Val Blavatnik, Elliot Grainge Figure Prominently as WMG Leadership "Evolves"

Big changes are underway at Warner Music Group, which has announced several moves touted as part of its “evolving” leadership structure.

Val Blavatnik has officially earned his corporate stripes, joining the exec team with the unwieldy title of managing director, Warner Music North America, U.K., and corporate development. In case you were wondering, he’ll be working on operations and investment strategies. And um, you know, synergy and stuff.

After a successful tenure at Warner Music Latin, Alejandro Duque is being upped to president of Warner Music International.

Atlantic Music Group boss Elliot Grainge will add oversight of independent distro wing ADA to his remit, while AMG’s Zach Friedman appends ADA vice-chairman duties to his. The two will continue to operate the division, the press announcement assures us, “as a standalone business.”

With former label COO Tom Corson having ascended to the corporate offices, Aaron Bay Schuck now has sole custody of Warner Records Group.

Erstwhile Warner Iberia boss Guillermo Gonzalez becomes head of Warner EMEA (that’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa to you) and Andrés Rothschild becomes new Iberia chief.

Simon Robson will step down as president, EMEA.

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.”
—Robert Kyncl

Fortunately, WMG topper Robert Kyncl remembered to do his vocal warmups before uncorking this:

“To build upon a 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. At the same time, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Simon Robson for his dedicated service and leadership across WMG and wish him the very best in his next endeavors.”

Stay tuned for updates.