David Orleans, one of the first ever hires at indie distribution and services company ADA, is transitioning into a new Chairman Emeritus role at the Warner-owned company.
The news was confirmed today (August 19) within an internal memo sent out by ADA President, Cat Kreidich, obtained by MBW.
Orleans will move into the new role on January 1, 2022.
Orleans has spent the past 28 years at ADA, making him the longest-serving modern employee of the company.
Kreidich’s memo notes that Orleans was one of ADA’s first hires after the company launched as Alternative Distribution Alliance in 1993.
Kreidich quips that “you might even call him the godfather of ADA… he’s really the heart and soul of the company”.
In his new Chairman Emeritus role, confirms Kreidich, Orleans will continue to be “actively involved with [ADA] and serving as an invaluable advisor as we chart our course into the future”.
Orleans started out at ADA as the company’s West Coast Sales Manager. Over nearly three decades, he rose through the ranks to become President.
“It’s impossible to overstate the central role that David has played in making ADA what it is today, and what his passion and support has meant to the independent label community,” says Kreidich. “He’s forged invaluable relationships, proving time and time again the value that a major music company can bring to launching and amplifying the careers of indie artists.”
“It’s impossible to overstate the central role that David has played in making ADA what it is today, and what his passion and support has meant to the independent label community.”
Cat Kreidich, ADA
She adds: “During my first stint at ADA more than a decade ago, David was very much a mentor to me and made me feel like my contributions were valuable to the larger organization. He’s an incredibly empathetic and calming person, inclusive and lovely, and humble to the core. David’s approach has always been ‘Let’s do amazing things and have fun while we’re doing them.’ It’s a work hard/play hard philosophy of life that has made him a real force in our business.”
Within Kreidich’s note, Andy Allen, who was head of ADA from 1994 to 2008, says: “David has spent most of his adult working life at ADA. When I joined the company in the early ‘90s, he was already there. I was immediately impressed with his passion for indie music and his enthusiasm for our company’s future.
“I also need to mention he’s one funny bastard, offsetting his intensity for the job with a wicked sense of humor. He has been a key contributor to ADA in every role he has held.”
Andy Allen
“Anchoring our West Coast office, he quickly developed relationships with both of our customer groups – the retail community and the music makers. David built a strong team around him and led by example, challenging his staff to work as hard as he did.
“I also need to mention he’s one funny bastard, offsetting his intensity for the job with a wicked sense of humor. He has been a key contributor to ADA in every role he has held. His hard work and dedication to the indie music community has impacted the livelihood of countless labels and artists, and his vision has maintained ADA as an important partner, as the role of music distribution and marketing has been redefined over the years. Congratulations, David.”Music Business Worldwide