Warner Music UK (WMUK) today formally announced that Austin Daboh has joined Atlantic Records UK as Executive Vice President. The influential and widely respected creative executive is the latest high-profile senior management hire by WMUK CEO Tony Harlow, who joined Warner’s UK business in February, and Atlantic Co-Presidents Ed Howard and Briony Turner. Daboh was most recently Head of Editorial at Apple Music UK, where, alongside overseeing Apple’s playlist ecosystem, he developed the ground-breaking Agenda brand that built out playlist experiences with live concerts and marketing initiatives to create an immersive experience for users.
In his new role at Atlantic UK, Daboh will be responsible for signing and developing domestic artists, as well as working closely with Atlantic Records in the U.S. to nurture and break the label’s black music roster in the UK. He will have a dual reporting line into Howard and Turner for Atlantic and will report more broadly into Harlow. Daboh also joins the WMUK leadership team and will be instrumental in the strategic direction of the company both culturally and creatively.
Tony Harlow said: “I’m happy to welcome an exec of Austin’s calibre to the Warner Music UK family. He’s already played a pivotal role in shaping the UK music landscape through his work in radio and with the DSPs, and he has the instincts and connections not just to attract outstanding artists, but to be a cultural pioneer. I know that with Briony, Ed, Austin and the rest of the incredible team driving things forward, Atlantic UK will not only remain at the leading edge of the UK music scene but will continue to expand its global impact.”
Briony Turner and Ed Howard added: “We’re very much at the start of an exciting new era at Atlantic UK; Liz Goodwin has just joined as GM; Rich Castillo has come on board as A&R Director, and we couldn’t be happier to now have Austin join us on the journey. His ability to intelligently read and navigate the marketplace, combined with his gift for fostering meaningful relationships with talent, managers, and tastemakers make him perfectly placed to keep Atlantic, and our artists, at the forefront of both the music industry and wider culture.”
Austin Daboh noted: “Atlantic is one of the most culturally important labels out there, with some of the world’s most authentic and unique artists. I’m excited to be joining the company as it begins the next chapter in its legendary history and look forward to working closely with Ed and Briony. I’ve had the good fortune to work at three amazing companies – the BBC, Spotify, and Apple Music – and my experiences there have prepared me well to step into the major label world, which has always been my dream.”
Daboh started his music industry career in 2006 as Music Programmer at BBC Music 1Xtra before becoming CEO of the PR, promotion and talent agency, The Hub Entertainment. He returned to BBC Music 1Xtra in 2014 as Music Manager, leading the musical direction of the station. In 2016, he joined Spotify as Senior Editor, Shows and Editorial, before being promoted to Head of Music Culture & Editorial, Spotify UK. Moving to Apple Music, he assumed the post of Head of Editorial for UK & Ireland.
Atlantic Records UK got off to a strong start in 2020, with a three-week stint at number one in the singles chart with the all-Atlantic hit, ‘Own It,’ by Stormzy featuring Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy, with production by Fred Again. Atlantic then enjoyed success at this year’s BRIT Awards, with Stormzy winning British Male Solo Artist and Fred Again being named British Producer of the Year. The label has since enjoyed more chart success with Joel Corry’s ‘Lonely’ which charted at number four and has been certified gold, and Roddy Ricch’s ‘The Box’ which peaked at number two and spent 11 weeks in the top 10. Tion Wayne’s first single under Atlantic, ‘I Dunno’ debuted at number seven last week.
