Warner Music Group Names Max Lousada CEO of Recorded Music
Warner Music Group has named Max Lousada CEO of all recorded music at the label group, effective this fall.
Warner Music Group has named Max Lousada CEO of all recorded music at the label group, effective this fall. Currently the head of Warner Music UK, Lousada will oversee all of WMG’s global operations, including Atlantic, Warner Bros., Parlophone, Warner Music Nashville, Global Catalog/Rhino and Warner Classics, as well as WMG’s international Recorded Music affiliates and WMG’s Artist & Label Services divisions, WEA and ADA.
Lousada starts his new job on Oct. 1 and will report directly to WMG CEO Steve Cooper, who calls the industry veteran a “natural choice” for leading the company as it continues to transition into a streaming economy. “Since taking over the helm of Warner Music UK, he has continued to build his reputation for identifying and developing world-class artistic and executive talent,” said Cooper in a statement. “At the same time, he’s transformed our UK operation, with an inspired vision of a truly progressive music company in the 21st century.”
Perhaps the biggest feather in Lousada’s cap during his three years as CEO of Warner Music UK, or WMUK, has been the global success of Ed Sheeran, whose “Shape of You” just topped the Hot 100 for a tenth week. “It was obvious from when I first met him that Max had an amazing music brain, his passion and knowledge is second to none and he has been responsible for so many artists’ success stories. I am so happy for him that this is being recognized with this new role,” said Sheeran.
Lousada will continue to helm WMUK going forward, in addition to his new duties, the label said. Other artists who make WMUK their home include Muse, Blur, Gorillaz, Clean Bandit, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd and Coldplay, who released a statement calling Lousada the “perfect package: a man of honour and principle with a brilliant mind and a deep love of music.”
Earlier in his music business career Lousada worked at Mushroom Records before its acquisition by Warner Music UK in 2003, after which he became head of A&R at Atlantic UK before rising to president and then chairman in 2009.
Said WMG owner Len Blavatnik, “Max has developed Warner Music UK into the premier home for British artists and a center of music innovation. WMG’s artists and our global Recorded Music operations will greatly benefit from his creative thinking and artist development expertise.”