic Records today announced the appointment of Ezekiel Lewis to President. He will continue to report to Sylvia Rhone, Epic Records’ Chairwoman and CEO, and to lead the A&R division while helping run the day-to-day operations of the Company.

Lewis has served as the company’s Executive Vice President and Head of A&R since 2020. Throughout his tenure, he has worked with the record label’s new artists and helped develop the careers of Epic’s GRAMMY® Award-winning roster including 21 Savage, BIA, Black Eyed Peas, DDG, Future, GIVEON, Madison Beer, Meghan Trainor, Mimi Webb, Southside, Zara Larsson and more.

In making the announcement, Rhone said, “Having been a hit songwriter and producer for many years, Zeke brings an invaluable understanding of the artist’s creative journey. His knowledge and experience of the inner workings of the music industry give him an immeasurable edge to drive key business conversations, while staying true to his A&R roots.”

Lewis remarked, “The entire Epic Records team embodies what it means to champion artist development in this fast moving industry and I’m excited to help shape its future. I will honor the musical legacy of Epic, our artists, and partners with my most intentional effort. I look forward to continuing our collaboration, with the singular goal of giving the world some of the most incredible and influential music created, to last for generations.”

Prior to joining Epic Records in 2017, Lewis served as Senior Vice President of A&R at Motown Records from 2011. In that role, he worked with leading artists including Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu, Migos, Lil Yachty, T.I., and Rich Homie Quan.

Previously, Mr. Lewis’ credits included co-writing and co-producing artists such as Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige and Usher. Mr. Lewis also played an instrumental role in the careers of Mariah Carey and Yo Gotti. In 2010, Lewis founded Bar Music Group, a music publishing company responsible for a roster of successful songwriters and producers whose work spanned projects by Chris Brown, Future, Trey Songz and many others.

A musician in his own right since high school, Lewis signed with David Foster’s 143 Records and went on to play a key role in Trey Songz’s successful career.

In 2004, Lewis co-founded The Clutch, a collective of songwriter-producers responsible for hits by Omarion, Ciara, Britney Spears, Timbaland and more.

Across the music industry, Lewis stands out as a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and has been recognized for his leadership and success. Billboard notably included him among its 2023 Power 100 List. He is the recipient of numerous BMI and ASCAP songwriter and publisher awards.

Lewis attended Morehouse College, studying music and film.

Never Before Heard Audio Reveals Stunning New Details of the 2020 Domestic Terrorism Case, Which Shocked the Nation and Continues to Reverberate Today 

Listeners Can Subscribe to The Binge For The Full Season Now 

New York, NY – February 1, 2024 – Sony Music and Campside Media are proud to announce the season premiere of Chameleon Season 7: The Michigan Plot, a true-crime podcast that takes listeners inside one of the most important FBI domestic terrorist investigations in decades: the notorious plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The first episode is available today, and subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes now.  

Hosted by journalists Ken Bensinger and Jessica Garrison, The Michigan Plot is based on more than three years of reporting, plus hundreds of hours of never-before-heard audio that takes listeners along with an FBI informant as he infiltrates the Wolverine Watchmen, a militia that prosecutors charge was determined to kidnap — and maybe even kill — a sitting governor.   

With unprecedented access to the investigation’s inner workings and key players, Bensinger and Garrison go deep in search of answers to the burning question at the core of the case: were the 14 men accused of participating in the conspiracy really masterminds of a credible domestic terrorist plot or just a group of hyped up stoners that talked too much?  

“In a time of deep polarization, the Whitmer case has come to symbolize many of the stark divisions in America,” said Ken Bensinger. “The Michigan Plot gives listeners access to evidence no jury was ever allowed to hear and lets them come to their own conclusions about the government’s case.” 

Chameleon Season 7: The Michigan Plot is produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. The season is hosted by reporters Ken Bensinger and Jessica Garrison. Both formerly of Buzzfeed News, Bensinger is now a reporter at The New York Times, and Garrison is at The Los Angeles Times. Ryan Sweikert is the Producer with story editing by Michael Canyon Meyer. Matt Shaer, Josh Dean, Vanessa Grigoriadis and Adam Hoff are Executive Producers at Campside Media.  

Listeners can subscribe to Chameleon: Michigan Plot on The Binge today to listen to all episodes, all at once. Michigan Plot is also available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. For more information on other Sony podcasts, follow @SonyPodcasts on Twitter and Instagram. 

New MD Promises Artist-Focused Approach to Regional Music Scene

Singapore, February 1, 2024 – Sony Music Entertainment (SME) announced today the appointment of Kenny Ong as its new Managing Director for Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Special Projects Southeast Asia, effective immediately. In this key role, Ong will spearhead the company’s expansion and strategic development across the dynamic and rapidly growing entertainment landscape of the region and champion the careers of Southeast Asian artists.

The appointment comes at a time when Asia is experiencing robust and continued growth. According to IFPI’s Global Music Report 2023, Asia’s revenue grew by 15.4%. 

“Our region is poised for continued growth, and to seize the opportunity it will require more creativity and diligence,” said Shridhar Subramaniam, President of Corporate Strategy and Market Development, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment. “With a proven track record of forging partnerships, driving audience engagement and putting artists first, Kenny possesses a deep understanding of the diverse cultural nuances and musical preferences and we are delighted to welcome him.” 

Ong joins SME at a pivotal time for the music industry in Southeast Asia. The region is brimming with vibrant talent, and SME is committed to providing artists with the platform and resources they need to thrive.

“I am thrilled to join Sony Music Entertainment at this pivotal juncture and look forward to leveraging my experience to unlock the immense potential of Southeast Asia’s vibrant entertainment market and highlighting the brilliant talent of our Southeast Asian artists,” said Kenny Ong, Managing Director, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore and Special Projects Southeast Asia, Sony Music Entertainment. “Together, we will create compelling experiences and forge meaningful connections with artists and audiences across the region through the power of collaboration and musicality.”

Ong brings a wealth of expertise to SME, having held previous leadership positions across media, music, and consumer goods. He was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Astro Radio, Malaysia’s leading radio network, and concurrently Director of Astro Media Solutions. Ong also led the Southeast Asian expansion for Universal Music Group in his previous role. 

His appointment underscores SME’s unwavering commitment to artists and its dedication to nurturing the next generation of musical talent in Southeast Asia.

Tuesday 13th February – Sony Music Entertainment has announced the launch of season four of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For. The podcast closely follows the schemes, scandals and ruthless politics of one of the most notorious families in European history: The Plantagenets. Hosted by award-winning medieval historian, broadcaster and author Dan Jones, season one topped Spotify’s UK History Chart and the Apple History Chart in the US.  

Rivalry, treachery, civil war and murder; this period of medieval history features family dynamics akin to Succession, with more backstabbing than The Traitors. Dan brings this hectic world to life through enthralling tales, complex characters, graphic details, and immersive soundscapes. 

Season four tells the story of two kings, Henry and Edward. This father and son team band together to fight the greatest threat their dynasty has ever faced: betrayal from an old friend. Simon de Montfort’s ambitious drive for reform threatens to finish off the Plantagenet rule once and for all. Henry and Edward will do everything to secure their legacy. Family dysfunction drives firm friends to become deadly enemies as they go head-to-head in a catastrophic sequence of events whose repercussions are still felt to this day.

Over 12 action-packed episodes, Dan delves into machinations, mutilations and bloody chaos to uncover the foundations of modern Europe.

If you’ve not yet listened, the first three seasons are available now so you can hear this wild story from the beginning – you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to a Game of Thrones audiobook. Dan guides his listeners through this tumultuous period of history in a manner that’s at once compelling and engrossing, whilst also accessible and fun. School teachers have even been in touch to tell us that they use the podcast in their history classes!

Listen here.

New Season Dives Into the FBI’s Tumultuous Seven-year Investigation of the Deadliest Bioterrorism Attack in U.S. History 

 Listeners Can Subscribe to The Binge For The Full Season Now  

New York, NY – March 1, 2024 – Sony Music and Campside Media today announced the season premiere of The Anthrax Threat, a new season of Cover Up that explores the FBI investigation of the first lethal act of bioterrorism in October 2001 when letters laced with the deadly powder anthrax began appearing in U.S. mail. The first episode is available today, and subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes now.   

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the FBI reassigned thousands of agents to the counterterrorism unit to prevent another domestic tragedy. Yet just weeks later deadly mail was distributed to prominent journalists, government officials and postal workers and five recipients would end up dead.  

Hosted by journalist Josh Dean, Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat takes listeners along the windy path of a seven-year journey led by the FBI to find out who was responsible for the deadly poisonings, as what started as an unprecedented case turned into an unsettling mystery.  

Through new interviews and archival footage, The Anthrax Threat asks who sent these letters and why. It unveils first-hand recordings of encounters between FBI agents, government staffers, scientists and many more who were involved with this case every step of the way.   

“This case was a national fixation at the time, but it pretty quickly drifted from memory — and so many questions have gone unanswered over the last twenty years,” said Josh Dean. “The Anthrax Threat — a real team effort of reporters and producers — takes listeners inside the sprawling, extremely flawed seven-year investigation into these shocking and heinous crimes.” 

Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat is produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. The season is hosted and executive produced by reporter Josh Dean and created by Ben Robbins, who is an Executive Producer on the project. Emily Martinez is the story editor and Emile Klein is the senior producer. Abukar Adan and Natalia Winkelman are producers. Adam Hoff, Vanessa Grigoriadis, Josh Dean and Matt Shaer are Executive Producers at Campside Media. 

Listeners can subscribe to Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat on The Binge today to listen to all episodes, all at once. Anthrax Attacks is also available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. For more information on other Sony podcasts, follow @SonyPodcasts on Twitter and Instagram.

Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that it has been named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute, the US-based global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

This year’s list includes 136 companies from across 20 countries and regions, and 44 industries. These companies were evaluated across five categories: Ethics and Compliance Program, Corporate Governance, Culture of Ethics, Environmental and Social Impact, and Third Party Management. The Institute reviewed each company’s ethical operations, focusing on areas such as exceptional leadership and a commitment to business integrity through best-in-class ethics, compliance, and governance practices.

This award recognizes Sony’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling its Purpose, “Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,” in alignment with Sony’s Values of “Integrity & Sincerity” through ethical and responsible business conduct by all Sony Group employees. Being named one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies inspires us to further evolve Sony’s Ethics and Compliance program, including our Code of Conduct and our ethical culture, as we work together to create sustainable value.

Sony Group Corporation, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman and CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida stated, “We are both pleased and proud that Ethisphere has named Sony one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for six consecutive years. Sony holds ‘Integrity & Sincerity’ as one of its important Values across the group. Together, with our 110,000 employees who share this Values, we will continue to practice and evolve our ethical approach to management, and work towards value creation from a long-term perspective with the aim of growth.”

Ethisphere CEO, Erica Salmon Byrne commented, “It’s always inspiring to recognize the World’s Most Ethical Companies. Through the rigorous review process, we see the dedication of these organizations to continually improving their ethics, compliance and governance practices to the benefit of all stakeholders. Companies that elevate best-in-class cultures of ethics and integrity set a standard for corporate citizenship for their peers and competitors to follow. Congratulations to Sony for achieving this honor and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business.”

See the original press release from Sony.com here, and read more about Sony’s corporate ethics and compliance-related efforts here.

The complete list of 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found here.