New Epic chairman Antonio “LA” Reid has nixed the appointment of two top Jive executives who only months ago were set to join his team, The Post has learned.
Jive Executive Vice President Tom Carrabba and Peter Thea, a senior A&R chief, got pink slips instead, sources said, along with dozens of other staffers.
Previous reports had suggested the two would head to Epic and join Reid following the closure of the Jive label. Reid, however, had other ideas and is planning on bringing in his own team rather than adding staffers loyal to former Jive boss Barry Weiss.
One source said Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris has given his label heads wide latitude in deciding whom they hire.
“If you are considered a Barry Weiss guy, then you’re out,” said one insider. Weiss exited as CEO of Sony’s RCA/Jive to become CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown at rival Universal Music Group.
Meanwhile, insiders are waiting with bated breath for Reid to reveal his grand plan for branding Epic. Sources say he’s already quietly signed Kevin Lawrie, as his No. 2, according to sources.
Lawrie will become president and CEO of the label. He has worked in several positions running a variety of territories for Sony Music International.
The layoffs, put at around 50, were executed by the newly named RCA Music Group boss Peter Edge, according to sources. They come as part of a wider plan to fold Jive into RCA.
Still to be decided, however, are where several Jive acts will be housed. As Page Six reported yesterday, Usher, Chris Brown and Pink will move to RCA. Others are still waiting to find out if they will be dumped or rehoused at other Sony labels.
Billboard also reported the loss of Jeff Aldrich, senior vice president of A&R at Jive. He was among a host of other promotional executives who were let go.
Another source countered that the music executive known for shepherding such acts as Avril Lavigne and Rihanna to the top of the charts, is being inundated with pitches by both artists and prospective executives.
Reid is only weeks into his new role.
Some internal critics fault Reid for his focus on his TV career — he is one of the judges on “X-Factor,” a new show on Fox — but defenders say he’s only had a few weeks under his belt, and while “X-Factor” is demanding, he’s still moving ahead on both fronts.
Reid has already signed the band, “Karmin,” and is finalizing a deal for a big signing in the coming weeks. Many of his new artists will hail from “X-Factor,” and while executive producer, Simon Cowell, has the last word on which Sony label will house each new signing, Reid will have a front-row seat on figuring out who’s best for Epic, which is heading for an R&B bent.