Atlantic Records UK co-President Ed Howard on signing Ed Sheeran

<p>How do musicians deal with fame and is there such a thing as an overnight success story? What's the story behind <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/busking-bieber-did-ed-sheeran-become-most-connected-man-pop/">Ed Sheeran </a>getting signed? (It involves a Bruno Mars gig and a tonne of beer). This week Kathleen and Eleanor speak to one of the music business's most influential players, Ed Howard, who was promoted to co-President of Atlantic (alongside Briony Turner, who is on maternity leave), in January.</p> <p>Ed talks about crafting the long-term strategy behind his first-ever signing Charli XCX, how he consoled Burna Boy after the star lost out on a Brit Award, how labels will adapt to an era of stars coming off social media, how a label imprint like Stormzy’s Merky Records <em>actually</em> works, and the difficulty of taking on his mentor Ben Cook's role after Cook was asked to leave Atlantic following a blackface controversy.</p> <p>Kathleen and Eleanor also talk about what it’s like to interview <a href="https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/niall-horan-interview-2020">Niall Horan</a>, and why the most recent episode of internet culture podcast <a href="https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all">Reply All </a>has got everyone hooked.</p> <p>To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5esxO0H8qmiD77DF3hxnFw">follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.</a></p> <p>Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you:&nbsp;hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk</p> <p>Straight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marlonpercy/?hl=en">@marlonpercy</a></p> <p>Straight Up was recorded Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner<a href="https://twitter.com/CornerHQ"> @cornerHQ</a></p> <p>Straight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist <a href="https://www