After Two Highly Successful Decades at WMG,
Max Lousada Announces Decision to Step Down at End of Fiscal
Year
Creative Regional Leadership to Be Elevated
Through Flatter Structure;
Greater Impact Through
Globalized Services
Elliot Grainge Becomes CEO of Atlantic
Music Group at Beginning of Fiscal Year 2025;
Julie Greenwald to Take New
Role as Chairman of Atlantic Music Group
NEW
YORK, August 1,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Music Group (Nasdaq: WMG) today
unveiled a dynamic new structure for its Recorded Music operations,
designed to strengthen services to artists at every stage of their
careers, create more direct channels between local expertise and
global opportunities, and position the company for long-term
growth.
As part of this reorganization, Max
Lousada, CEO, Recorded Music, has decided to step down
at the end of the fiscal year (September
30), after eight highly successful years in the role, and 20
years at WMG. Lousada will remain as an advisor through January
31.
At the same time, Julie
Greenwald has begun a leadership transition, which will
see her take on a new role as Chairman, Atlantic Music Group,
reporting to Robert Kyncl,
WMG CEO. Effective October 1,
Elliot Grainge, 10K Projects Founder & CEO, will become CEO
of Atlantic Music Group, reporting to Kyncl. Continuing the
tradition of independently minded entrepreneurs joining WMG,
Grainge became part of the global senior management team last year,
after the company acquired a majority stake in his trailblazing
label.
Effective October 1, the new,
flatter structure will elevate creative regional leadership,
supported by global services, delivering maximum impact for artists
on the world stage. WMG's Recorded Music regional and
divisional leaders will report directly to Kyncl. In the new
structure, WMG will neither have the roles of CEO, Recorded Music
nor President, International, Recorded Music.
- Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) - will be overseen by
seasoned exec Simon Robson.
The UK & Ireland group will
now be part of European operations.
- Latin America (LATAM) -
including WM Latina, will continue to be run by Alejandro Duque, who has made a big impact
on the region since joining WMG in 2021.
- Asia Pacific
(APAC) - a leader will be appointed to the newly created
position overseeing the entire APAC region.
- US - will be organized in two label groups. Atlantic
Music Group, to be run by Elliot
Grainge as CEO, already includes Atlantic Records
and 300 Elektra Entertainment – and will now also encompass
recently acquired 10K Projects, while
continuing to benefit from the creative expertise of A&R legend
Craig Kallman. Warner Records, which has enjoyed a resurgence
under Tom Corson &
Aaron Bay-Schuck – will now
include oversight of Warner Music Nashville, along with Nonesuch
and Reprise.
At the same time, Warner Music Group is strengthening its
central global operations in order to create new opportunities for
artists and drive additional revenue across distribution (via ADA),
Global Catalog, Marketing, and WMX (including merchandising and
Direct To Fan). As a result, effective October 1, the respective heads of those
divisions will report to Kyncl.
Robert Kyncl said: "On behalf of
everyone at WMG, I'd like to thank Max for his extraordinary
achievements over the last twenty years. Max is a true artists'
champion, who created a culture that puts artistry first, growing
our global reach and building a roster of incredible talent and an
outstanding team. I'm grateful that he'll be helping to ensure a
smooth transition."
He added: "I'm very happy to promote Elliot to his new position,
and delighted that Julie will be taking on her new role, both of
them working with Craig, as we take this iconic label to even
greater heights. Elliot has been a stellar addition to WMG's
leadership team, with a distinctive approach to artist development.
We have an amazing bench of creative leaders, and I'm looking
forward to working more closely with them, as we collaborate on the
company's next phase of creative excellence, commercial
transformation, and growing revenues. At a time when global culture
moves at the speed of light, we're doubling down on great artists
and diverse music scenes, empowering our talent and team to have
maximum impact."
Max Lousada said: "Over the past
two decades, we created something special together at Warner: a
music company built for artists, where original voices are
championed, where their creativity is honored and protected, and
where superstar careers are ignited. I'm proud to have grown a
world-class team who share that vision and whose enterprise and
energy have brought in new labels, rebuilt iconic brands, expanded
our global network, and pioneered new fan experiences. The music
business has always been about evolution, and the time has come for
me to build something new. I'll be helping the team through this
transition, and I have no doubt they'll continue to develop artists
who move the world."
Julie Greenwald said: "My whole
career is about developing baby bands into career artists and
empowering our amazing people to change culture in unexpected ways.
It's been twenty years since I walked through the door at Atlantic
and began the work of rearchitecting this iconic label. I couldn't
have done it without the deep passion and dedication of my
incredible team, and our unbelievable artists, who make music that
inspires and moves people everywhere. Finally, I want to welcome
Elliot; I'm looking forward to working with him as we continue to
place our artists and their music at the heart of this
company."
Elliot Grainge said: "It will be
a huge honor to join such a legendary label group, partner with its
iconic artists, and build on the extraordinary achievements of
Julie and Craig - they're leading a second golden age at Atlantic
Records. I'm excited to work with the talented team at Atlantic
Music Group to take the artists and the brand into fresh territory,
and continue to nurture 10K's artists and its unique spirit.
Together, we'll pioneer powerful opportunities for the creative
community and raise up a new generation of superstars. In the
meantime, I'd like to thank Max for his faith in me and Robert for
trusting me with this great responsibility."
Access accompanying images here.
Max Lousada
Among the many artists that have flourished during Lousada's
leadership are superstars such as Ed
Sheeran, Bruno Mars,
Dua Lipa, Coldplay, David Guetta, Megan Thee
Stallion, Myke Towers, and
Diljit Dosanjh. Throughout his
tenure, WMG's recorded music operation strengthened its global
footprint, expanding into major markets such as India and the Middle
East, and carrying out high-profile acquisitions such as
10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, and
Spinnin' Records. Prior to becoming CEO of Recorded Music in 2017,
Lousada served as Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK, where he
oversaw the integration of Parlophone Records. Lousada previously
headed up Atlantic Records UK for nine years, during which time he
built an award-winning team and a strong roster of artists
including Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Rudimental, Plan B, Marina and the
Diamonds, and Damien Rice. In 2002,
he joined Mushroom Records as Head of A&R, signing ambient
dance act Zero 7 and overseeing releases from acts such as Muse,
Ash, Garbage, and DJ Paul Oakenfold. In 2000, he became the
European Managing Director for the New
York-based hip-hop label Rawkus Records, working with
artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli
and Pharoahe Monch. Lousada began his music industry career
straight out of college, founding his own distribution company, In
A Silent Way. In 2018, Lousada was introduced by Dua Lipa when he accepted Music Week's
prestigious Strat Award, which recognizes industry icons and
innovators.
Julie Greenwald
Since joining Atlantic 20 years ago, Greenwald has been integral
to the success of top artists such as Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Kelly
Clarkson, Coldplay, Jack
Harlow, Lil Uzi Vert, Lizzo,
Charli XCX, Kehlani, Bruno Mars,
Janelle Monáe, Panic! at the Disco, Charlie
Puth, Ed Sheeran, Tiësto,
Rob Thomas, Twenty One Pilots, and
Wiz Khalifa, among many others, as
well as award-winning projects such as Barbie the Album and
the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. Under her leadership, Atlantic
Music Group has grown to encompass music brands such as 300, ATCO,
Big Beat, DTA, Elektra, Fueled By Ramen, Low Country Sound, Public
Consumption, and Roadrunner. In 2021, she played a pivotal role in
the acquisition of 300 Entertainment, bringing artists such as
Gunna, Young Thug, and Megan Thee
Stallion. In 2020, she helped to architect a new phase of
WMG's partnership with Artist Partner Group, originally formed in
2012. In 2018, Greenwald oversaw the re-launch of Elektra as a
stand-alone label in the US. Prior to Atlantic, she was president
of The Island Def Jam Music Group. She began her career at Rush
Management and then Def Jam working with Jay Z, Method Man, DMX,
and many others. Greenwald has been chosen five times as
Billboard's Women in Music Executive of the Year — more than
any other person.
Elliot Grainge
Grainge joined WMG last year, after the company acquired a
majority stake in his trailblazing label, 10K Projects. 10K
Projects has discovered and developed new superstars and
fast-rising names, including alt-pop sensation Artemas, rap stars
Ice Spice, Trippie Redd, and 6ix9ine, No.1 Christian artist
Forrest Frank, pop duo Surfaces, as
well as exciting talent like Aitch, YTB Fatt, and COIN. Grainge was
also behind the signing of XXXTENTACION in 2016. In just seven
years, 10K Projects' team of expert
digital marketers has been behind countless commercial and cultural
hits, including over 30 platinum-certified singles. In 2022,
Grainge struck a deal to bring Homemade Projects into the fold,
which encompasses a record label, influencer management, and
merchandise operation.
About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters,
entrepreneurs, and technology that are moving entertainment culture
across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a
network of affiliates and licensees, WMG's Recorded Music division
includes renowned labels such as 10K
Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Elektra,
Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise,
Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin', Warner
Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG's
music publishing arm, Warner Chappell
Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning
every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American
Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music
Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent
community, as well as artist services division WMX. In addition,
WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music
Entertainment among its many brands. Follow WMG on Instagram, X,
TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Media Contact
James
Steven
James.Steven@wmg.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/warner-music-group-announces-reorganization-of-recorded-music-operations-302212882.html
SOURCE Warner Music Group Corp.