Within the newest personnel shakeup at Warner Music Group, Kevin Liles, chairman and CEO of Warner Music’s 300 Elektra Leisure, will depart the corporate on the finish of the 12 months, based on a memo obtained by Selection.
It follows the departures of the corporate’s longtime recorded music chief Max Lousada and Atlantic Recording Group chairman Julie Greenwald, who has been with the corporate He has held senior positions for about 20 years. Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl has appointed 10K Tasks founder Elliot Grainge to interchange Greenwald, with the label chief reporting on to him.
Though Kyncl stated within the memo that Liles is not going to get replaced, 300 executives Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab will oversee the model; Liles will stay on by way of the top of the 12 months to help with the transition.
Lyles, a veteran label and administration govt, joined Warner in 2022 after the corporate acquired 300, which he co-founded with former Warner Music govt Lyor Cohen, for $400 million. The corporate has had large chart success with Younger Thug, Gunna, Megan Thee Stallion (who now has a separate cope with Warners) and extra. His administration purchasers through the years have included Mariah Carey and D’Angelo.
After glowing concerning the firm’s accomplishments in his inner memo, Lyles wrote: “As dedicated servants of tradition, we all know it’s a accountability to develop and empower the following era of leaders, and when the time comes, we’ll The torch is handed on. As I discussed above, in 300 we now have two of probably the most proficient younger homegrown leaders in your entire music business, in Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab, on 300’s tenth anniversary. Main our 300 workforce into the following decade of excellence. On the finish of this month, I will probably be resigning and leaving WMG, however I’ll proceed to seek the advice of with the workforce by way of the top of the 12 months to make sure a profitable transition.
Kinkel wrote within the memo: “As at all times, [Liles’] Constructive vitality focuses on the longer term and appears ahead to his subsequent efficiency.
“Kevin is a charismatic chief who has been profitable in many alternative roles…artist supervisor, label founder, entrepreneur, senior govt…he even began out as a DJ and songwriter Writer. This gave him a 360-degree perspective, making him a unprecedented model builder, artist advocate and champion of inventive expression, the place he was instrumental in creating a singular id from the bottom up. To a stage that few different new labels have matched over the previous 20 years, by way of his work there and extra lately at Elektra, he has developed a tremendous group of expertise, an unbelievable workforce. workforce and top-notch leaders like Rayna, Selim and Gregg.
“This modification will probably be efficient September 30, and Kevin has agreed to remain on till the top of the 12 months to seek the advice of on the transition. I’ve determined to not change him in his function as we contemplate the way forward for your entire Atlantic Music Group. I do know you all Keen to listen to extra, we’ll preserve you up to date as quickly as attainable.
“On the similar time, on behalf of everybody at WMG, I wish to thank Kevin for his lasting affect.”
