Sony Music has appointed British exec Pete Edge as CEO of RCA Music Group, based out of the major’s New York office.
Edge will report to Doug Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Music Entertainment, and oversee the day-to-day operations of the group and its labels, which is now comprised of RCA, Jive, J, and Arista, as well as their affiliates.
In addition, Tom Corson has been named President & Chief Operating Officer, RCA Music Group. In this role, he will report to Edge and oversee promotion, marketing, publicity, digital, sales, international, video and operations for the label group.
A President of A&R for RCA since 2007, Edge’s A&R career at the label began with the inception of J Records. He has signed multi-platinum and platinum artists including Alicia Keys, Dido, Mario and Jamie Foxx among others.
Edge has recently been working on developing the careers of hitmakers Pitbull and Mike Posner.
Edge began his respected A&R career working with respected industry figures Chrysalis Records founders Chris Wright and Doug D’Arcy, Warner Brothers Records’ Lenny Waronker, Mo Ostin, as well as former President of Black Music, Benny Medina, and later the legendary Arista and J Records founder Clive Davis.
Corson most recently held the position of Executive Vice President/General Manager, RCA Music Group, where he oversaw operations for RCA, J and Arista Records, and has been with the company since J’s inception in 2000. Corson has played a leading role in the successes of Kings of Leon, Rod Stewart, Ke$ha, Foo Fighters, Kelly Clarkson, Pitbull and Jennifer Hudson among others.
Morris stated, “Sony Music is well positioned for success with a deep lineup of many of the most accomplished creative and operational executives in the industry. The enhanced roles for Peter and Tom, who have long played integral roles in the achievements of the RCA labels, underscore that strength. They are the ideal pair to lead the Group’s continued development and success moving forward.”
Edge stated, “I want to thank Doug for giving me this tremendous opportunity. He is a music executive in a league of his own and working with him is such a thrill. I’m excited to helm RMG, a label group that is home to a stellar and incomparable artist roster. We have among us the most dedicated and passionate executives who take the challenges of our industry head on. Chief among them is Tom Corson who I have worked with closely for the past eleven years. Our goal is to take RMG to the next level of achievement, cementing it as the most formidable and successful artist-driven label group.”
Added Corson: “I’d like to thank Doug and Peter for providing me with this expanded responsibility at RMG. I’m delighted to continue working with Peter to ensure we provide our unrivaled artist roster with the very best support in cultivating and maximizing opportunities and building their brands. The RMG team consistently delivers for our artists year after year and we have retained the best people in the industry. We will continue to set the bar high in every aspect of our business.” Music Business Worldwide