Michael Rapino is the President & CEO of Los Angeles-headquartered Live Nation Entertainment. He started his career in various marketing and entertainment roles at Labatt Breweries of Canada. Rapino has led Live Nation since 2005. Michael Rapino: Career history Michael Rapino kicked off his music career while attending Lakehead University, promoting bands at bars and … Continued
Denis Ladegaillerie is the Founder and CEO of Paris-headquartered distribution and services company Believe. He co-founded the company in 2005. Denis Ladegaillerie: Career beginnings Denis Ladegaillerie passed the New York Bar in 1997 and started his career as Business Lawyer at Shearman & Sterling, where he practiced until 2000. Ladegaillerie then joined the financial department … Continued
Michael Nash is the Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy at Los Angeles-headquartered Universal Music Group. He previously ran digital strategy at Warner Music Group. Nash has also served as Director of the Criterion Collection. Michael Nash: Career history Michael Nash began his career as a Media Arts Curator at the Long Beach Museum of … Continued
Bob Valentine is a music business veteran and, since July 2023, the CEO of Concord. Prior to becoming CEO of Concord, Valentine was President of the Nashville-headquartered music company, which operates across music publishing, recorded music, and theatricals. Bob Valentine: Career history Bob Valentine joined Norman Lear’s Act III Communications in 1999 when it acquired … Continued
Kenny Gates is the Co-Founder, Co-Owner, and Co-President of [PIAS], which is headquartered in both London, England and Brussels, Belgium. Gates was just 19 year old when he co-founded [PIAS] in the early eighties. The initial plan for [PIAS] was to be a record importation company, however, the firm later pivoted to distribution and services … Continued
Martin Mills is the founder and Chairman of London and New York, NY-headquartered Beggars Group. Beggars Group began life in the 1970s as a group of record shops called Beggars Banquet. Martin Mills: Career history Martin Mills got his start in the music industry when he began opening Beggars Banquet record shops with his business … Continued
CEO, Sony Music Entertainment / Chairman, Sony Music Group
In Rob Stringer’s youth, growing up in Aylesbury, UK, he had two passions: music, and Luton Town Football Club. Today, not a whole lot has changed. As Chairman of Sony Music Group, Stringer, based in New York, has an artist-friendly reputation, working closely with modern icons including Adele, Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Harry Styles, and many … Continued
Joe Kentish is a prominent figure in the UK music industry, currently serving as President of Warner Records UK. Known for his astute talent-spotting skills and strategic vision, Kentish has significantly shaped the careers of some of today’s biggest musical acts. Joe Kentish: Early Career and Industry Breakthrough Kentish’s music industry career began with entrepreneurial … Continued
Steve Cooper is the former Chief Executive Officer of Warner Music Group (WMG), the home of Atlantic Records, Warner Records, Elektra Music Group and Warner Chappell Music, amongst others. Cooper joined WMG in August 2011 following the company’s acquisition by Access Industries in an all-cash transaction valued at $3.3 billion. Back then, he was described as a corporate “turnaround guru” who … Continued