Max Lousada Elevated To CEO/Recorded Music For Warner Music Group
Max Lousada
Max Lousada has been named CEO, Recorded Music for Warner Music Group (WMG), effective October 1. Lousada is currently Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK (WMUK), home to a host of British superstars including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Muse, Gorillaz, Rita Ora, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush and more.
With the promotion, Lousada will oversee all of WMG’s global recorded music 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. Reporting to WMG CEO Steve Cooper, Lousada will divide his time between London and New York and will continue to lead Warner Music UK alongside his new worldwide responsibilities.
Lousada began his career by founding his own distribution company, In A Silent Way. In 2000, he became the European Managing Director for New York-based hip-hop label Rawkus Records, where he worked with artists such as Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. In 2002, he joined Mushroom Records as Head of A&R, signing dance act Zero 7 and overseeing releases from acts such as Muse, Ash, Garbage and DJ Paul Oakenfold. Following Warner Music UK’s acquisition of Mushroom Records in 2003, Lousada became Head of A&R at Atlantic UK, rising to President then Chairman in 2009. During his decade at Atlantic, he built a roster of artists including Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Rudimental, Plan B, Marina and the Diamonds, Lykke Li, Damien Rice and Birdy.
Since 2013, Lousada has expanded Warner Music UK’s repertoire to serve a broader range of artists, playing an instrumental role in the integration of Parlophone into WMUK, as well as reviving the East West Records imprint and launching dance music imprints within each of the UK’s front line labels. In addition, he has strengthened the company’s creative capabilities with the launch of The Firepit, a video content division, innovation lab and state-of-the-art recording studio.
“With WMG breaking more superstars and leading the industry’s transition to streaming, this is the perfect time to appoint a proven leader to turbocharge the success of our Recorded Music division,” said Cooper. “Max’s wide-ranging achievements make him the natural choice. 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. At the same time, he’s transformed our UK operation, with an inspired vision of a truly progressive music company in the 21st century. He’s the consummate music man, always exploring what we can do differently to benefit our artists, their fans, our people and our partners. I’m looking forward to working with Max as he leads our outstanding Recorded Music management team.”
“I came to Warner because it’s always been such a fantastic melting pot of independent spirits uniting to champion artists that change culture and make music that matters,” said Lousada. “Fourteen years later, that ethos is as strong as ever, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on those foundations with my extremely gifted partners around the world. Together, we’ll continue to create an environment where talent has the support and the freedom to flourish, where we empower our artists and our people to be true pioneers, and where we inspire audiences to be as excited about music as we are. I would like to thank Len and Steve for their tremendous support.”
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