Whalley to Head Warner Bros. Record Label

Tom Whalley, president of Vivendi Universal’s Interscope division, was named chairman of rival Warner Bros. Records on Monday. Whalley, who had been a behind-the-scenes force at Interscope since its 1989 launch, is widely regarded as one of the most consistent discoverers of talent in the record business. His arrival at Warner Bros.’ Burbank headquarters had been awaited since May 2000, when word leaked that he had been recruited to leave Interscope by Warner Music Group Chairman Roger Ames. Whalley could not leave his old job, however, because he remained under contract. Warner officials said Phil Quartararo would continue as president of the Warner Bros. label, which releases albums by such acts as Linkin Park and Red Hot Chili Peppers.