Republic Records has promoted Charlie Walk to President of The Republic Group. Walk will create business opportunities and strategic alliances, as well as provide marketing and promotional services to partner labels. He will also focus on creating entrepreneurial opportunities and commercial partnerships to benefit Republic’s artist roster and partner labels. In addition, he will continue to oversee marketing, media, promotion and strategic marketing. His duties also still encompass spearheading promotion services for Island Records and pop initiatives for Big Machine Label Group. He will remain based in New York and report to Monte Lipman.
“At Republic we have redefined our position in the music entertainment business and marketplace as a global leader,” said Walk. “The label’s culture is built on evolving as quickly as the landscape changes, and being in sync with our artists every step of the way. I want to thank Michele, Monte and Avery for empowering me to explore uncharted territory and embracing progressive thinking when it comes to breaking artists and further establishing career superstars. I look forward to continuing to work with our incredible team of executives and partners, helping to redefine the role of a modern music company.”
In 2013 Walk joined Republic Records as Executive Vice President, overseeing the company’s marketing, media and promotion departments. He played a key role in developing artists including Ariana Grande, Lorde and The Weeknd. Since that time, he has developed innovative promotional strategies and marketing services for partner labels, leading to numerous artist successes.
Charlie Walk began his music career as a college marketing representative for Sony Music, while attending Boston University’s School of Management. After graduating in 1990, he joined Sony Music as a full-time marketing and promotion manager, eventually ascending to become head of the promotion division. In 1999, he was named the label’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Promotion and he worked directly with artists including Beyoncé, Aerosmith, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, Will Smith, John Legend, The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Maxwell and more.
In 2006, Walk was appointed President of Epic Records, where he helped foster the careers of stars such as Michael Jackson, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Ozzy Osbourne, Fiona Apple and Sade, while emphasizing and developing young acts such as The Script, The Fray, Sean Kingston and Natasha Bedingfield. Three years later, he co-founded J-Walk, a New York-based advertising and marketing firm representing brands such as Lacoste, Equinox, DeLeón tequila, Vita Coco, bebe and SoulCycle.
