Warner Music has announced a significant restructuring of its leadership team across Australia and Southeast Asia, aimed at enhancing its support for both local and international artists. Unveiled on December 10, 2023, the new executive appointments are designed to create a more effective pathway for artists to reach global audiences while also fostering local talent.
New Leadership Appointments
Among the key changes, Alex Young has been promoted to Vice President of Domestic Artists for Warner Music Australasia. In this crucial role, he will oversee various domestic functions, including A&R, marketing, and creative initiatives, with a focus on nurturing homegrown talent. Meanwhile, Dan Ellis steps up as Vice President of International Artist Strategy for both Warner Music Australasia and Southeast Asia. Ellis will play a pivotal role in enhancing Warner Music’s offerings to its international artists in these regions.
Both Young and Ellis will report directly to Dan Rosen, the President of Warner Music Australasia and Southeast Asia, who emphasized the importance of this restructuring in a statement. The company aims to strengthen its domestic artist pipeline and accelerate the global export of music from the region.
The announcement comes just six weeks after Rosen himself was promoted to oversee Warner Music’s recorded music activities across Southeast Asia, which includes markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Rosen highlighted the dynamic nature of Southeast Asia, noting, “It’s an incredible opportunity. Each country has its own unique culture and music industry, but the common thread is its dynamism and growth.”
Strategic Support for Artists
Supporting Young in his new role is Charlotte Kindred, who has been promoted to Head of Domestic Artist Strategy. She will manage the daily execution of both domestic and export strategies. Additionally, Sarah Thomas has been elevated to Artist Relations & Promotions Manager for Australasia Export, a role that will see her relocating from Sydney to New York to forge new global networks and export opportunities for Australasian artists.
Ellis’s strategy will be bolstered by Lucy Baker, who has been appointed Head of PR, Artist Relations & Wellbeing. Baker will lead public relations and promotional efforts in Australia and New Zealand. Other notable appointments include Jordon Dionatos as International Artist Strategy Lead for Australasia and Lisan Yee as International Artist Strategy Lead for Southeast Asia, operating from Singapore.
The restructuring also introduces a new specialized framework aimed at enhancing digital engagement and fan interactions. Manny Kupelian will serve as Head of Creator Strategy, overseeing the creator and influencer team across the region. Finally, Mat Buck has been promoted to General Manager of Streaming, Social & Community, while Luke Vespa has been appointed Streaming & Partnerships Lead under Buck’s guidance.
Rosen is optimistic about the potential for this new structure to facilitate growth, stating, “There’s an enormous opportunity for both our Australian and New Zealand artists, as well as regional artists from other parts of the APAC.” He believes that Southeast Asia can act as a catalyst for Warner Music Australasia’s mission to elevate local talent on the global stage.
Australia’s music scene is currently thriving, with artists like Amyl and The Sniffers, Dom Dolla, and Ninajirachi gaining international recognition. Warner Music’s domestic roster includes promising talents such as Boy Soda, who recently received his first ARIA Award, and Kita Alexander, who performed at a major industry ceremony.
As Rosen reflects on the current landscape, he expresses excitement about the emergence of a new generation of artists. He notes, “There’s a new generation of artists that are ‘born global’… they understand the global platform world but also recognize the importance of being authentic and great live acts.” With this renewed focus on leadership and strategy, Warner Music is poised to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in the region.
