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New appointments at Warner Music

By | Published on Wednesday 26 March 2014

Warner Music Group

Warner Music’s CFO Brian Roberts is stepping down, the music major confirmed to the US Securities & Exchange Commission yesterday. Roberts, formerly with the original BMG publishing business, joined Warner in 2007, initially heading up the finances of the mini-major’s publishing unit, before becoming CFO of the wider group in 2012. Roberts will actually depart at the end of the firm’s current financial year on 30 Sep.

In an internal memo confirming Roberts’ departure, published by Billboard, Warner chief Stephen Cooper wrote: “Even though nothing will change for some time, and I will have another opportunity to thank Brian for all he’s done, I would like to acknowledge his on-going contributions to WMG. As an influential member of our senior management team, the range of his accomplishments far exceeds what the traditional title of CFO would suggest. During a period of rapid transformation, he’s proven himself to be an adept strategist, leader and operator, all the while ensuring we maintain the discipline to nurture our growth”.

Elsewhere in the world of Warner Music, the major has announced a replacement for the boss of its Japanese business, Kei Ishizaka, who announced he was retiring last month. Kazuyuki Kobayashi will take over the CEO role for Warner in Japan, joining from Sony Music Japan where he actually most recently oversaw non-recorded music ventures including TV, magazine, live and ticketing initiatives.

He will be joined in his new job by Shuji Utsumi, who will become the COO of Warner Music Japan, and who also comes from a non-recorded music background, joining Warner from gaming company Q Entertainment. Which possibly tells us something about where Warner sees the real opportunities for its Japanese business, building its interests in music-based ventures beyond just record sales.

Lachie Rutherford, President of Warner Music Asia Pacific, told CMU: “I am thrilled to welcome Kaz and Shuji to Warner Music. They are both pioneering executives with exemplary track records and a wealth of entertainment experience”.

He went on: “Kaz is one of Japan’s leading music professionals whose unrivalled A&R and marketing expertise has guided the careers of huge Japanese artists and global superstars. Shuji’s many business successes can be attributed to his sharp entrepreneurial instincts, strong operational knowledge and deep understanding of the wider opportunities to monetise music. I am confident that their combined skills, vision and commitment to innovation will ensure that we continue to offer the best home for extraordinary talent in Japan”.



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