Doug Morris
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Doug Morris | |
Born | November 23, 1938 |
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Occupation | CEO, Universal Music Group |
Doug Morris (born November 23, 1938) is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group since November 1995.
[edit] Biography
Morris is a graduate of Columbia University. He began a career in the music industry as a songwriter for Robert Mellin, Inc., a music publisher. Morris wrote "Sweet Talkin' Guy", a 1966 hit for the The Chiffons. He produced the hit, "Smokin' In the Boys Room" (1973), for Brownsville Station. After joining Laurie Records as a songwriter and producer in 1965, Morris eventually became Vice President and General Manager of the record label. He later started his own label, Big Tree Records, which was acquired by Atlantic Records in 1978, which lead to Morris becoming President of Atco Records and an association with Warner Music.
Morris became President of Atlantic Records in 1980, and went on to emerge as co-Chairman and co-CEO of the Atlantic Recording Group, alongside Ahmet Ertegun, in 1990. Morris played an integral role in making Atlantic the leading company in the Warner Music Group. In 1994, Morris shifted to to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Warner Music U.S., and was soon named Chairman. Morris began working with the Universal Music Group in July 1995 by forming a joint venture record label. The venture which became Universal Records when Morris was appointed Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group in November 1995.