Rich Robinson, under whom Warner Chappell has ‘unified its global sync operations.’ Photo Credit: Warner Music
Let the Warner Music Group (WMG) reorganization continue: The major has unveiled a sync-team overhaul at Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and confirmed a bevy of promotions at Warner Music Australasia and Southeast Asia.
WMG revealed the Warner Chappell sync pivot today, after disclosing the Australasia and SE Asia personnel changes yesterday afternoon. Beginning with WCM, the publisher is said to have “unified its global sync operations,” including frontline, catalog, and now production music, under EVP of global sync and media Rich Robinson.
At the top level, this unification will see the roughly seven-year WCM vet (and longtime Warner Music team member) Robinson “take oversight of Warner Chappell’s Audio Asset division” while also carrying on at the helm of the expanded global sync unit.
Still led by Kailey Tenn, the audio-asset division focuses on “making it easy for sync teams to find and use the right materials” and, in Warner Chappell’s view, will be positioned to “enable faster, more precise delivery to clients and partners” thanks to the new structure.
Next, Gavin Caroll, currently production music’s creative licensing VP, will begin “reporting directly to Robinson” – thereby “creating a more cohesive and strategic approach to pitching across the company’s full repertoire,” according to the publisher.
Elsewhere in Warner Chappell’s sync department, Christine Belden remains in place atop the U.S. team, with Faith Adams managing the U.K. division and reporting to the four-year WCM vet Belden.
“Sync is such a powerful bridge between our songwriters and audiences around the world,” Robinson summed up. “By bringing these teams together, we’re unlocking new creative potential – working smarter, moving faster, and delivering a more integrated, end-to-end experience for our partners.”
Shifting to the “slate of key leadership promotions” hitting Warner Music Australasia and Southeast Asia, Alex Young has become Warner Music Australasia’s VP of domestic artists. And Dan Ellis has been elevated to VP of international artist strategy for Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia alike.
Both professionals will report to Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia’s president, Dan Rosen, with an eye on strengthening the “domestic artist pipeline” and accelerating “the global export of music from the region.”
Supporting Young in the fresh post are three-year team member Charlotte Kindred (who’s been upped to Australasia’s head of domestic artist strategy) and Sarah Thomas (now artist relations and promotions manager for Australasia export).
In the “newly created and unique role,” the 15-year WCM exec Thomas will set up shop in the Big Apple and look to “establish new global networks and export opportunities for Australasian artists.”
Meanwhile, Ellis will draw support from Lucy Baker (who, having rejoined Warner Music over the summer, has been promoted to head of PR, artist relations, and wellbeing), Jordon Dionatos (Australasia’s international artist strategy lead), and Singapore-based Lisan Yee (Southeast Asia’s international artist strategy lead).
Finally, marketing manager Manny Kupelian has landed a new title (head of creator strategy) – as have Mat Buck (GM for streaming, social, and community) and Luke Vespa (reporting to Buck as streaming and partnerships lead).
“These strategic appointments reflect our unwavering commitment to our mission, to take our local artists global and make our global artists local,” Rosen elaborated in part. “With an expanded regional footprint, we are now better positioned than ever to deliver on this mission.”
