Laurent Chapeau has stepped down from his role as Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment‘s Columbia Records France, after leading the division since 2013.
Columbia France has named Pauline Duarte as his successor, effective April 5. Duarte assumes responsibility for all operations at Columbia France while continuing to oversee Epic Records France.
Duarte’s journey in the music industry began in 2003 at Columbia Records France. Notably, she took on the position of Director of Def Jam Recordings in 2013, where she played a role in developing the urban catalog. In 2020, Duarte returned to Sony Music France to launch Epic Records France, where she signed artists, nationally and internationally, including Gazo, Alonzo, Hatik, and Ronisia.
Under her leadership, the label received the Flamme award for Label of the Year in 2023 at the first Les Flammes awards, which celebrate French urban music.
As part of the new management team, the labels Hall Access, A+LSO, and Masterworks, formerly part of the Columbia Labels Group, will be added to the RCA Labels Group France, under the supervision of Emmanuel Perrot, RCA’s Senior Vice President. The directors of Hall Access, A+LSO and Masterworks will report directly to Perrot.
“The vision of Columbia that Laurent Chapeau has developed over the past decade is outstanding. I admire his work with iconic artists and his ability to spot young talents.”
Pauline Duarte, Columbia Records France
“Pauline Duarte is the ideal person to succeed Laurent’s impressive leadership. Her exceptional background, energy and creativity will be invaluable assets to the development of Columbia in France,” said Marie-Anne Robert, Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment France.
Pauline Duarte added: “The vision of Columbia that Laurent Chapeau has developed over the past decade is outstanding. I admire his work with iconic artists and his ability to spot young talents. I’m delighted to succeed him and to be able to help shape the future of the label while respecting its musical heritage.”
Under Chapeau’s leadership, the Columbia Labels Group has achieved success over the past decade, the company said in a statement.
Chapeau initially joined Sony Music Entertainment France in 2008 as the Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Business Development. In 2013, he assumed leadership of the Columbia Labels Group, overseeing labels such as Columbia, Hall Access, A+LSO, and Masterworks. During his tenure, Chapeau played a key role in steering the labels through the transition from physical to digital formats.
As Duarte transitions into her new role, Chapeau will provide support and also offer his expertise to Marie-Anne Robert as a strategic advisor on artistic endeavors.
“I’m delighted to be able to accompany Pauline Duarte in her new role and to pass on to her everything we’ve developed at Columbia.”
Laurent Chapeau, Columbia Records France
“I’m proud of the teams I’ve been lucky enough to work with at this great artists’ company, Sony Music France, and of the wonderful stories we’ve written with our artists,” Chapeau said.
“I’m delighted to be able to accompany Pauline Duarte in her new role and to pass on to her everything we’ve developed at Columbia. Her knowledge of the label and her experience in the music industry are an asset and an opportunity for all the artists we work with.”
Robert added that Chapeau is “an emblematic figure in the French music industry and a great source of inspiration for several generations: his exemplary nature, his enthusiasm, his humility and his appetite for music is a model for future executives. He has a fantastic relationship with artists of all kinds and built a formidable team at Columbia, thanks to his ability to detect and nurture talent.”
With Duarte’s promotion, Franck Hiag has been named as the new Director of Epic Records France, reporting to Duarte. Hiag, who has more than 10 years of experience in rap music, including in media (Booska-P) and the music industry (Universal Music France, Believe), will manage the label’s day-to-day operations.
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