Entrepreneurial Leader and Creator Economy
Pioneer Joining from YouTube
Steve Cooper
to Complete Successful Tenure as Longest-Running WMG CEO on
January 31
NEW
YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Robert Kyncl has been appointed
Chief Executive Officer of Warner Music Group Corp. (Nasdaq: WMG),
effective January 1, 2023. Kyncl
currently serves as Chief Business Officer at YouTube, where he's
been instrumental in its phenomenal growth across all platforms. To
ensure a smooth leadership transition, Kyncl and current WMG CEO
Steve Cooper will serve as Co-CEOs
for the month of January 2023. As of
February 1, 2023, Kyncl will become
sole CEO of WMG and assume Cooper's board seat on WMG's Board of
Directors.
Since 2010, Kyncl has played a central role in YouTube's
strategy and its impact on entertainment and culture, including
overseeing its creative and commercial partnerships, as well as its
operations. He's driven the development and expansion of YouTube's
creator, artist, and media company ecosystem, while helping lead
the launch of its paid subscription services, YouTube Music,
YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. Prior to YouTube, Kyncl spent
seven years at Netflix, where he led the push into streaming film
and TV content, helping the company evolve into an entertainment
giant.
Cooper is the longest-running CEO in WMG's history, having been
appointed in August 2011, following
the purchase of the company by Len
Blavatnik's Access Industries. During Cooper's leadership,
the company has expanded its investment in artists and songwriters,
grown its global market share, and diversified its revenue sources.
The first music entertainment company to report streaming as its
largest source of recorded music revenue, WMG has now established a
reputation as a Web 3.0 innovator. In the last decade, the company
has acquired companies such as Parlophone Label Group, Gold
Typhoon, Spinnin', and 300, launched operations in over 20
additional countries, and assembled a network of D2C destinations
under the WMX banner.
WMG's Board of Directors said, "After a thorough search, we're
delighted to be appointing Robert
Kyncl, who will make an outstanding leader for WMG's
continued transformation and success. We thank Steve for his many
accomplishments over more than a decade, and we look forward to
welcoming our new CEO in January."
Len Blavatnik, Founder and
Chairman of Access Industries said, "Robert is the right CEO to
meet this moment. His command of technology to serve creativity
will unlock new opportunities at scale for artists, songwriters,
and their teams. He sees over the horizon to find ways to make
world-class entertainment accessible for all."
He added, "It would be difficult to overstate our gratitude to
Steve for all his expertise and hard work. He has done an
exceptional job driving the company from decline to growth and
spearheading its 2020 IPO. He has established a strong management
team and culture, and his tenure at WMG will benefit the music
ecosystem for years to come."
Robert Kyncl said, "Music is an
incredible creative force, with an unmatched ability to bring
emotions, build communities, and propel change. We're just at the
beginning of what's possible in recognizing music's true power,
value, and reach. Thanks to Steve and his team, WMG is very well
positioned for a future of serving artists and songwriters, as well
as their fans. I'm looking forward to partnering with Max [Lousada], Guy [Moot], Carianne [Marshall], and all of the company's
leadership, and I thank WMG's Board of Directors, Len, and Steve,
for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at this iconic
company."
Steve Cooper said, "Robert is a
fantastic choice for CEO. He's a hugely talented executive who'll
bring dynamic energy to WMG and the music entertainment business.
He'll have world-class partners in WMG's senior management and
global team. I'm very proud of all we've accomplished together,
attracting and nurturing amazing artists and songwriters, while
leading the industry in the use of new technologies and the
expansion into emerging markets. After a smooth handover with
Robert is complete, I'm looking forward to becoming a full-time fan
of the best team in the business."
Recruited by Netflix in 2003 to work on its DVD-by-mail
business, Kyncl volunteered to explore the potential of streaming
video in 2005 and helped deliver the debut of Netflix's streaming
service in 2007. Having forged wide-ranging relationships across
entertainment culture, he joined YouTube in 2010. He began his
career in the mailroom of a talent agency, J. Michael Bloom, and then worked for HBO
International, before joining a kids entertainment start-up,
ALFY.
Robert Kyncl and his wife Luz run
the Kyncl Family Foundation, which provides financial assistance to
students from underrepresented communities pursuing STEM degrees. A
sought-after speaker on cultural trends and technology, he is the
co-author of Streampunks: YouTube and the Rebels Remaking
Media. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine
University and a BS in International Relations from
SUNY New Paltz.
Access accompanying image here.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Music Group
About Warner Music Group
With a legacy extending back
over 200 years, Warner Music Group (WMG) today brings together
artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs that are moving
entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70
countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG's
Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 300
Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra,
Erato, First Night, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise,
Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin', Warner
Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG's
music publishing arm, Warner Chappell
Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning
every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American
Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music
Group is also home to ADA, the independent artist and label
services company – as well as next gen artist services division
WMX, which includes consumer brands such as Songkick, the live
music app; EMP, the merchandise e-tailer; UPROXX, the youth culture
destination; and HipHopDX, the hip-hop music news site. In
addition, WMG counts storytelling powerhouse Warner Music
Entertainment and social media content creator IMGN among its many
brands. Follow WMG on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and
Facebook.
Media Contacts
James
Steven
James.Steven@wmg.com
Summer Wilkie
Summer.Wilkie@wmg.com
Investor Relations Contact
Kareem Chin
Kareem.Chin@wmg.com
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SOURCE Warner Music Group Corp.