Easterlin has served as General Manager of both labels since 2012, and his task hasn’t always been without its dramas – not least when FBR founder John Janick jumped ship to Universal‘s Interscope four years ago.
The timing of Easterlin’s promotion is sweet, with Fueled By Ramen currently enjoying two particularity notable successes: Panic! At The Disco’s latest album Death Of A Bachelor hit No.1 on the Billboard 200 this week, while twenty one pilots, propelled by hit single Stressed Out, are proving themselves as one of the US’s biggest breakthrough stories of 2016.
FBR operates under the Atlantic Records umbrella at Warner’s New York office.
“I’ve worked with Mike for over 16 years. He has always been the most genuine, thoughtful, and passionate music executive,” said Julie Greenwald, Atlantic Records Chairman & COO.
“His commitment to artists and artist development is unparalleled in our business. I know these two unbelievable labels are in the best hands for an incredible future.”
Craig Kallman, Atlantic Records Chairman & CEO, added: “Under Mike’s leadership, Fueled By Ramen and Roadrunner have evolved into modern powerhouses of pop and rock music, while maintaining their own special brands of cool, which is no small task.
“I’ve worked with mike for over 16 years. He’s always been the most genuine, thoughtful and passionate music executive.”
Julie Greenwald, Atlantic Records
“I’m thrilled to have watched Mike develop into an exceptional senior executive over the past decade, and this new joint appointment is a richly deserved recognition of all he has accomplished. I look forward to watching him, and the music that he believes in so devotedly, continue to flourish in the coming years.”
An 11-year veteran of the Warner Music family, Easterlin originally joined Lava/Atlantic as SVP of Promotion in 2005 before moving to FBR and Roadrunner just over three years ago.
He previously worked as National Director of Pop Promotion at Virgin Records and VP of Pop Promotion at Island Def Jam.
Mike Easterlin said, “What our tight-knit, devoted teams at Fueled By Ramen and Roadrunner share is an unadulterated commitment to deliver music we love to our ever-growing fan communities.
“FBR and Roadrunner are in the privileged position of operating as indie labels within the extraordinary Atlantic family, so we can offer our amazing artists the best of both worlds — the resources of a major, while preserving and enhancing the close relationships and unique qualities that define each label.
“To say that I’m humbled to be appointed President of both of these iconic brands would be an understatement. I’m eternally grateful to Julie and Craig for their continued faith in me, as well as everyone at Atlantic for their fantastic support, and the amazing folks at FBR and Roadrunner for their unrelenting devotion to the cause.”
Since its inception two decades ago, FBR’s roster has grown to include Panic! At The Disco, Paramore, fun. and twenty one pilots — whose current album, Blurryface, also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remains in the Top 5 on the chart 36 weeks after its release.
The FBR roster also includes Nate Ruess, Young The Giant, The Front Bottoms, 3Oh!3, Gym Class Heroes, Travie McCoy, Against the Current, Chef’Special, Flor, and Vinyl Theatre.
For the past 35 years, Roadrunner has remained a key brand within the hard rock and metal scene.
Today, its artists include Theory of a Deadman, Killswitch Engage, Stone Sour, Dream Theater, Amity Affliction, Trivium, and Slipknot, who debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their most recent album, .5: The Gray Chapter, recently nominated for two Grammy Awards.
The roster has also been home to groups such as Sepultura, Machine Head, King Diamond, Life of Agony, and Type O Negative, among others.Music Business Worldwide
