Warner Music Group Promotes Val Blavatnik to Managing Director

Warner Music Group has named Val Blavatnik, 28, Managing Director of North America, U.K. & Corporate Development — the most prominent move in a sweeping reshuffle of the company's top leadership announced this week.

Blavatnik is the son of Len Blavatnik, Warner Music's primary owner. According to the announcement, he will "unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company's investment strategy to support growth."

The promotion caps a rapid rise. Blavatnik recently served as Special Advisor to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl and to Len Blavatnik's Access Technology Ventures while completing his MBA at Harvard Business School. He joined WMG's board in 2023. Before that, he was Senior Director, Business Development at Warner Chappell Music, the company's global publishing arm, and spent 2021 to 2023 on the investment team at LionTree, focused on media and technology. His earlier career included a stint as a production executive at Eden Productions, the TV and film company founded by Richard Plepler.

The reshuffle extends well beyond one appointment. Alejandro Duque moves up to President of Warner Music International, adding the APAC and EMEA regions to his responsibilities. Elliot Grainge, already Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group, adds the chairmanship of the independent distribution company ADA in the U.S. He has appointed longtime associate Zach Friedman as ADA's Vice Chairman; Friedman keeps his role as COO of Atlantic Music Group.

Aaron Bay-Schuck becomes the sole Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group, a direct consequence of Tom Corson's elevation to Chief Operating Officer of Warner Music Group.

Two further changes affect the company's international structure. Guillermo Gonzalez, after six years at Warner Music Iberia, is promoted to President of Warner Music EMEA. Andrés Rothschild takes over as President of Warner Music Iberia.

The changes come with a departure. Simon Robson will step down in December after nearly 30 years with the company to pursue new opportunities. Over his tenure, Robson helped shape WMG's operations across a wide range of markets, promoted new leaders, championed domestic repertoire and encouraged greater international collaboration.

Robert Kyncl framed the moves as the continuation of a strong run. "To build upon our successful year in which we delivered on all three strategic priorities to grow market share, increase the value of music and increase our efficiency, these frontline executive changes enhance our best-in-class leadership team with diverse skill sets to execute on the next chapter of WMG's growth," the CEO said. "Elliot, Aaron, Alejandro and Guillermo are exceptional, dynamic and proven leaders who have transformed their domains, and elevating them allows us to further scale their success. I'm also excited to welcome Val to the executive team, where his operational and strategic focus will help us build our momentum across key markets."

Kyncl also paid tribute to the departing executive: "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Simon Robson for his dedicated service, operational excellence and trusted leadership while expanding WMG's global footprint over his remarkable tenure, and wish him the very best in his next endeavors."

The appointments place a member of the owning family in a senior operational role at a moment when WMG claims it delivered on all three of its stated strategic priorities — market share growth, increased value of music and greater efficiency. Robson's exit in December will test whether the newly configured leadership can sustain that trajectory.