UPDATE: Strang has stepped down as CEO of WBR. Earlier story is below.
Changes at Warner Music Group continue this week with the resignation of Cameron Strang, current chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Records, from the major label group's board of directors. Taking his place on the panel, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, was Max Lousada, who started his job as WMG's head of recorded music on Oct. 1. Company stockholders also elected Warner/Chappell chairman and CEO Jon Platt and welcomed back economist Noreena Hertz -- who previously served from 2014 to 2016 -- to the board, increasing its size from 11 to 13 directors.
As previously reported, Strang was in New York City last week to meet with top executives at WMG. At least two major additions to the WMG leadership team appear imminent: the label group has approached Interscope's head of A&R Aaron Bay-Schuck about a potential role and discussions have been going on for months with RCA president and COO Tom Corson about an unspecified label-head job. Strang's status as head of one of WMG's flagship labels (the other being Atlantic) remains unclear; a company rep did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Lousada is in his third day as CEO of recorded music at Warner Music, meaning he oversees Warner Bros., Atlantic, Parlophone, Warner Music Nashville, Rhino, Warner Classics and the company's artist and label services divisions, WEA and ADA. He spent the previous four years as chairman and CEO of Warner Music UK and before that headed up Atlantic Records UK for nine years.
"I am very pleased to welcome these three leaders to our Board of Directors," commented Steve Cooper, WMG's CEO. "With Max now bringing his entrepreneurial vision to our entire Recorded Music operation, and Jon leading Warner/Chappell to new heights around the world, they will bring invaluable insight to our Board. I'm also delighted that we'll once again draw on Noreena’s unique global perspective and experience, which were so welcome during her previous tenure."
Len Blavatnik, chairman and founder of WMG parent Access Industries, thanked Strang for his six years on the board, saying, "We are deeply appreciative of his many contributions."
