The Power 50: John O’Donnell

John O’Donnell is a former music journalist who worked at titles including Rolling Stone and Juice before launching the Murmur label for Sony Music Australia in 1994, which went on to sign artists like Silverchair, Something For Kate and more. O’Donnell continued working with Sony following a corporate-level promotion, then leaving in 2002 to become EMI Music Australia/New Zealand’s CEO. O’Donnell held the role until he left EMI in 2008, then returned to the company in 2013 to again lead the business as Managing Director. O’Donnell continues to co-manage Cold Chisel and has also been the chairman of PPCA and an ARIA board member.

2019 was a good year for John O’Donnell and ARIA Chart #1 albums. EMI signee Paul Kelly picked up his third #1 album with the Songs From The South: Greatest Hits 1985–2019 compilation, securing Kelly a #1 album three years in a row. Kelly also picked up two ARIA Awards for his albums Thirteen Ways To Look At Birds and Nature in 2019 too. Cold Chisel also had a successful year, with the much-loved group hitting #1 with their album Blood Moon in December.

EMI went into 2020 strong with new signings Miiesha - who O’Donnell signed following her BIGSOUND appearance - and Cat & Calmell, and with preparations underway for the launch of new albums from 5 Seconds Of Summer and The Avalanches.

"My crowning achievement is split equally between two of Australia’s most legendary artists. There were: helping Paul Kelly deliver his third #1 album – one each in the last three years. A hat-trick! And bringing the Cold Chisel album Blood Moon in as a huge # 1 and helping set-up their incredibly huge Blood Moon Tour 2020 – which saw the band play the biggest shows of their career."