Sony Music Announces Departure of ANZ Chair & CEO Vanessa Picken
In a move that marks a significant transition for the iconic music label, Sony Music has confirmed that Vanessa Picken is stepping down as chair and CEO of its Australian and New Zealand operations. The departure, which takes effect immediately, caps off a three-year tenure during which Picken oversaw major modernization efforts, artist-first initiatives, and industry-first milestones.
Picken, who was appointed in June 2022 and began her role in September 2022, became the first woman to lead Sony Music's operations across both countries. Her appointment was seen as a significant reset for the company, following an external investigation into workplace culture that led to the departure of former CEO Denis Handlin in 2021.
During her tenure, Picken spearheaded efforts to modernize internal operations and improve artist relations. Under her leadership, Sony Music ANZ invested in digital innovation, experiential brand opportunities, and new licensing models, while placing increased emphasis on artist well-being and transparency.
Picken expressed pride over the achievements of her time at Sony Music, citing the company's modernization efforts, enhanced digital capabilities, and new growth initiatives as key highlights. She also acknowledged the importance of fostering a supportive environment for artists, stating that she hopes to inspire future generations of leaders.
Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group, thanked Picken for her contributions in a statement, praising her dedication to guiding artists' careers and championing local creative talent. However, no immediate successor has been named, leaving the company's leadership structure uncertain at present.
In a move that marks a significant transition for the iconic music label, Sony Music has confirmed that Vanessa Picken is stepping down as chair and CEO of its Australian and New Zealand operations. The departure, which takes effect immediately, caps off a three-year tenure during which Picken oversaw major modernization efforts, artist-first initiatives, and industry-first milestones.
Picken, who was appointed in June 2022 and began her role in September 2022, became the first woman to lead Sony Music's operations across both countries. Her appointment was seen as a significant reset for the company, following an external investigation into workplace culture that led to the departure of former CEO Denis Handlin in 2021.
During her tenure, Picken spearheaded efforts to modernize internal operations and improve artist relations. Under her leadership, Sony Music ANZ invested in digital innovation, experiential brand opportunities, and new licensing models, while placing increased emphasis on artist well-being and transparency.
Picken expressed pride over the achievements of her time at Sony Music, citing the company's modernization efforts, enhanced digital capabilities, and new growth initiatives as key highlights. She also acknowledged the importance of fostering a supportive environment for artists, stating that she hopes to inspire future generations of leaders.
Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group, thanked Picken for her contributions in a statement, praising her dedication to guiding artists' careers and championing local creative talent. However, no immediate successor has been named, leaving the company's leadership structure uncertain at present.
. I mean, three years is a decent run, but probably wasn't enough time to fix all the problems that went down under Handlin's leadership 
. And great, just what we need, another "reset" and a bunch of vague promises about "artist well-being" and "transparency"... yeah right 
. Can't say I'm surprised they didn't have an immediate successor lined up either... sounds like Sony Music is in for some more of the same old uncertainty 
.
i feel bad for Vanessa Picken, she did some awesome stuff during her time at Sony Music ANZ, like investing in digital innovation and putting more emphasis on artist well-being 
it's crazy that she's stepping down so suddenly, but at the same time i get why sony music needs a fresh start 
they were dealing with some major issues when Denis Handlin left, and now it seems like they're trying to move forward in a new direction 
hopefully whoever comes in next will be able to build on all the good stuff Picken started 
I'm so bummed she's gone! 
Picken did some really great stuff for Sony Music ANZ, like investing in digital innovation and focusing on artist well-being... it felt like they were actually listening to their needs for once 
. I hope whoever takes her place can keep up the good work 
. Does anyone know who the new leader is gonna be? 
i feel like sony music is losing somone really important now vanessa picken was a breath of fresh air 
she helped make the company more artist-friendly and innovative 
i hope whoever replaces her knows how to keep that momentum going 
. Seriously though, it's kinda weird that no immediate successor has been named yet. Don't get me wrong, Picken did her thing and all, but it's still a bit suspicious. Is this just another example of corporate "shaking things up" or is there something more to it? I don't know, man... I'll believe it when I see it 
... another exec jumping ship because they couldn't handle the stress of trying to keep up with the music industry 
... i mean, who wouldn't want to leave after three years and just watch the company's leadership structure get all messed up? 
... meanwhile, what's gonna happen to all the artists they worked with during her time there? are they just gonna be left hanging like a bunch of loose threads on a sweater? 
... and now it's just gonna be one big power struggle at Sony Music ANZ... great timing for them to announce this change just as the whole music industry is trying to recover from the pandemic 
I mean, I get it, change is good and all that jazz, but can't they just keep the person who made a difference? She did seem to be on top of things with those artist-first initiatives and digital innovations 
. Now what's next? Are they gonna go back to the dark ages or something?
But what's really got me thinking is that no one's named an immediate successor yet... like, how's Sony Music going to keep pushing boundaries and supporting artists without someone at the helm who gets it 
. hope whoever takes over will keep the momentum going 
... hope whoever takes her place brings those same vibes 
cmon, after 3 yrs of changin thangz and makin moves, shes outta ther! 
i no she was good @ it too - got a 1st wiv a womn leadin the whole operation 
she modernizd everythin, incluzing artist relations & digital innovashun 
cant wait 2 c who takes her plce 
. should've seen this coming, Sony Music's always had a lot of drama 
. I mean, who does Rob Stringer think he is, thanking her for leaving without even having a plan for the future? that's some corporate speak right there 
. artist well-being and transparency are all fine and dandy until it benefits them financially 
. someone needs to shake things up around there before more good talent gets poached 
