Management Change @ Warner Music France
• Alain Veille has been tapped as the new President of Warner Music France, effective Jan. 1, 2021. He will succeed the legendary Thierry Chassagne (right), who is retiring at the end of the year after 35 years in the music business. Veille, who has been with Warner for nearly 20 years, is currently Managing Director, Digital and Export Director for the company.
Veille (left) will report to Stu Bergen, Warner Music’s CEO, International and Global Commercial Services, who said, “This is a historic day for our business in France. Alain is the perfect choice to build on Thierry’s legacy and support our artists and team today and in the future. Warner Music France is one of our company’s jewels, with a cultural thread that connects the legends of Edith Piaf and Johnny Hallyday to the contemporary sounds of Aya Nakamura and Ninho.
Veille began his music career in 1993 at Sony Music France, followed by a stint at Universal Music France. He joined Warner Music Group in 2001 as Managing Director of WEA France, and was named to his current role in 2018. “I’m delighted to have been invited to take on the Presidency of Warner Music France,” Veille said. “It’s not just a senior leadership role; it’s an opportunity to help shape the culture of our country and elevate our fantastic artists onto the global stage. I want to thank Thierry for his leadership and friendship over so many years. He’s taught me so much, and I wish him great happiness for many years to come. And I thank Stu for this wonderful new opportunity.”
Chassagne is the longest serving leader in Warner Music France’s history — he assumed command of the company in 2004 and oversaw its merger with Parlophone in 2013. “Thierry is a legendary music man who has made deep and long-lasting contributions not only to our company, but to the fabric of the French music industry during a period of unprecedented transformation in the business,” said Bergen. “He’s also been a true friend to me over the years, as well as a mentor to generations of rising talent within the business. I wish him a long and healthy retirement.”
Chassagne remarked, “I’ve loved leading the passionate and inspired team at Warner Music France over the last 16 years. We’re a real family and look after each other — no more so than in the last few months. I leave the music industry with immense gratitude to all the people with whom I’ve worked over the years. I was lucky enough to be able to make my passion my profession, alongside inspiring and legendary artists, and I’m confident that Alain, with who I’ve worked for many years, will successfully take on the challenge of running Warner Music France.”
