IT'S OFFICIAL: BARTELS IN AT ISLAND

As had been previously announced, but is now official, the Island Def Jam Music Group has named Steve Bartels President of Island Records, it was announced today by IDJ Chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid. Bartels will be based in New York.

Bartels, formerly Arista Records Executive VP, joins his old boss at the label, where he immediately put in an order for the Bob Marley and U2 catalogues.

Commenting on the appointment, Reid said: "I am thrilled to welcome Steve Bartels to our great company. I have had the pleasure of working with Steve for several years and experienced first-hand his unparalleled expertise, leadership and dedication to artists and their music. Steve is an unbelievable executive; his spirited approach, brilliance at breaking artists and passion for winning make him an excellent choice to guide Island Records towards the future. Now all I have to do is spiff up his wardrobe."

Added Bartels: "I am truly grateful to L.A. Reid for this exciting opportunity. It is a privilege to continue working so closely with L.A. and to help him execute his vision for Island Records, a company with such a rich history and one of the most dynamic groups of artists and executives in the business. Now, as soon as I scrape the resin from the ceiling of Blackwell’s old office, I’ll be able to start working."

Prior to joining Island Records, Mr. Bartels held a number of key positions at Arista Records, most recently as Exec. VP. Bartels first joined the label in 1993 as Vice President of Special Projects. Prior to joining Arista, he served as National Director of Promotion at A&M Records, where he once promoted a Feelies record with our own Ivana B. Adored. Bartels is a graduate of Hofstra University and completed the MBA Program of UCLA's John Anderson School of Executive Education in Management.