L.A. Reid's sudden dismissal as CEO of Epic Records last week after Rob Stringer had taken over the reins of Sony Music raised a number of questions: Why was he dismissed when his label was on an upswing over the last few years? Did recently unearthed sexual harassment allegations play into the decision? And what's next for the Sony-owned label?
While none of these questions have yet to be fully answered, Billboard learned Friday (May 19) that another mystery has been solved: Reid is indeed expected to deliver the keynote at next month's MIDEM conference in Cannes, France, according to a rep for the trade fair. Reid was announced to speak at this year's confab last November.
When the news was originally announced, Reid said in a statement that he was "excited at the prospect of sharing the experience of more than 25 years in the music business with the MIDEM audience.”
A rep for Reid also confirmed that the recently ousted executive is still planning to deliver his keynote. Reid has yet to speak or comment publicly since leaving his post at Epic; while the event is still several weeks away, MIDEM could become the first public venue where Reid speaks since his departure. Whether he will address the elephant in the room is anyone's guess.
