Warner Music Group Undergoes Major Executive Restructuring to Take on Recorded Music CEO Max Lusanda to leave at the end of September, the company announced today (August 1). Lousada, who has run the major label's recorded music operation for eight years, will remain a consultant until Jan. 31, the company said. Lusanda's role will cease to exist moving forward, as will the role of international president.
As part of the transition, longtime co-head of Atlantic Records and Atlantic Music Group, chairman/CEO Julie Greenwald will now assume the role of president of Atlantic Music Group, reporting directly to WMG's CEO Robert Kyncl. Meanwhile, founder of 10k Projects Eliot Grange will step up to the role of CEO of Atlantic Music Group effective October 1, also reporting to Kyncl.
The change will shift 10K under the Atlantic Music Group umbrella, along with Atlantic Records, Elektra and 300. Meanwhile, Warner Records — led by co-chairman/CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck and co-president/COO Tom Corson — will oversee Warner Music Nashville, in addition to Nonesuch and Reprise.
“On behalf of everyone at WMG, I would like to thank Max for his outstanding achievements over the past 20 years,” Kyncl said in a statement. “Max is a true champion of artists who has created a culture that puts art first, growing our global reach and building a roster of incredible talent and a great team. I am grateful that he will help ensure a smooth transition.”
“Over the past two decades, we've created something special together at Warner: a music company made for artists, where original voices are championed, where their creativity is honored and protected, and where superstar careers are ignited,” Lousada said in a statement. “I am proud to have grown a world-class team that shares this vision and whose enterprise and energy have brought new labels, rebuilt iconic brands, expanded our global network and pioneered new fan experiences. The music industry has always been about evolution and it was time to make something new. I will be helping the team through this transition and I have no doubt that they will continue to develop artists who move the world.”
The changes at Warner are far-reaching and represent a generational change, particularly at Atlantic, where Greenwald was co-chairman/COO along with co-chairman/CEO Craig Kalman for almost 20 years. Kallman, according to the label, will continue to work as an A&R at Atlantic Records, while Greenwald's new role is described as part of a “leadership transition.”
“My entire career has been about turning baby bands into career artists and empowering our amazing people to change culture in unexpected ways,” Greenwald said in a statement. “It's been 20 years since I walked through the door at Atlantic and began the task of re-architecting this iconic label. I couldn't do it without the deep passion and dedication of my incredible team and our incredible artists, who make music that inspires and moves people everywhere. Finally, I want to welcome Elliot. I look forward to working with him as we continue to place our artists and their music at the heart of this company.”
Grainge, meanwhile, has been at Warner for less than a year, having brought 10K from Universal to Warner in a joint venture last September, a move that made 10K, at least for now, a stand-alone label. Grainge, the son of the chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group Lucian Grangehas had a string of hits since releasing 10K in 2016, including XXXTentacion, Trippie Red and, most recently, Ice Spice.
“I am very pleased to promote Elliott to his new position and am delighted that Julie will assume her new role, both working with Craig as we take this iconic company to even greater heights,” Kyncl continued. “Elliott has been a great addition to the WMG leadership team, with a distinctive approach to artist development. We have an amazing team of creative leaders and I look forward to working more closely with them as we work together on the company's next phase of creative excellence, commercial transformation and growing revenue. 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.”
“It will be a great honor to join such a legendary label group, work with its iconic artists and build on the amazing achievements of Julie and Craig — they are leading a second golden era at Atlantic Records,” Grainge said in a statement. . “I'm excited to work with the talented team at Atlantic Music Group to take the artists and brand to new territory and continue to nurture 10K's artists and its unique spirit. Together, we will pioneer powerful opportunities for the creative community and nurture a new generation of superstars. In the meantime, I would like to thank Max for his faith in me and Robert for entrusting me with this great responsibility.”
This is a developing story.
