Swanson Joins WBR As EVP/Media
• Veteran music industry executive Laura Swanson has joined Warner Bros. Records (WBR) as Executive Vice President, Media & Strategic Development. This marks the first major appointment by WBR Co-Chairman & COO Tom Corson, who started at the label on January 2. Based at the label’s Burbank headquarters, Swanson begins at the company on January 22 and will report to Corson. She will oversee media strategy for Warner Bros.’ genre-spanning roster of artists, as well as play a key role in a wide range of company and executive initiatives.
“I am thrilled to join Tom Corson and the amazing Warner Bros. Records’ team in this new adventure,” said Swanson. “With Tom’s leadership, expertise, creative genius and proven track record combined with the label’s new artistic vision and all the amazing artists who call Warner Bros. home, I predict magic is on the horizon. I truly appreciate Tom for bringing me on board and look forward to next week’s electrifying Grammy celebration and many successful years at Warner Bros. Records.”
“Laura is one of the most admired and experienced communications execs in our business, with outstanding relationships throughout the artistic and media communities,” said Corson. “As our industry continues its rapid evolution, the media landscape is constantly shifting, and Laura has always taken the lead in placing her artists and her labels at the forefront of the most innovative avenues of exposure and development. Our working paths have crossed twice during our careers, at A&M and later at Arista, so I am especially happy to welcome her to the Warner Bros. team at this exciting time in the label’s history.”
Swanson was most recently EVP, Media & Strategic Development at Epic Records, a post she had held since 2014. She previously spent a decade at Island Def Jam in New York as EVP, Publicity & Artist Relations. Swanson began her music industry career at A&M Records, rising to VP of Publicity, followed by a stint as VP of Publicity at Interscope/Geffen/A&M before joining Arista Records, where she rose to SVP of Publicity & Artist Relations.
