Warner Music Reshuffles Executives, Elevates Val Blavatnik — SkimNews
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- Val Blavatnik, 28, son of WMG owner Len Blavatnik, was named Managing Director of North America, U.K. & Corporate Development, tasked with unifying business and operational strategy and guiding the company's investment strategy.
- Alejandro Duque was elevated to President of Warner Music International, with APAC and EMEA regions added to his remit.
- Elliot Grainge was named Chairman of independent distribution company ADA in the U.S. while retaining his role as Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group, and appointed Zach Friedman as Vice Chairman of ADA alongside his COO role at AMG.
- Aaron Bay-Schuck became sole Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group after former co-chairman Tom Corson was elevated to COO of Warner Music Group.
- Guillermo Gonzalez was promoted to President of Warner Music EMEA after six years running Warner Music Iberia, with Andrés Rothschild taking over as President of Warner Music Iberia.
- Simon Robson will step down in December after nearly 30 years with WMG to pursue new opportunities, having helped expand the company's global footprint.
- Val Blavatnik joined WMG's board in 2023, holds a recently completed Harvard MBA, and previously served as Senior Director of Business Development at Warner Chappell Music and on LionTree's media and technology investment team.
Why it matters: The elevation of Len Blavatnik's 28-year-old son to a senior operating role deepens the controlling shareholder family's direct involvement at the company, while the simultaneous promotion of proven operators like Bay-Schuck and Duque signals CEO Robert Kyncl is consolidating tested leaders as WMG delivered on three stated strategic priorities to grow market share.
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