Chris Atlas has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Urban Music & Marketing for Warner Records.
Atlas, who joined the label in 2017, is based at the company’s Downtown Los Angeles headquarters and reports to Warner’s Co-Chairman and COO Tom Corson.
He also serves as a member of Warner Music Group’s newly established Executive Diversity & Inclusion Council.
Over the past three years, Atlas has strategized and spearheaded breakthrough marketing campaigns for Warner Records’ burgeoning R&B/Rap roster, including: NLE Choppa; Saweetie; Wale; Andra Day; Shordie, Shordie; YFN Lucci; IDK; and newly signed 13-year-old sensation Keedron Bryant; as well as OVO Sound/Warner artists PartyNextDoor, dvsn, and Roy Woods.
Atlas joined Warner Records in 2017 as SVP, Head of Urban Marketing, following nearly a decade at Def Jam Recordings.
At Def Jam Recordings he was EVP of Marketing and quarterbacked strategies for marquee artists such as Kanye West, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Jhene Aiko, and Ludacris.
Atlas began his career at Tommy Boy Records, where he rose through the ranks to serve as A&R and founder of Tommy Boy Black Label, as well as General Manager of Urban Music Promotion.
In 2001, he joined Cornerstone Agency as VP of Urban Promotion and Marketing, forging brand/music partnerships with Sprite, Reebok, Boost Mobile, and many others.
After a stint at Amp’d Mobile, he returned to Cornerstone as VP of Strategic Marketing before joining Def Jam in 2008.
“With 25 years in this business, Chris’s breadth of experience and knowledge is extraordinary, and he has forged deep relationships throughout the industry.”
Tom Corson
“With 25 years in this business, Chris’s breadth of experience and knowledge is extraordinary, and he has forged deep relationships throughout the industry,” said Tom Corson.
“Since joining us three years ago, he has created and driven a series of brilliant, cultural, groundbreaking campaigns that have broken artists and set long-term careers in motion.
“Chris’s authenticity, passion, and insight have made him one of the most admired execs across the music and marketing worlds, and Aaron Bay-Schuck and I are thrilled to announce his new post on our leadership team.”
“I’m very proud of all that we’ve accomplished to build Warner Records’ presence throughout the urban and hip-hop communities.”
Chris Atlas
Chris Atlas added: “I’m very proud of all that we’ve accomplished to build Warner Records’ presence throughout the urban and hip-hop communities.
“I’m driven by our artists and their music, and blessed to be able to contribute to the culture, because I’m a student of it.
“Black and Urban music have always been reflective of our times, our society, and what people are going through – their struggles, pain, happiness.
“I’d like to add that It was important for me to keep the word urban in my title as it remains present and dominant and continues to evolve.
“I want to thank Tom and Aaron for this amazing opportunity to keep moving the culture forward. I also want to take the opportunity to congratulate Shawnae Corbett-Rice on her promotion to VP of Marketing as part of the continued growth and development of our amazing team.”
Music Business Worldwide
