NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — On Monday, music publishing goliath Warner Chappell Music announced the appointment of Shani Gonzales as Head of International, Executive Vice President of U.S., A&R.
Based in New York, Gonzales will oversee collaboration between the company’s global A&R operation, with a focus on helping songwriters cross over into new markets and landing new artists.
She will also partner with Ryan Press, WCM President, A&R, U.S., and his team to bring new songwriters into the WCM fold. In addition, she will handle A&R for Atlantic Records, including signing and developing new artists, while overseeing joint efforts between the two WMG-owned companies.
Gonzalez will report to WCM Co-Chair & CEO Guy Moot and her new appointment marks the second time she’s been a Warner employee, after serving on the label’s A&R team from 2004 to 2008.
She comes to her new gig from BMG, where she most recently served as co-head of A&R for the label group in the U.S. and the U.K. Gonzales has been responsible for signing and developing a string of hit songwriters and producers, among them Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled, Bibi Bourelly (Rihanna), Labrinth, Saint JHN, Poo Bear, Nic Nac (Chris Brown, DJ Khaled), WondaGurl (Travis Scott, Rihanna, Drake), Melo-X, Claude Kelly, and Nate Cyphert, who co-wrote Florida Georgia Line’s No. 1, 5X platinum “H.O.L.Y.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to return home to Warner Chappell Music,” said Gonzales. “With Guy and Carianne leading the charge, the vibe is fantastic, and it feels great to be working with such amazing people who share my passion for songwriters and the art of the song. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the WCM family across the globe, as well as with Ryan and his crew in the U.S. I’m also very happy to be joining the Atlantic A&R squad and to have the opportunity to work with Craig Kallman, Julie Greenwald, and their brilliant team.”
