Warner Music Nashville Restructures Radio Team

/by

Warner Music Nashville has reimagined its radio team to reflect the ever-changing landscape of country radio.

Sr. VP Radio Kristen Williams leads the restructuring effort that will create a dynamic and future-facing two-pronged structure within her radio department. The model will supplement the traditional geographic method to securing airplay with a freshly designed account-focused approach.

“Our new model is simultaneously conducive to curated relationships with individual radio stations and high-level, detailed collaboration with radio chains,” Williams says. “With an added emphasis on a national approach, the radio department will be able to super-serve radio on all levels while being focused, creative and nimble with the music and new artists we bring to the marketplace.’

Anna Cage, currently National Director for the WMN radio team, will be promoted to VP Radio. Cage will oversee the WEA, WAR and WMN teams, each of which will have three regional managers and designated coordinators. Stephanie Hagerty will be promoted from Regional Manager to National Director, Radio for the WEA team; and Michael Chase will continue to lead the WAR team as National Director. Williams and Cage are seeking qualified applicants for the role of National Director, Radio for the WMN team.

Tom Martens, currently VP Radio, will transition to the newly created VP, Radio Accounts role. He will manage three directors, each of whom will oversee relationships with radio chains. The accounts team will work on both securing airplay and curating marketing opportunities. Lou Ramirez will be promoted from Regional Manager to Director, Radio Accounts; James Marsh will transition from National Director to Director, Radio Accounts; and Shari Roth will transition from National Director to Director, Radio Accounts.

In addition to these moves, the department will add a radio-specific analyst to gather and interpret key data in order to provide even more rich and digestible data to support radio promotion efforts across the roster.

Exec. VP / GM, Ben Kline, says: “At Warner Music Nashville, we’re a collective group of music lovers who thrive on artistry but recognize the importance supporting our releases with research. Adding this critical resource to the radio department further emphasizes our commitment to radio by delivering them transparent and effective data.”

“It takes a bold move to impact change, and Warner Music Nashville has always been willing to do things differently,” adds WMN Chairman & CEO, John Esposito. “We pride ourselves on being early to identify where the industry is going and taking the steps to meet it there. When we saw that country music was expanding globally, for example, we created touring and international departments. We are now faced with an increasingly centralized radio landscape. Thanks to the expertise, leadership and passion of Kristen Williams, we have designed a targeted approach to meeting the needs of artists and partners at every level.”

LB Cantrell
Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)