BREAKING: Denis Handlin To Depart Sony Music 'Effective Immediately'

21 June 2021 | 11:26 am | Staff Writer

The news of Denis Handlin leaving was announced to Sony Music Entertainment Australia staff today.

Sony Music Entertainment has announced that Denis Handlin AO will depart the company. 

It's been reported by The Australian that the Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand's departure is "effective immediately".

The news was broken to Sony Music Australia staff today in an internal email - seen by The Music - with Chairman, Sony Music Group CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Rob Stringer saying "I am writing to let you know that Denis Handlin will be leaving Sony Music Entertainment after more than 50 years with the Company, effective immediately." 


"It is time for a change in leadership and I will be making further announcements in terms of the new direction of our business in Australia and New Zealand in due course," the email continued. 

"My team and I will be speaking further to your team leaders about this process throughout the week, but at this pointed I wanted to let everyone know this news at the same time..."

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The news comes just over a week after a report emerged that Sony's US head office was reportedly "investigating claims of discrimination, bullying and harassment" within the Australian arm of the business.

Handlin took on his first role at the company that would become Sony Music Entertainment in 1970, starting out as junior record assembler at the Australian Record Company’s Brisbane warehouse. 

Within five years he had taken on various promotions roles, become Queensland State Manager and then headed to Sydney as the National Promotions Manager. 

Australian Record Company became CBS and then into its final form as Sony, while Handlin stepped up as MD and CEO of the Australian branch in 1984 and then adding President of Sony Music Entertainment Asia to his title in 2011. 

More to come.