Butler Legally Upgraded At WCM
• Steve Butler has been promoted to Head of Legal & Business Affairs, North America, for Warner Chappell Music (WCM). In this new role, Butler will support WCM’s U.S. (including Nashville and U.S. Latin) and Canadian markets, working closely with various departments to ensure cohesion across its North American operations.
Butler has been with the WCM Legal & Business Affairs team for more than a decade, starting as Vice President before being promoted to Senior Vice President. During his time at WCM, Butler has negotiated, closed, and managed deals with a range of high-profile songwriters and artists across multiple genres, as well as overseen key acquisitions — including WCM’s purchase of David Bowie‘s iconic music catalog in early 2022.
Butler will continue to report to Peter Rosenthal, WCM EVP, Global Head of Legal & Business Affairs, who said, “Steve’s new title reflects the widespread respect he’s earned across the industry, not only from colleagues, but most importantly, from our songwriters and their lawyers, managers, and other representatives. His skills as a lawyer and dealmaker are surpassed only by his passion for music, which shines through everything he does.”
Butler remarked, “I love working across genres and getting to collaborate with our A&R teams here in the U.S. and around the world. During my time at WCM, I’ve had the opportunity to work on deals with a range of talent, from Dan + Shay and Thomas Rhett to MAG and Marco Antonio Solís to Anderson .Paak and Kaleo to David Bowie. I look forward to continuing to partner with Guy, Carianne, Peter, and the entire team to add even more exceptional songwriters to our roster.”
Prior to joining WCM, Butler spent several years working in private practice, and he got his start in music at Warner Bros. Records. [Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner]
