Charlie Walk

Walk said he first wanted to work in the music industry when he was eight years old, when he listened to Boston's WRKO on his portable radio. Walk started out in 1987 as a college marketing representative for Sony Music Distributions New England branch while he was attending Boston University's School of Management (Questrom School Of Business). He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=25055622&privcapId=206295845|title=Profile Charlie Walk|website=Bloomberg News |accessdate=April 2, 2019}}

Walk married Lauran Miller in 1997. The couple lives in Tribeca and Water Mill since 2003 and have four children.{{cite web|url=http://www.kdhamptons.com/new-our-summer-2012-photo-diary-lauran-charlie-walk/|title=New!! Our Summer 2012 Photo Diary: Lauran & Charlie Walk|date=3 September 2012 |accessdate=April 2, 2019}}

Walk worked at Columbia Records in 1990 as a marketing and promotion manager covering the Northeast Region. His first job was to work with the New Kids on the Block over their first days on their local promotion, trying to break them into the mainstream.{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/people-players/walk-sows-harmony-columbia-artists-marketers/99861|title=Walk sows harmony among Columbia artists, marketers|date=July 12, 2004|website=adage.com}} Since 1994, he is Director, since 1997 Vice President in Pop Promotion.

During his time at Columbia he became vice president for promotion at the label, and was profiled by The New York Times as one of the music industry's "young guns" in 1998.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/16/style/a-night-out-with-the-young-guns-working-the-martini-shift.html |title=A Night Out With: The Young Guns; Working The Martini Shift |date=August 16, 1998 |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |work=The New York Times |author=Monique P. Yazigi}} At Columbia he worked with Destiny's Child and Beyoncé Knowles,{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/10/12/jacko-abandons-ailing-urrogate-father/ |title=Jacko Abandons Ailing 'Surrogate' Father |author=Roger Friedman |author-link=Roger Friedman |work=FoxNews.com |date=October 12, 2004 |accessdate=September 19, 2013}} Will Smith, Maxwell, John Legend, Mariah Carey, The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, and Aerosmith.{{failed verification|date=July 2017}}

He was named executive vice president, promotion, in 2000 from the position of senior vice president of pop promotion. In 2004, he was promoted to executive vice president of creative marketing and promotion at Columbia where he was in charge of developing strategies in non-traditional marketing areas, along with licensing.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/news/col-takes-walk-to-exec-vp-2-1117906423/ |author=Phil Gallo |title=Col takes Walk to exec VP |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |date=June 14, 2004 |work=Variety}}{{cite web |url=http://www.esquire.com/style/fashion-story/mavericks0907-6 |date=September 13, 2007 |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |work=Esquire |title=Angry Young Men}}

In December 2005, Walk became president of Epic Records.{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58979/jessica-simpson-shifts-to-epic |title=Jessica Simpson Shifts To Epic |work=Billboard |accessdate=September 3, 2013}} Jessica Simpson moved from Columbia to Epic to follow Walk.{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1177069,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303115755/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1177069,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2007 |title=Jessica Switches Homes – for Her Music |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |date=March 27, 2006 |work=People |author=Stephen M. Silverman |author-link=Stephen M. Silverman }} He also worked with the label’s established artists, including RedOne.{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/morocco/110929/morocco-redone-lady-gaga-jlo-jennifer-lopez-music|author=Aida Alami|title=Hollyworld: Meet Morocco's starmaker|work=Global Post|date=September 30, 2011|accessdate=August 15, 2013}}

He also created a partnership with ABC to integrate Epic artists with their programming, which enabled viewers to purchase songs they heard on ABC television shows. Walk also broke new artists at Epic including The Script, Sean Kingston, The Fray, Sara Bareilles and Natasha Bedingfield.{{cite news|url=https://www.americansongwriter.com/2008/12/charlie-walks-time-runs-out-at-epic-records/|author=Callie Cunningham|title=Charlie Walk's Time Runs Out at Epic Records|work= American Songwriter(subscription required)|date=December 11, 2008|accessdate=July 26, 2013}} He was let go from the label in December 2008.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/charlie-walk-music-exec-allegedly-preyed-on-women-for-decades-w516980|title=Charlie Walk: Top Music Executive Allegedly Preyed on Women for Decades|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-02-24}}

In February 2009, Walk started his own entertainment company CWE Media to create content for Endemol, with a talent management and strategic branding divisions.{{Cite web|url=https://gawker.com/550782/charlie-walk|title=Charlie Walk|work=Gawker|access-date=2019-04-02}} Walk was executive producing the television content developed by the company.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2009/more/news/charlie-walk-s-in-endemol-pact-1117999535/ |title=Charlie Walk's in Endemol pact |date=February 3, 2009 |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |work=Variety}}{{cite web |url=https://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/agency-develops-new-brand-categories-156026 |title=This Agency Develops New Brand Categories JWalk also helps bolster the profiles of brands like DeLeon Tequila |author=Noreen O'Leary |accessdate=March 6, 2014 |work=Adweek |date=March 6, 2014}} The company was functioning until 2011.

Later in 2009, Walk co-founded RJW Collective, later known as JWALK.{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/1521433/charlie-walk-to-start-work-as-evp-of-republic-records-as |title=Charlie Walk to Start Work as EVP of Republic Records as Soon as Monday: Sources |date=January 23, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |magazine=Billboard}} The company's clients include the retailer Lacoste and the television broadcaster ABC.{{cite web |url=http://www.hauteliving.com/2012/09/whats-on-my-desk-jwalkss-charlie-walk/313730/ |author=Billy Gray |date=September 12, 2012 |work=Haute Living |accessdate=September 4, 2013 |title=What's On My Desk: Jwalks's Charlie Walk}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/business/media/lacoste-recasts-itself-in-its-own-prestige.html |title=Lacoste Recasts Itself in Its Own Prestige |date=August 23, 2011 |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |author=Andrew Adam Newman |work=The New York Times}}

In 2013 Walk joined Republic Records as its executive vice president.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charlie-walk-named-evp-republic-415940/|title=Charlie Walk Named EVP of Republic Records|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 28, 2013|accessdate=July 26, 2013}} His position involves overseeing the marketing, PR and promotion teams for the label.{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-ariana-grande-and-max-martin-made-problem-the-song-of-the-summer-20140522#ixzz33blxypQc |work=Rolling Stone |accessdate=July 11, 2014 |title=How Ariana Grande and Max Martin Made 'Problem' the Song of the Summer |author=Andy Greene |date=May 22, 2014 |archive-date=April 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407224107/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-ariana-grande-and-max-martin-made-problem-the-song-of-the-summer-20140522#ixzz33blxypQc |url-status=dead }}
- {{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/branding/5847698/austin-mahone-named-digital-brand-strategist-for-aquafinas |work=Billboard |accessdate=February 20, 2014 |date=December 19, 2013 |title=Austin Mahone Named Digital & Brand Strategist For Aquafina's FlavorSplash: Inside the 17-Year-Old's First Strategy Meeting |author=Andrew Hampp }}{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/triple-platform-push-for-ariana-grandes-album-1408317171|title=Triple-Platform Push for Ariana Grande's Album - WSJ|work=online.wsj.com|accessdate=October 24, 2014}} On July 2, 2014, Walk produced a one-off revival episode of Total Request Live on MTV entitled "Total Ariana Live".{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1854345/ariana-grande-trl/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627113055/http://www.mtv.com/news/1854345/ariana-grande-trl/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |title=Get Ready: Ariana Grande Is Bringing 'TRL' Back |author=Emily Blake |accessdate=July 10, 2014 |publisher=MTV |date=June 25, 2014}} He has also helped bring in John Varvatos Records.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/style-guru-john-varvatos-launches-music-label-to-nurture-new-aritsts-20140218#ixzz2thUdCxQg |title=Style Guru John Varvatos Launches Music Label to 'Nurture' New Artists |author=Kory Grow |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 18, 2014 |accessdate=February 20, 2014}}

In 2014, Walk led Enrique Iglesias' "Bailando" single campaign, which crossed the song over from Latin radio to Top 40 radio. The song has a blend of English and Spanish lyrics, and became the highest charting bilingual single since "The Macarena" in 1996.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6189519/ask-billboard-how-has-enrique-iglesias-bailando-become-such-a |title=Ask Billboard: How Has Enrique Iglesias' 'Bailando' Become Such A Big Hit? |magazine=Billboard |date=July 27, 2014 |accessdate=June 16, 2015 }}
- {{cite web|url=http://voxxi.com/2014/08/21/enrique-iglesias-bailando-hit/|title=Enrique Iglesias breaks Spanish barriers, making 'Bailando' a #1 hit|work=voxxi.com|accessdate=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024221126/http://voxxi.com/2014/08/21/enrique-iglesias-bailando-hit/|archive-date=2014-10-24|url-status=dead}} Walk spearheaded Taylor Swift’s "Shake It Off" campaign which led Swift to become the first artist to have a single debut at number one on the pop music radio charts.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news10021m01|title=HITS Daily Double: News|work=hitsdailydouble.com|accessdate=October 24, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140911105300/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news10021m01|archivedate=September 11, 2014}} Additionally, Walk led the promotion for Lorde's quadruple platinum single "Royals". The Wall Street Journal wrote that Walk "is working on creating partnerships with radio stations, concert venues and music publications or blogs that will circulate her music without catapulting it into the mainstream. Instead of sending her music to KIIS, a famous top-40 Los Angeles radio station, they've turned to San Francisco's Live105 and Chicago's Q101, alternative stations."{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323610704578625923390512516|title=New Zealand Pop Singer Lorde Makes Waves - WSJ|work=online.wsj.com|accessdate=October 24, 2014}} Walk also signed Hailee Steinfeld to Republic.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hailee-steinfeld-on-working-with-max-martin-following-up-love-myself-48386/|title=Hailee Steinfeld on Max Martin, Big Single 'Love Myself'|first=Brittany|last=Spanos |date=November 12, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/6436563/roundtable-five-execs-examine-radios-uncertain-future-in-the-streaming-age |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=January 28, 2015 |title=Roundtable: Five Execs Examine Radio's Uncertain Future in the Streaming Age |author=Shirley Halperin and Gary Trust |date=January 12, 2015}}

In February 2016, Walk was named president of the Republic Group, a newly formed grouping under the Universal Music Group, where he was charged with developing strategic partnerships with sister labels in addition to his role in charge of promotions and artist development.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6874747/charlie-walk-president-republic-group|title=charlie walk president republic group|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=April 2, 2019}} In 2016 Walk co-founded Guess Music, after approaching Paul Marciano to discuss his expanding their partnership into a full-fledged label.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7487770/guess-republic-records-guess-music|title=guess republic records guess music|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=April 2, 2019}} He also signed DNCE.{{cite web |title=DNCA |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=302708 |accessdate=April 2, 2019 |website=hitsdailydouble.com}}

In 2023, Walk launched Aspen Artists, a media platform for marketing, branding and promoting music artists. Their offices are located in New York City and Mexico City{{Cite web |title=Aspen Artists Launches; Charlie Walk Is Co-Founder & CEO |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/229131/aspen-artists-launches-charlie-walk-is-co-founder- |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=All Access |language=en}} {{better source needed|date=October 2023}}

Walk was accused of sexual misconduct on January 29, 2018. He denied the allegation. On January 31, Republic placed him on leave, pending an investigation. He resigned from his position as a judge on The Four: Battle for Stardom on February 1. In a statement, he said: "Out of respect for the contestants, my fellow judges and everyone involved with the show, I have made the decision not to attend the finale of The Four. I do not want my presence to be a distraction. Needless to say this is very upsetting."{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/01/31/charlie-walk-suspended-after-sexual-harassment-accusation/1084911001/|title=Suspended record exec Charlie Walk won't be in 'Four' finale|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/the-four-judge-charlie-walk-accused-of-sexual-harassment.html|title=The Four Judge Charlie Walk Accused of Sexual Harassment in Open Letter|last=Kiefer|first=Halle|work=Vulture|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en}}

In March 2018, following an internal review, Universal and Walk agreed to "mutually part ways."{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/charlie-walk-out-at-republic-records-exclusive-1202738610/|title=Charlie Walk Out at Republic Records (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Halperin|first=Jem Aswad, Shirley|date=2018-03-28|work=Variety|access-date=2018-03-28|language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/charlie-walk-republic-records-agree-to-part-ways-w517070|title=Charlie Walk, Republic 'Agree to Part Ways' After Misconduct Investigation|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-03-29}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/01/31/charlie-walk-suspended-after-sexual-harassment-accusation/1084911001/|title=Suspended record exec Charlie Walk won't be in 'Four' finale|work=USA Today|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/charlie-walk-music-exec-allegedly-preyed-on-women-for-decades-w516980|title=Charlie Walk: Top Music Executive Accused of Sexual Misconduct Over Decades|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-03-29}}

In March 2021, Walk filed a lawsuit seeking $60 million in damages from Marc Kasowitz, the attorney who negotiated his Universal exit deal. The suit stated that rather than defending Walk against "facially incredible claims," Kasowitz and his law firm "passively cooperated with UMG, leaving Mr. Walk defenseless."{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=David|date=2021-03-25|title=Ousted UMG exec Charlie Walk sues Kasowitz, seeking $60M for alleged malpractice|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/kasowitz-lawsuit-idUSL1N2LN3W5|access-date=2021-03-26}} The suit was dismissed in January 2022 by New York Supreme Court Justice Andrew Borrok.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston|date=2022-01-19 |title=Judge Dismisses Ousted UMG Exec Charlie Walk's Lawsuit Against Former Attorney |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/judge-dismisses-ousted-umg-exec-charlie-walks-lawsuit-against-former-attorney-1235077098/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

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Category:Living people

Category:American music industry executives

Category:Boston University School of Management alumni

Category:American advertising executives

Category:1968 births

Category:The Four: Battle for Stardom