Warner Music Group has announced a string of changes to its global leadership team, which the company says will drive its “next phase of growth.”
Coming in: Val Blavatnik joins the WMG executive team in the new role of Managing Director, Warner Music North America, UK, & Corporate Development.
As that job title suggests, it’s understood that Blavatnik will now lead Warner’s recorded music operations across the US, Canada, and the UK.
According to a WMG press release, Blavatnik will “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth.”
Before joining WMG’s board in 2023, Blavatnik served on the investment team at LionTree, focused on the media and technology industries.
He has since been Special Advisor to the CEO at Warner Music Group, and is a member of the executive committee at Access Industries – his father Len Blavatnik‘s firm, and Warner’s majority shareholder.
Going out at WMG: Simon Robson, who will step down in December after nearly 30 years with the company.
In his most recent role – President, EMEA, Recorded Music, WMG – Robson adopted responsibility for leading the central functions of Warner Music UK.
Meanwhile, Warner has promoted Guillermo Gonzalez to President, Warner Music EMEA after six years powering growth at Warner Music Iberia. Andrés Rothschild will take over as president of Warner Music Iberia.
And in a major promotion, Alejandro Duque is elevated to President, Warner Music International, adding the APAC and EMEA regions to his remit.
WMG said that Duque has quadrupled Warner Music Latin America’s frontline US Latin market share over his five-year tenure, and will now “scale his expertise to drive synergy across territories and strategic investment in the world’s fast-growing markets to accelerate global expansion.”
There’s also a big switch-up over at ADA, Warner’s services operation for independent artists and labels.
Elliot Grainge is expanding his remit, becoming Chairman of ADA in the US in addition to his role as Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group (AMG).
Working alongside Grainge, Zach Friedman will serve as Vice Chairman of ADA in addition to his COO role at AMG.
Warner said in its press release: “Leveraging their experience as independent entrepreneurs who built their own successful indie label, 10K Projects, Grainge and Friedman will continue to operate ADA as a standalone business delivering best-in-class service to the independent community.”
It’s understood that Alejandro Duque will continue to lead ADA outside the US, across LATAM, EMEA, and APAC.
Over at Warner Records, Aaron Bay-Schuck has been confirmed as the sole Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group.
After significantly increasing Warner Records’ market share since taking over as Co-Chairman and CEO in 2018, Bay-Schuck will now lead the label into its next era.
Bay-Schuck’s ascension to sole Chairman follows his former Co-Chair, Tom Corson, taking on the role of COO at Warner Music Group earlier this year.
Discussing the changes, Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, said: “To build upon our successful year in which we delivered on all three strategic priorities to grow market share, increase the value of music and increase our efficiency, these frontline executive changes enhance our best-in-class leadership team with diverse skill sets to execute on the next chapter of WMG’s growth.
“Elliot, Aaron, Alejandro and Guillermo are exceptional, dynamic and proven leaders who have transformed their domains, and elevating them allows us to further scale their success.
“I’m also excited to welcome Val to the executive team, where his operational and strategic focus will help us build our momentum across key markets.”
Kyncl continued: “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Simon Robson for his dedicated service, operational excellence and trusted leadership while expanding WMG’s global footprint over his remarkable tenure, and wish him the very best in his next endeavors.”Music Business Worldwide