Warner Music Group Makes Major Changes to Leadership Including Exit of 30-Year Veteran Simon Robson

Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced a series of hires and departures in its highest ranks. The shakeup involves multiple departments, including Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); the executive team; and the independent services division, ADA.

Personnel:

• Val Blavatnik joins the company as Managing Director, Warner Music North America, UK, & Corporate Development. He’s been on WMG’s board since 2023.

• Simon Robson will step down as President, EMEA, Recorded Music, WMG, after almost 30 years with the label.

• Guillermo Gonzalez will be the new President, Warner Music EMEA.

• Andrés Rothschild will fill Gonzalez’s previous role as President of Warner Music Iberia.

• Alejandro Duque has been promoted to President, Warner Music International.

• Elliot Grainge will expand into the role of Chairman of ADA on top of his current role as Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group (AMG).

• Zach Friedman will be Vice Chairman of ADA while continuing as COO of AMG.

• Duque will lead ADA outside the US.

• Aaron Bay-Shuck will serve as Chairman and CEO of Warner Record Group following his Co-Chair, Tom Corson, shifting to COO of Warner Music Group.

What they said:

• Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group: “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. 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.”