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Warner Music appoints new president of technology
An interesting personnel appointment announcement caught the attention of Music Finance, and Warner Music Group, one of the three majors, began to accelerate the direction of technology, appointing a technical president. (Review:
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Recently, Warner Music Group announced the hiring of Ariel Bardin as the company's newly created president of technology. According to the press release, Bardin will be part of the Warner Music Group's leadership team and will be responsible for the company's technology and data, including the development of systems, processes and products, to provide technical support for Warner Music Group's growth.
In his new role, Bardin will report directly to Warner Music Group's new CEO, Robert Kyncl. (Review:
How hard did Warner Music try to squeeze into Web3?
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A veteran of the tech world, Bardin has worked at YouTube for more than 16 years, developing and launching products such as Google AdWords and Google Payments. During his tenure at YouTube, he worked with the platform's top creators to develop new features, including creator products and YouTube's content ID system.
More recently, Bardin served as chief product officer at Celonis, which created a new category of developing processes for commercial customers.
Bardin holds a master's degree in management science and engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Southern California.
Kyncl said: "Bardin understands how technology can serve creativity, resulting in real, lasting cultural and business impact. He has a high appreciation of art, deep technical expertise, and a high degree of execution. We are fortunate and welcome him to our team. ”
Bardin said: "During my time at Google, I had the privilege of working with Kyncl to empower and provide technical support to YouTube creators. Today, under his leadership, Warner Music Group is entering an exciting new era, and I look forward to joining Warner to provide the highest level of service to the company's musicians, songwriters and team." ”
02
Concord's CEO and label head both stepped down
Recently, Concord, the world's heavyweight independent music rights holder, revealed plans for a management transition in 2023.
Concord announced that CEO Scott Pascucci and Chief Label Officer Tom Whalley will step down on June 30, with current president Bob Valentine taking over as CEO on July 1.
Pascucci will remain a member of Concord's board of directors, and Pascucci and Whalley will join Jake Wisely, Concord's former chief copyright agency officer, as founding members of the newly formed Concord Advisory Board. Whalley will also continue to be involved in the day-to-day work of Loma Vista Recordings, his joint venture with Concord.
The news marks the second time this month that a CEO has announced his departure from music giant Corp. after BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch confirmed he will leave at the end of 2023 to be replaced by Thomas Coesfeld. BMG and Concord have comparable levels of turnover, but BMG's companies are larger: Concord is said to generate about $600 million a year, while BMG generated €371 million in the first half of 2022.
In addition, it was confirmed this week that Helen Murphy has stepped down as CEO of Anthem Entertainment Group (formerly Olé).
While these moves, coupled with Wisely's exit, seem to indicate a conflict at the top of the company, a source told Variety that today's announcement has been in the works for some time and there is no conflict.
Pascucci joined Concord in 2013 when Bicycle Music and Wood Creek Capital acquired Concord Music Group. Prior to joining Concord, he was a board member of Bicycle Music. Previous executive roles include President of Rhino Entertainment/Warner Strategic Marketing and Co-Chairman of Frank Sinatra Enterprises.
Announcing the news, Pascucci said: "I started my career in the music industry more than 30 years ago for the simple reason that I love music. In the process, I discovered that I enjoyed starting businesses and leading teams. Thanks to Brett Hellerman for giving me the opportunity to do these things at Concord. ”
"In 10 years, we've built a company that is important in the music industry, a place that cares about employees, musicians and songwriters, and is ready for the future," he said. I am proud of what we have achieved. I look forward to staying on the Board and helping guide the company under Bob's leadership, while also having more time to focus on my interests in film and social impact." ”
Pascucci added, "I am very grateful to Jon Rotolo, Steve Smith and Alex Thomson for their unwavering support and guidance, as well as the entire Concord team for their help. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Tom Whalley and Jake Clever for sharing Concord's vision with me and for their willingness to join me as founding members of the new Concord Advisory Board. ”
Valentine joined Norman Lear's Act III Communications in 1999 when the company acquired Concord Records. In 2001, he left Act III Communications to join Fox Entertainment's television business development group, but four years later he returned to Concord, serving as its chief financial officer from 2005 to 2021 until he was named president in 2021.
Valentine said: "Since Norman Lear and his business partner Hal Gaba had the vision to acquire a small independent jazz label in the same year that Napster was invented, I have had the privilege of helping to grow Concord into the company it is today. Since then, the journey has been filled with fear, excitement, and surprise, and has yielded incredible rewards. Pascucci has led Concord through tremendous growth and change over the past decade, and I'm incredibly proud of him and Whalley. I'm excited to lead Concord into this new chapter and I'm thrilled that Pascucci and Whalley will continue to offer their insights and advice along the way." ”
Whalley is a music industry veteran who has worked with Metallica, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, Linkin Park, Josh Groban and Madonna. In 2012, after leaving Warner Bros. Records, he formed Loma Vista Recordings with Lucian Grainge of Universal Music Group and Republic Records, bringing the company to Concord in 2014.
Loma Vista has released St. Vista. Albums by Vincent, Little Dragon, Ghost, Manchester Orchestra, Soundgarden, and Iggy Pop.
Shortly after Loma Vista joined Concord, Whalley agreed to lead Concord's A-list labels as chief label officer. In this role, Whalley focuses on the global marketing of Concord Label Group and the expansion of the A&R platform, as well as supporting label artist development and expanding the artist lineup.
Tom Whalley said: "In 2014 I developed a great relationship with Scott Pascucci and Concord. This partnership helped establish a very important independent label, Loma Vista Recordings. Concord has built a very strong global platform to support our very talented cast of entertainers. From top to bottom, each of our departments has very passionate, experienced marketing support, promotion, finance and business executives who do an excellent job every day. ”
Steve Smith, Chairman of the Board of Concord, said, "Pascucci challenged and inspired the Concord team to grow into a global music company that far exceeded our expectations. Since we acquired the company in 2013, Concord has grown into a highly successful independent company designed to support musicians, enhance reputations, and make an impact on culture. We are very grateful for their contributions to Concord and are pleased that they have committed to staying in close contact with the company's leadership following their current role transition." ”
Alex Thomson, Vice Chairman of Concord, said: "The 2023 Concord management team is the most experienced in the company's history with the most senior lineup of future leaders, Bob Valentine is a creative and resourceful executive who is uniquely positioned to lead the company to success as Concord's next CEO. ”
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