UK-born Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group has hired Ignition Records Director John Leahy (pictured) as SVP Marketing and Strategy.
His appointment comes just over a month since Chrysalis Records – one of the most iconic labels in the history of recorded music – re-launched as a front line label.
Chrysalis Records was bought in a deal led by Blue Raincoat Music CEO Jeremy Lascelles and Robin Millar CBE in 2016 amidst Warner’s process of divestments to the independent sector.
Leahy will report directly to Lascelles and begins the job effective immediately.
Leahy will work across the entirety of the Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group including artist management, publishing, catalog and new front line releases, leading on all areas of marketing.
In addition, he will bring with him artists Steve Mason and She Drew The Gun as well as The Mysterines (co managed with Alfie Skelly) and continue to manage them as part of Blue Raincoat Artists.
One of Leahy’s earliest roles in the music industry was as a product manager at Parlophone in 1995.
After a 12 year stint at the company, during which he moved to the EMI label and rose to the position of Marketing and Creative Director, he oversaw the success of Robbie Williams alongside campaigns by the likes of Pink Floyd, Doves and Kate Bush.
From there he joined the independent Domino Records and as General Manager ran successful campaigns for Franz Ferdinand, Last Shadow Puppets and Wild Beasts.
He then made the move to Polydor Records to become their Marketing Director, leading on major campaigns for Lady Gaga, Eminem, The Maccabees and Snow Patrol.
In 2010 he joined Ignition Records taking on marketing responsibilities for Noel Gallagher, who achieved three number one albums, The Stereophonics, who also scored a number one album, and others including Primal Scream, Courteeners and The Coral.
‘The new signings the label has made and will make are an exciting opportunity to reestablish Chrysalis as one of the UK’s most respected, artist friendly labels for the modern era.”
John Leahy
John Leahy said: “I actually started my career in marketing at Chrysalis, but only for a short period before moving to Parlophone.
“I’ve always loved so many of the artists on the roster so it’s a pleasure to be coming back and getting the chance to work with a great team on a raft of seminal records.
“Equally, the new signings the label has made and will make are an exciting opportunity to reestablish Chrysalis as one of the UK’s most respected, artist friendly labels for the modern era. I look forward to working with Jeremy, Robin and all the team there to make this happen.”
“John provides us with the missing link in the Blue Raincoat set up – an experienced and hugely successful marketing mastermind.”
Jeremy Lascelles, Chrysalis Blue Raincoat Group
Jeremy Lascelles, CEO Chrysalis Blue Raincoat Group, added: “John provides us with the missing link in the Blue Raincoat set up – an experienced and hugely successful marketing mastermind, who is equally at home putting together a strategy for a new front line release as he is in finding ways of extracting value and opportunities from our great catalogue.
“As an added bonus he brings with him in a management capacity three fantastic artists who will all be a welcome addition to Blue Raincoat Artists. And, for a Manchester United fan, he is actually a great bloke.”Music Business Worldwide
