Charlie deal done

WALK, DON’T RUN: The word is that a deal is now in place to bring Charlie Walk to Monte Lipman’s red-hot Republic (which now enjoys 8.5% year-to-date marketshare). Joel Klaiman’s recent, much-talked-about move to Columbia precipitated the hiring of Walk, a real player who’s both colorful and controversial, but the buzz is also wondering whether the new post will encompass much more than promo. Walk will take over the industry's hottest promo staff, with no changes expected on the team that Klaiman built. The former Epic prexy’s re-injection into the major-label scene after an entrepreneurial hiatus (at the “elegantly disruptive” marketing agency JWALK) has surprised many inside and outside of Republic. (12/5p)