John Janick is the CEO and Chairman of the Santa Monica-headquartered Interscope Geffen A&M.
Interscope Geffen A&M is a label division of Universal Music Group.
Janick co-founded Fueled by Ramen during his freshman year of college in 1996.
He has captained releases by up-and-coming stars including Juice WRLD, Billie Eilish, and Tame Impala at Interscope Geffen A&M.
John Janick: Career History
John Janick founded the label Fueled by Ramen during his freshman year at the University of Florida, primarily focusing on signing and developing bands. He was responsible for acts including Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and Paramore.
After Janick’s initial signees found commercial and critical success, Warner Music Group opted to buy Fueled by Ramen. In this deal, Janick assumed the role of Co-President of Elektra Records while remaining in control of Fueled by Ramen. During his time at Elektra, Janick signed and executive-produced groups including fun., Paramore, and Twenty One Pilots, all of whom achieved commercial success. He also managed and supervised acts including Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran.
In 2012, Jimmy Iovine enlisted John Janick to serve as President and COO of Interscope Geffen A&M.
Iovine stated “Everything he accomplished at Fueled By Ramen reminded me of the early days of Interscope. Combine that with John’s experience running a bigger company at Elektra, and it makes him the perfect fit for us.”
In his role as President and COO, Janick guided the teams responsible for Robin Thicke, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar, Selena Gomez and Tame Impala.
When Iovine left Interscope in 2014, Janick was tapped to take over his role as CEO and Chairman. As of 2022, Interscope has expanded its overall share in album consumption to an industry high of 10.2%. He has likewise expanded their roster to include acts including Juice WRLD, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Summer Walker, Lady Gaga, and Eminem.
John Janick: Professional philosophy
In a 2017 interview with Music Business Worldwide, John Janick explained: “I love to compete – and I don’t like to lose.
“So long as it’s a level playing field, I don’t care who I’m competing with. I’m ready for it every day.”
“I love to compete – and I don’t like to lose.”
John Janick, Interscope Geffen A&M
He added: “When I’m sitting with an artist, I’m always most attracted to: ‘Do they have a vision for what they want to do, what the music’s going to be, and what the visual is going to be?’
It’s always encouraging when you see someone who doesn’t care what anybody else thinks they should – or shouldn’t – be doing.
“That singular vision is really important, plus the willingness to work really hard. They go hand-in-hand.”Music Business Worldwide