Val Blavatnik Named to Warner Music Group Executive Team, Elliot Grainge Named Chair of ADA, More
Categoria: Musica
As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.
Por Billboard | 25/09/2026
Val Blavatnik , the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik , has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced today (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release. Related Warner Music Group Earnings Call Recap: What You Need to Know Billboard to Add Smart Media Albums As Chart-Eligible Sales Formats Duane 'Keffe D' Davis Gives First Interview After Tupac Shakur Murder Conviction The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take over ADA as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque , who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. Zach Friedman , currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA to his resume. That means that Simon Robson , who has been president of EMEA recorded music since last September, and has spent almost 30 years in senior international roles at Warner Music, will be leaving the company. Replacing him in that role will be Guillermo Gonzalez , who has spent the past six years as president of Warner Music Iberia; Andrés Rothschild will take over Iberian operations. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Simon Robson for his dedicated service, operational excellence and trusted leadership while expanding WMG’s global footprint over his remarkable tenure, and wish him the very best in his next endeavors,” Kyncl said in a statement about Robson’s exit. Finally, Aaron Bay-Schuck has been affirmed as the sole chairman/CEO of Warner Records, two months after co-chair/COO Tom Corson was elevated to COO of the Warner Music Group. Bay-Schuck has co-led the label since 2018, and will continue as the sole chief moving forward. “To build upon our successful year in which we delivered on all three strategic priorities to grow market share, increase the value of music and increase our efficiency, these frontline executive changes enhance our best-in-class leadership team with diverse skill sets to execute on the next chapter of WMG’s growth,” Kyncl said in a statement about the slew of moves. “Elliot, Aaron, Alejandro and Guillermo are exceptional, dynamic and proven leaders who have transformed their domains, and elevating them allows us to further scale their success. I’m also excited to welcome Val to the executive team, where his operational and strategic f