Tom Corson Named WMG COO as CFO Armin Zerza Departs
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- Tom Corson was promoted from Co-Chairman and COO of Warner Records to Chief Operating Officer of Warner Music Group, reporting to CEO Robert Kyncl.
- Corson, who joined Warner Records in 2018, has overseen business operations, strategy, and commercial development for artists including Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dua Lipa, and Benson Boone.
- Corson will continue working alongside Warner Records co-chairman and CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck during a transition period at the label.
- Armin Zerza is stepping down as WMG's CFO and COO effective immediately for personal reasons, having held the role since May 2025.
- Zerza had succeeded EVP and CFO Bryan Castellani, who departed WMG after less than two years in the role.
- WMG has launched a search for Zerza's replacement, with SVP, Global Controller and Chief Accounting Officer Lou Dickler serving as acting CFO; Zerza will assist with the transition through the end of the year.
Why it matters: WMG is consolidating day-to-day operations under Corson — a label operator credited with Warner Records' recent resurgence — while simultaneously losing its CFO after roughly seven months. The CFO seat has now turned over twice in roughly two years (Castellani out, Zerza out), forcing Warner to recruit permanent financial leadership on top of installing its new group COO.
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