REID ASSUMES TOP EPIC POST

The first major announcement of the Doug Morris era at Sony Music went down this morning, and though it’s not exactly a big surprise, the formal proclamation of L.A. Reid’s reunion with his former boss is nonetheless a big deal in the context of today’s music biz. So, without further ado…

The renowned exec and Grammy-winning producer has officially been named Chairman/CEO of Epic Records, reporting to Morris and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the N.Y.-based label.

Said Morris: “L.A. repeatedly has proven over the course of his celebrated career that he knows how to develop world-class artistry. We are very happy to have an executive of his talents leading Epic Records as we begin an exciting new chapter of growth for Sony Music Entertainment.”

Added Reid: “I look forward with great enthusiasm to joining the Sony Music family as it affords us the opportunity to build Epic Recordings as the revolutionary music company of tomorrow. We are deeply committed to discovering and developing the next generation of superstars as well as implementing a fresh and innovative business model. It is also my distinct pleasure to be once again joining Doug, who is an amazing leader and the most visionary and forward-thinking executive in the music entertainment industry.”

In addition to leading Epic, Reid, as previously announced, will sit alongside Simon Cowell as a judge on The X Factor, the highly anticipated series debuting this fall on Fox. The Epic roster will feature select artists developed from The X Factor franchise, as well as other new signings, including the pop duo Karmin.

The release made no specific reference to any acts associated with Reid during his time at LaFace (1989-2000) or Arista (2000-04) being moved to Epic.