(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Warner Music Group Corp.'s U.S. sales and distribution company has undergone a strategic reorganization intended to better position of the company to seize opportunities presented by an evolving physical and digital music retail environment and to address its growing mandate within WMG.
Over the past several years, WEA Corp.'s role as WMG's retail sales and distribution arm has grown to include the oversight of its leading independent distribution network, successful incubator initiative, groundbreaking digital-only label, the e-Commerce group as well as the global management and distribution of WMG's digital assets.
"It was clear that WEA's expanded mandate required a simplified and more cohesive management structure in order to better coordinate among our various business units and maximize opportunities presented in the rapidly growing digital space," said John Esposito, president and CEO of WEA. "I'm confident these changes will better serve our customers, label partners and their artists, and better situate WEA to fulfill our mission to get the right music in the right place at the right time."
The new WEA structure will encompass four distinct units, each of which will be led by an experienced WEA executive reporting directly to Esposito.
— Operations and Administration: This function will be led by Mike Jbara,
who has been elevated to executive vice president and chief operating
officer. Jbara joined WEA in 1996 and most recently, as senior vice
president, Production and Media Operations, oversaw all operational aspects
of the pre-production, production and distribution of WMG content.
— Sales Analysis, Credit and Finance: This function will be led by Matt
Signore, who has been promoted to chief financial officer (CFO) and general
manager. Signore joined WEA in August 2005 as CFO and was previously CFO
and general manager of Island Def Jam.
— Sales, Marketing and Developing Markets: This function will be led by
Todd Van Gorp, who has been promoted to senior vice president, Sales and
Marketing. Van Gorp joined WEA in 2003 and most recently was WEA's vice
president, Field Sales for the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest regions.
— E-Commerce: E-Commerce continues to be led by Adam Mirabella, senior
vice president, e-Commerce. Mirabella oversees WEA's team of account
managers who coordinate directly with WMG's digital service providers and
wireless carrier partners. Mirabella joined WEA Corp. in 2003 after
positions at Atlantic Records and Coca-Cola.
Asylum and East West, WMG's incubator labels, and Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) will continue to report directly to Esposito. John Madison, executive vice president, Sales and Marketing, has left the company. "John has been a valued member of the WEA team, as well as a longtime friend and trusted advisor," said Esposito. "While we're sad to see him go, I'm happy he'll be joining our mutual friend and former colleague, Jim Caparro at Entertainment Distribution Company (EDC). We wish John the best of luck in his new endeavor." Madison's position will not be filled. There will be no staff reductions as a result of this reorganization.
–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
