Sony Music confirms Pat Handlin & Mark Stebnicki ‘no longer with the company’

Sony Music HQ in New York has confirmed two high-profile executives from Sony Music Australia have departed.

Question marks have been hanging over the future of former CEO Denis Handlin’s son Pat Handlin – who was vice president of A&R – and Mark Stebnicki (vice president of strategy, corporate affairs and human resources) for some time.

Until now, Sony Music has refused to be drawn on the long-term future of the executives, however did concede in June they had been stood down.

Staff at the operation’s Sydney HQ had been told the duo were “on leave”, however their absence did coincide with an investigation into Sony Music Australia’s workplace culture, as well as the ousting of long-serving CEO Denis Handlin.

TMN is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Handlin or Stebnicki, and the results of Sony’s investigation have not yet been revealed.

TMN understands the investigation is ongoing.

A Sony Music spokesperson in New York did not give further details, but did confirm to TMN that “I can confirm the two executives are no longer with the company”.

How did we get here? A timeline of Sony Music Australia’s upheaval 

15 June: Sony Music Australia under investigation by head office for harassment & bullying
21 June: Sony Music Australia and New Zealand CEO Denis Handlin to depart
22 June: 5 questions that need answering after Denis Handlin’s exit
23 June: Sony Music’s Pat Handlin & Mark Stebnicki stood down as work culture investigation continues
24 June: ‘It is time for change’: Denis Handlin sends note to Sony Music Australia staff
24 June: Lawyers who previously represented Titus Day in battle against Guy Sebastian could bring class action against Sony Music Australia
28 June: Inside the Australian music industry’s toxic underbelly
12 July: Law firm considering class action against Sony Music Australia inundated with responses