Denis Handlin AO at #TIOawards: Artists are writing their own success stories

The Industry Observer Awards were judged by a panel of independent music industry professionals across a number of management companies and record labels. On the 2nd of November 2021, the panel unanimously decided to revoke Denis Handlin’s award following his sacking at Sony Music.

At the inaugural Industry Observer Awards last week (March 27) Sony Music’s Denis Handlin AO took out the prestigious Executive of the Year award.

In 2017 Handlin broke new ground with initiatives such as brand deals, artist management, and online talent programme The ShareSpace; Handlin was also awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

:: See the full list of winners here

The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand, and President, Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc took the stage to accept the award.

In Handlin's speech he thanked Holly Rankin for her keynote speech which kicked off the awards, and Cooking Vinyl's Stu Harvey, who took out Top Industry Tweet and beamed his speech in via the big screens.

Denis Handlin AO also took the opportunity to thank the artists on Sony Music's roster, his team, and his family.

"This also represents the wonderful artists that I have the pleasure to work with every day and this brilliant team and this company that I'm so proud of, and the family culture that we've created.

"I'd also like to thank my very best friend - I don't know how she puts up with me - my soul mate and wife of 41 years, Jan, and our fantastic six kids who are so, so supportive."

Watch Denis Handlin AO's acceptance speech in full below: