Russell Emanuel named President & CEO of Sony/ATV’s newly centralized Production Music Division

Photo credit: Jack Webb

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has centralized its two production music divisions – Extreme Music and EMI Production Music – as one global operation and named Russell Emanuel as its President & CEO.

The appointment gives Emanuel oversight of Sony/ATV’s global production music business, which will combine the strengths and experiences of both companies to better serve its composers and clients around the world.

EMI Production Music is home to top libraries including KPM, Music House and Juice, and Extreme Music represents a roster of talent such as Quincy Jones, Hans Zimmer, Sir George Martin, Labrinth, Rodney Jerkins, Ramin Djawadi, and many more.

Emanuel has served as CEO, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Extreme Music and Bleeding Fingers Music (BFM) for 22 years.

Under his leadership, Extreme Music and Bleeding Fingers are renowned as producers of award-winning film and television scores.

Bolstered by a creative partnership with Hans Zimmer, Emanuel and his team at Bleeding Fingers have worked on original scores for series including The Simpsons, Planet Earth II, Blue Planet II, Superfly, Apollo Mission to the Moon, The Planets, Masterchef, Queer Eye, Seven Worlds, One Planet, and the recently-premiered Planet Earth: A Celebration.

Before creating Bleeding Fingers, Emanuel was already established in the composing industry with the success of Extreme Music, which he co-founded in 1997.

The company was purchased by Sony/ATV in 2008, with Emanuel remaining as CEO.

“Russell is undeniably one of the best in the business, and I’m pleased to recognize his expertise and influence with this new leadership role.”

Jon Platt

Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Jon Platt said: “Russell is undeniably one of the best in the business, and I’m pleased to recognize his expertise and influence with this new leadership role.

“His vision to integrate these two successful production music entities will further support our composers, clients and catalogues on a global scale.”

“It’s a dream scenario to harness two iconic brands, cutting edge technology and extraordinary talent to create a dynamic next chapter, which will be both evolutionary and revolutionary.”

Russell Emanuel

Russell Emanuel added: “I am extremely thankful and excited for this incredible new opportunity.

“It’s a dream scenario to harness two iconic brands, cutting edge technology and extraordinary talent to create a dynamic next chapter, which will be both evolutionary and revolutionary.”Music Business Worldwide