Ahead of the 66th Grammy Awards, Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt has been named as the 2024 Grammy Salute To Industry Icons honoree.
The Grammy Salute To Industry Icons honor is given during the invitation-only Pre-Grammy Gala held on February 3, 2024, hosted by the Recording Academy and Clive Davis.
“One of the most influential figures in the industry, Jon has consistently set the bar for leadership in music,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.
“His ongoing commitment to equity, his dedication to quality, and his advocacy for artists across all crafts and genres have been an inspiration to music leaders everywhere.
“We look forward to an incredible evening dedicated to honoring his incredible impact.”
The Recording Academy notes that, since his appointment to Sony Music Publishing (SMP) in 2019, Platt “has worked to revitalize the company’s Songwriters First mission”.
“His efforts have focused on emphasizing service and transparency at every level, prioritizing equity, and reshaping the company’s administration services,” the Recording Academy added in the announcement on Thursday (December 7).
Platt’s career in the music business began in the mid-’80s, when, as a DJ in his hometown of Denver, he was credited with breaking records from Public Enemy and Arrested Development in the Midwest.
His career in music publishing has seen him sign and collaborate with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Drake, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams and Usher.
Platt is widely credited for elevating how hip-hop and R&B artists are respected and compensated as songwriters.
Platt also previously served as chairman & CEO of Warner Chappell and led the company’s turnaround.
He spent 17 years at EMI Music Publishing, where he cemented his reputation for recognizing ‘icons-in-the-making” by signing Jay-Z on the release of his 1996 independent debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
The Recording Academy notes that during Platt’s tenure as Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, the company has strengthened “both its legacy and its future, creating historic partnerships with songwriting legends” like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Ashley Gorley.
The company has also signed what The Recording Academy calls “the next generation of superstars” like Olivia Rodrigo, Jack Harlow, Latto, Anitta, Central Cee, Kane Brown, and the Kid LAROI, as well as delivering opportunities for DIY creators through a landmark deal with BeatStars.
Added The Recording Academy in its statement on Thursday: “Throughout his career, Platt advocated for fair compensation for songwriters. Under his direction, Sony Music Publishing has focused on improving the lives of songwriters — by putting more money in songwriters’ pockets, and getting that money in their pockets sooner. In an increasingly global music business, the company has also expanded its leading presence internationally into India, Indonesia and Nigeria.
“Reflecting Platt’s commitment to artist development and his long-held belief that it’s better to grow hits than to chase them, SMP has built out its services for songwriters and composers at every stage of their careers.
“Songwriters Forward — a global initiative — has seen SMP providing mental health and wellness support to its roster through the Songwriter Assistance Program. SMP’s Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program has offered new financial opportunities to legacy songwriters.
“And SMP has provided over $1 million in grants to working songwriters in collaboration with organizations such as the 100 Percenters, Songwriters of North America and Nashville Songwriters Association International.”
The Recording Academy also praised Platt’s commitment to increasing diversity across senior leadership teams throughout his career, and his support for the development of a pipeline of female executives with SMP’s global Women’s Leadership Program.
“His commitment to equity and inclusion extends to empowering the next generation of songwriters and composers with initiatives like SMP’s Screen Scoring Diversity Scholarship at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music,” added The Recording Academy.
“One of the most influential figures in the industry, Jon has consistently set the bar for leadership in music.”
Harvey Mason jr.
Platt also sits on the boards of Berklee College of Music, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Motown Museum, Living Legends Foundation, and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), and his numerous recognitions include City of Hope’s prestigious Spirit of Life Award, SONA’s Warrior Award, NSAI’s President’s Keystone Award, SESAC’s Visionary Award, Billboard’s Power 100, Variety’s Variety500, and Morehouse College’s Candle Award. In 2005, he launched The Big Jon Platt Scholarship Program for college-bound students from his Denver community in Montbello.
He joins a prominent list of previous Pre-Grammy Gala honorees, including Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman; Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss, Clarence Avant, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Sir Richard Branson, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, and Rob Stringer.Music Business Worldwide
