Well, Barry Weiss is out at Sony-BMG-RCA- whatever. He’s leaving for Universal Music Group.
Barry was not a popular figure at Sony etc. And in the mix of candidates to replace Rolf Schmidt Holtz as head of Sony Music, Weiss was a candidate without porfolio.
What figured in his decision to leave? It might have been the Michael Jackson album. Rob Stringer actually pulled it off. The album is done, and it’s very good. It will sell like hotcakes, or IPads, or something. Stringer may be poised to take Schmidt-Holtz’s position now. His only competition within the company is Steve Barnett.
Weiss had a major blow out with a favorite Sony Music employee earlier this fall. It’s gone unreported so far, but suffice to say the whole saga didn’t set well anywhere. It may have just been timing and chemistry. At UMG, Barry could have loads of hits and smooth sailing. The industry reshuffles fast. There are second and third acts galore. Good luck to him.
More to come…
