Steve Barnett, co-chairman of Sony’s Columbia Records, is in talks to take a top job at rival Universal Music Group, The Post has learned.
Barnett, who works closely with Columbia CEO Rob Stringer, has been offered a position running Capitol Label Group, which is being acquired by Universal as part of its purchase of EMI.
Capitol houses labels such as Capitol Records and Blue Note, and represents artists like Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.
Barnett, who is said to be close to finalizing a deal, sat atop a unit that released a string of hit albums this year on top of Adele’s record-breaking “21.”
In the third quarter, Columbia had 11-percent market share among all labels, making it No. 1 in new releases for the period. The label is up 1.8 percent compared to a year ago, thanks to Adele and One Direction, which had the top two albums this year.
A spokeswoman for Columbia declined immediate comment. An e-mail to Barnett’s office was not returned.