Universal Music Appoints Libby Bush to Lead Global Brand Partnerships

Universal Music Group has named Libby Bush to the newly created role of President, Global Brands and Commercial Partnerships, starting in November. Based in Los Angeles, she will report to UMG's Chief Operating Officer Boyd Muir.

According to the announcement, Bush will "lead a new global function that brings together UMG's brands, media, and commercial partnership businesses, including Universal Music Group for Brands… Spanning digital platforms, physical products and live experiences, these collaborations will be rooted in artists' originality and authentic connections with fans."

Bush joins from Creative Artists Agency, where she served as Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships and sat on the Agency Board. She previously founded Tandem Entertainment, an entertainment partnerships agency acquired by CAA in 2020, and held roles at Marvel Entertainment, ABC Entertainment, the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and the National Basketball Association.

Muir framed the appointment as a response to shifting fan behaviour. "As the ways fans experience music evolve, the opportunities for our artists multiply," he said. "Bringing our brand, media, and commercial partnerships together under Libby's leadership will help extend our artists' reach and grow their revenues, while giving our partners new ways to build relationships with fans and collaborate with the world's most influential voices. Libby brings exceptional creative and commercial expertise to the world's leading music company. She'll work with our talent, teams, and partners to create memorable experiences for fans, lasting value for brands, and new possibilities for artists."

Avex Takes Majority Control of S10 Entertainment

Avex Inc. has acquired 85% of Brandon Silverstein's S10 Entertainment from Silverstein and his partners, further integrating the company into Avex Music Group. Silverstein continues as CEO of S10 and Avex Music Group and remains a board member and equity partner in Avex Music Group. The parties did not disclose terms. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP represented Silverstein.

The deal follows Avex's March 2025 acquisition of the S10 Music Publishing catalog, which includes shares of hits by Justin Bieber, Drake, Tate McRae, Kehlani, Doja Cat, Post Malone and Rihanna, among others.

"S10 is an exceptional management company that is playing a key role in realizing our global ambitions," said Katsumi Kuroiwa, CEO of Avex Inc. "Bringing S10 into Avex reflects our confidence in Brandon's leadership and our commitment to growing Avex's global music business. Together, we will bring the full breadth of Avex's capabilities to artists and creators around the world."

Warner Music U.K. Names Sonny Takhar Chairman and CEO

Warner Music Group has named Sonny Takhar Chairman and CEO of Warner Music U.K. & Ireland, effective January 2027. Takhar will oversee creative direction, artist development and strategic operations across WMG's recorded music footprint in the U.K. — the world's third-largest music market — and Ireland. His remit also includes operational oversight of WMG's independent distribution arm, ADA, in the U.K. and Ireland.

Takhar will report to Val Blavatnik, Managing Director of Warner Music North America, U.K. & Corporate Development, and work in close partnership with Elliot Grainge, CEO and Chairman of Atlantic Music Group and Chairman of ADA in the U.S., and Aaron Bay-Schuck, Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group.

A founding partner of Syco Entertainment, Takhar played a key role in the careers of One Direction, Labrinth, Leona Lewis, Little Mix, James Arthur and Fifth Harmony, alongside the launch of the global TV franchises "The X Factor" and "Got Talent." More recently, he co-founded Los Angeles-based KYN Entertainment in a joint venture with Live Nation and worked with Westlife and songwriter-producer Steve Mac.

"Sonny is one of the most visionary executives in music and his track record of discovering, nurturing, and breaking global superstars speaks for itself," Blavatnik said. "His instinct for talent, deep understanding of the wider music ecosystem and strategic global perspective make him the perfect leader to power Warner Music UK & Ireland forward."

Amra CEO Tomas Ericsson to Step Down After 13 Years

Amra, the global digital collection society, announced that Chief Executive Officer Tomas Ericsson will transition from his role effective January 1, 2027, after 13 years, and become Chairman of the Board. Robin Davies, Amra's Chief Operating Officer for the last four years, will succeed him as CEO on the same date.

Ericsson launched Amra in partnership with Kobalt Music Group in 2013, ultimately licensing digital rights directly across more than 200 territories and 45 publishers, growing into nine figures gross by 2026.

"We are so grateful for Tomas' vision and leadership as he and his team have built amra into one of the industry's most innovative and transformational organizations," said Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt. "We are also looking forward to Tomas continuing to contribute to the business as Chairman. amra will be in good hands with Tomas' ongoing guidance and with Robin, who has been with amra and the Kobalt organization for a decade, at the helm."

Òscar Celma Joins UMG as SVP of Applied AI

Universal Music Group has named Òscar Celma Senior Vice President, Applied AI and Machine Learning, effective immediately. Celma will help lead the development and application of AI and machine learning across UMG's global operations, supporting its labels, divisions and businesses, and will report to Chief Data Officer Hannah Poferl.

At Spotify, Celma helped lead the development of AI-powered personalized listening experiences including AI DJ, Jam and Daylist. He also held roles at Condé Nast, Pandora/SiriusXM and BMAT Music Innovators.

"Òscar brings a unique blend of quantitative and product experience, deep expertise in AI, and a love of music," Poferl said. "He's built teams that have delivered and knows how to turn data at scale into useful insights. With the breadth and depth of UMG's data, there's enormous potential for him to help our teams do more for our artists."

Steve Lamacq Named Curator at Chrysalis and Blue Raincoat

Chrysalis Records, part of the Reservoir group, and its associated management and publishing company Blue Raincoat Music have appointed broadcaster-journalist Steve Lamacq as Curator, New Music & Talent Development. The newly created consultancy role tasks Lamacq with helping both companies identify, champion and nurture the next generation of breakthrough artists, working alongside existing A&R, management and creative teams.

A veteran of the BBC and NME who was appointed an MBE in 2025 for services to broadcasting and music venues, Lamacq draws on more than four decades at the forefront of alternative and independent music culture.

"Steve has an extraordinary ability to spot great artists early," said Jeremy Lascelles, CEO of Chrysalis Records & Blue Raincoat Music. "Time and again he's identified talent long before the wider industry catches on. When I asked him if he fancied working alongside us in this capacity, I was over the proverbial moon when he agreed. It's pretty much a dream scenario for us. Alongside his deep knowledge of music, he has built a level of trust with artists and audiences alike, that makes him uniquely qualified for this curating role."

Also on the Move

Danny Goldberg has promoted Jesse Bauer to Senior Vice-President and Gabriel Barreto to Vice President of Gold Village Entertainment, the New York artist management company Goldberg launched in 2007. Bauer has been with the company since its inception; Barreto joined in 2021. Gold Village represents Steve Earle, the Waterboys and others.

ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams announced that Jim Selby, President of Global Music Publishing at BMG, has been elected as a publisher member of the ASCAP Board of Directors. Selby, who led BMG's worldwide publishing and played a key role in its recent merger with Concord, will face questions Williams described as ranging "from both the challenges and opportunities of AI to licensees who want to pay songwriters less." With Bush, Takhar, Davies and Celma all starting or shifting roles between November and January 2027, the industry's leadership reshuffle will take full effect over the coming 15 months.