Arista Records has announced its new leadership, as Clio Massey and Matt D’Arduinihave been appointed co-presidents of the label, Sony Music Entertainment said on Tuesday.
The news comes two months after veteran music executive David Massey, who re-launched the famed record label back in 2018, had announced his retirement from the company. Clio Massey, David’s daughter, was previously the general manager of Arista’s Work of Art Publishing and a VP of A&R at the label. She’ll continue to oversee Work of Art Publishing in her new role. D’Arduini, who’d been at Arista since its relaunch, previously served as the executive vice president of A&R at Arista. The duo will report to Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer.
“We are pleased to announce a seamless transition for Arista that was creatively reborn in 2018,” Stringer said in a statement. “Clio and Matt are dynamic and forward-thinking executives who are best placed to build on the artist development they have been involved with in the first phase of the new Arista. Their skills complement each other neatly and as a partnership will lead to an exciting future for the label.”
Originally founded by famed record executive Clive Davis in 1974, Arista was best known as the home of stars like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Barry Manilow. The label shuttered back in 2011, and David Massey was tapped to revive the label in 2018. The new Arista had its biggest success with Måneskin, who had an international hit with their cover of “Beggin’.” Their roster also includes JP Saxe, Lola Brooke and Måneskin’s Damiano David.
“I’m thrilled and thankful for this opportunity,” Clio Massey said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing the work with the great artists and exceptional team at Arista, alongside Matt. We’re excited to help shape and grow our group into its next chapter.”
As D’Arduini added: “We are eager to expand on Arista’s progress and reach over the last few years, cultivating even more talent at our company. We’re also grateful for the leadership at Sony Music who believe in this organization and will help us advance our creative core.”
