Jon Platt

Jon Platt is an American music-publishing executive and a former DJ. He is Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing after having spent 17 years at EMI Music Publishing.

Jon Platt
Born (1964-11-09) 9 November 1964
Philadelphia, United States
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBig Jon
OccupationMusic executive
Years active1995-present.

Early life

Although he was born in Philadelphia, Platt considers Denver his hometown; his childhood bounced him from Park Hill to Aurora before he landed firmly in Montbello, where he grew up from the time he was in the fifth grade. He and several siblings were raised there by his mother, who worked security at Rocky Flats to support her family.

Career

DJ

While working at a Dave Cook sporting goods store in Aurora, Platt met a friend who taught him DJing.[1] From 1985 to 1989, he DJed at Norman's Place, building an audience for himself through word of mouth. He then founded his own party event at a ballroom in a Quality Inn, which was profitable. However, a murder taking place at Platt's 26th birthday party in 1990 and the negative press that followed brought that run to an end. A friend convinced him to rebuild, and he successfully got a following going again, drawing patrons to the club Maximilian's.[2]

Management

Platt credits a conversation in Denver with Public Enemy's front man, Chuck D, as main inspiration for wanting to be more than a local DJ. He decided to become a manager and relocated to Los Angeles where he was introduced to Madukey Productions by a friend. He secured the crew a remix to 2Pac's single "Keep Ya Head Up" and brokered a publishing deal with EMI for both Madukey and producer Kiyamma Griffin, thereby establishing a relationship with Steve Prudhomme, a creative manager at EMI.

Publishing

In 1995, Prudhomme left EMI to join Warner Bros. and he recommended his former employer to hire Platt as the creative manager. It didn't take long until he made noise by acquiring the publishing rights to TLC's single "Waterfalls," one of the biggest crossover hits of the mid '90s. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder becoming the creative-director after a year and vice president a year later. He also successfully recruited Jay-Z to EMI after the release of his classic debut-album, Reasonable Doubt, in '96.

In 2012, Platt left his position as vice president at EMI for Warner/Chappell Music where he was named President.[3]

In 2015, Platt was named CEO of Warner Chappell Music.[4]

In 2019, Platt joined Sony/ATV Music Publishing as Chairman and CEO.[5]

References
  1. "Jon Platt's hip-hop is serious business". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  2. Michael Roberts (1998-10-22). "Getting Big". Westword. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  3. "Jon Platt to Leave EMI Music Publishing". Billboard. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  4. "Jon Platt Named CEO of Warner/Chappell". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  5. "Jon Platt Named CEO of Sony/ATV". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
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