Lousada New CEO, Recorded Music, WMG

Max Lousada, currently Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK has been named CEO, Recorded Music for Warner Music Group (WMG), effective October 1, 2017. With this promotion, Lousada will oversee all of WMG’s global Recorded Music operations, including Atlantic, Warner Bros., Parlophone, Warner Music Nashville, Global Catalog/Rhino and Warner Classics, as well as WMG’s international Recorded Music affiliates and WMG’s Artist & Label Services divisions, WEA and ADA. Lousada will report to WMG CEO Steve Cooper and divide his time between London and New York, and will continue to lead Warner Music UK alongside his new worldwide responsibilities.

Cooper said, in part, “With WMG breaking more superstars and leading the industry’s transition to streaming, this is the perfect time to appoint a proven leader to turbocharge the success of our Recorded Music division. Max’s wide-ranging achievements make him the natural choice… He’s the consummate music man, always exploring what we can do differently to benefit our artists, their fans, our people and our partners. I’m looking forward to working with Max as he leads our outstanding Recorded Music management team.”

Len Blavatnik, Founder & Chairman of Access Industries commented, “Max has developed Warner Music UK into the premier home for British artists and a center of music innovation. WMG’s artists and our global Recorded Music operations will greatly benefit from his creative thinking and artist development expertise.” Lousada remarked, “I came to Warner because it’s always been such a fantastic melting pot of independent spirits uniting to champion artists that change culture and make music that matters. Fourteen years later, that ethos is as strong as ever, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on those foundations with my extremely gifted partners around the world. Together, we’ll continue to create an environment where talent has the support and the freedom to flourish, where we empower our artists and our people to be true pioneers, and where we inspire audiences to be as excited about music as we are. I would like to thank Len and Steve for their tremendous support.”