Warner Music Group reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $1.5 billion, up 7 percent from a year ago, and net income of $96 million, up from $37 million a year ago. While both numbers saw a jump, the company reported earnings per share of 18 cents per share, below Wall Street expectations of 20 cents.
The bottom-line results were driven by a strong operating performance — $12 million in savings from a March 2023 restructuring plan — and the impact of exchange rates on the company’s Euro-denominated debt, which led to a gain of $21 million in the quarter compared to a loss of $20 million in the prior-year quarter.
“Our performance in the quarter was driven by an acceleration in Recorded Music subscription streaming growth and continued momentum in music publishing,” said Bryan Castellani, CFO of Warner Music. “Encouraged by the continued growth in engagement and value of music, we remain focused on delivering on our strategy and driving long-term shareholder value.
The bottom-line results were driven by a strong operating performance — $12 million in savings from a March 2023 restructuring plan — and the impact of exchange rates on the company’s Euro-denominated debt, which led to a gain of $21 million in the quarter compared to a loss of $20 million in the prior-year quarter.
“Our performance in the quarter was driven by an acceleration in Recorded Music subscription streaming growth and continued momentum in music publishing,” said Bryan Castellani, CFO of Warner Music. “Encouraged by the continued growth in engagement and value of music, we remain focused on delivering on our strategy and driving long-term shareholder value.
- 5/9/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
FKA Twigs is developing a deepfake AI version of herself to engage with her fans, the singer revealed on Tuesday.
The musician is set to testify on Capitol Hill later today to encourage heightened regulation of the technology. The artist cited AI as a potentially helpful tool for recording artists to handle marketing and help streamline creative processes, but only when done with their consent and control.
“In the past year, I have developed my own deepfake version of myself that is not only trained in my personality but also...
The musician is set to testify on Capitol Hill later today to encourage heightened regulation of the technology. The artist cited AI as a potentially helpful tool for recording artists to handle marketing and help streamline creative processes, but only when done with their consent and control.
“In the past year, I have developed my own deepfake version of myself that is not only trained in my personality but also...
- 4/30/2024
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Jarret Myer, Rich Antoniello and will.i.am have formed Uproxx Studios, after acquiring Uproxx, HipHopDX, Dime Magazine and other media assets from Warner Music Group.
The studio will also have the exclusive license to represent Warner Music Group’s YouTube inventory of stars for all media sales in the United States. Myer, co-founder of Uproxx Media, will serve as incoming CEO of the studio, while will.i.am will serve as chief visionary officer.
“We’re doubling down on growth,” Myer said. “Expect significant investments in our brands, team, and the experiences we offer – both creators and audiences alike.”
In his position, the company said will.i.am will bring “his star power, Futurism and tech expertise.” The company will also partner with software company Fyi to use AI technology and Fyi radio. Fyi’s AI-powered platform will have its own vertical within Uproxx Studios.
“Innovation is in our DNA,” will.
The studio will also have the exclusive license to represent Warner Music Group’s YouTube inventory of stars for all media sales in the United States. Myer, co-founder of Uproxx Media, will serve as incoming CEO of the studio, while will.i.am will serve as chief visionary officer.
“We’re doubling down on growth,” Myer said. “Expect significant investments in our brands, team, and the experiences we offer – both creators and audiences alike.”
In his position, the company said will.i.am will bring “his star power, Futurism and tech expertise.” The company will also partner with software company Fyi to use AI technology and Fyi radio. Fyi’s AI-powered platform will have its own vertical within Uproxx Studios.
“Innovation is in our DNA,” will.
- 4/24/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group on Thursday confirmed that it has approached French digital music company Believe Sa “to initiate discussions with respect to a potential combination of Believe with Wmg” with a price indication of “at least €17 per share based on currently available public information.”
The French company previously said that its founder and CEO Denis Ladegaillerie had partnered with two investment firms to take the company, whose stock was listed in Paris less than three years ago, private.
Believe’s stock has been trading at around €15.50, giving it a market capitalization of around €1.60 billion, with Wmg’s comments signaling it would offer at least €1.65 billion ($1.80 billion) in an acquisition.
Believe, whose brands include TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naïve, Groove Attack, Play Two and AllPoints, is known for scouting singers and helping them launch their careers online. Warner Music sees an opportunity to integrate Believe into its global business.
In a statement,...
The French company previously said that its founder and CEO Denis Ladegaillerie had partnered with two investment firms to take the company, whose stock was listed in Paris less than three years ago, private.
Believe’s stock has been trading at around €15.50, giving it a market capitalization of around €1.60 billion, with Wmg’s comments signaling it would offer at least €1.65 billion ($1.80 billion) in an acquisition.
Believe, whose brands include TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naïve, Groove Attack, Play Two and AllPoints, is known for scouting singers and helping them launch their careers online. Warner Music sees an opportunity to integrate Believe into its global business.
In a statement,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Four survivor-led advocacy organizations — including those founded by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s wife and filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom — published a letter and report on Wednesday calling for the music business to take further action regarding sexual misconduct across the industry.
The report, titled “Sound Off: The Make Music Safe Report” compiled decades of previously disclosed allegations against over two dozen prominent artists and industry executives such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, Anti-Flag’s Justin Geever, composer Danny Elfman, former Def Jam head Russell Simmons,...
The report, titled “Sound Off: The Make Music Safe Report” compiled decades of previously disclosed allegations against over two dozen prominent artists and industry executives such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, Anti-Flag’s Justin Geever, composer Danny Elfman, former Def Jam head Russell Simmons,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Actress Nora Fatehi, who was recently seen in the Vidyut Jammwal-starrer film ‘Crakk’, has been welcomed by Robert Kyncl, the CEO of the Warner Music Group, after she inked the deal with the global record company. The partnership will promote Nora’s global music career, working with teams in the US and across the world.
Nora is a part of his Mena (Middle East and North Africa) expansion plan.
Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group, said: “Nora is an extraordinary talent, electric performer, and cross-cultural superstar whose music reflects the rich diversity of her background. Her passion and ambition are infectious and we’re excited to help her reach new audiences, places, and heights across the globe.”
Nora will remain signed with T-Series for her Bollywood projects.
The actress, who is based in India, was born in Canada to a family of Moroccan heritage.
She went on to become...
Nora is a part of his Mena (Middle East and North Africa) expansion plan.
Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group, said: “Nora is an extraordinary talent, electric performer, and cross-cultural superstar whose music reflects the rich diversity of her background. Her passion and ambition are infectious and we’re excited to help her reach new audiences, places, and heights across the globe.”
Nora will remain signed with T-Series for her Bollywood projects.
The actress, who is based in India, was born in Canada to a family of Moroccan heritage.
She went on to become...
- 2/28/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl said his company remains happy with their deal with TikTok and he believes the social media platform and Universal Music Group will also come to an agreement.
“I’m always very confident in the deals that we do. We don’t follow other companies. We don’t do carbon copies of other deals, we do our own, which is why we did the one last year,” Kyncl said.
“Our deal was very difficult too, but we got there and, for us, it was fair, but it was a year ago. It was also a different time. So I don’t know what is driving Universal’s positions, but if there’s any way we can help them, we will, all of us, and I’m confident they’ll sort it out,” he continued.
Universal Music Group began pulling its songs from TikTok at the end of January,...
“I’m always very confident in the deals that we do. We don’t follow other companies. We don’t do carbon copies of other deals, we do our own, which is why we did the one last year,” Kyncl said.
“Our deal was very difficult too, but we got there and, for us, it was fair, but it was a year ago. It was also a different time. So I don’t know what is driving Universal’s positions, but if there’s any way we can help them, we will, all of us, and I’m confident they’ll sort it out,” he continued.
Universal Music Group began pulling its songs from TikTok at the end of January,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Global music entertainment company Warner Music Group has announced to lay off 10% of its workforce, or about 600 employees, in order to free up more money for music investment across the next decade.
The majority of affected employees will be at the company’s owned and operated media properties, corporate and various support functions, as well as its in-house ad sales function, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
In a memo to workers, CEO Robert Kyncl stated that the company is also looking into the “potential sale” of Uproxx and HipHopDX, as well as winding down the podcasting brand Interval Presents and social media publisher Imgn.
“As we carry out our plan, it’s important to bear in mind why we’re making these difficult choices. We’re getting on the front foot to create a sustainable competitive advantage over the next decade,” Kyncl said in the memo.
“We’ll do so by...
The majority of affected employees will be at the company’s owned and operated media properties, corporate and various support functions, as well as its in-house ad sales function, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
In a memo to workers, CEO Robert Kyncl stated that the company is also looking into the “potential sale” of Uproxx and HipHopDX, as well as winding down the podcasting brand Interval Presents and social media publisher Imgn.
“As we carry out our plan, it’s important to bear in mind why we’re making these difficult choices. We’re getting on the front foot to create a sustainable competitive advantage over the next decade,” Kyncl said in the memo.
“We’ll do so by...
- 2/8/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Warner Music Group will lay off 10% of its worldwide workforce, about 600 people, CEO Robert Kyncl said in a memo released today.
The company’s artists include Megan Thee Stallion, Beyonce, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Simon, AC/DC, and John Williams, among many others.
In a memo to staff, Kyncl said the majority of the layoffs will come within Wmg’s owned and operated media properties – such as news/entertainment websites Uproxx and HipHopDX, plus the social media publisher Imgn.
Kyncl said Warner is “exiting” from the owned and operated media platforms and will seek buyers for Uproxx and HipHopDX, while Imgn and podcast platform Interval Presents are being shut down.
Warner expects to create annual cost savings in the region of $200 million from the downsizing.
The layoffs come after a 4% global layoff last year at Wmg, which saw 270 leave the company.
The company’s artists include Megan Thee Stallion, Beyonce, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Simon, AC/DC, and John Williams, among many others.
In a memo to staff, Kyncl said the majority of the layoffs will come within Wmg’s owned and operated media properties – such as news/entertainment websites Uproxx and HipHopDX, plus the social media publisher Imgn.
Kyncl said Warner is “exiting” from the owned and operated media platforms and will seek buyers for Uproxx and HipHopDX, while Imgn and podcast platform Interval Presents are being shut down.
Warner expects to create annual cost savings in the region of $200 million from the downsizing.
The layoffs come after a 4% global layoff last year at Wmg, which saw 270 leave the company.
- 2/7/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Music Group plans to lay off about 600 staffers in an effort to free up more money for music investment across the next decade.
The majority of impacted staffers, which represent 10 percent of the company, will be at the company’s owned and operated media properties, corporate and various support functions, as well as its in-house ad sales function. The plan, which will be achieved “through a combination of the disposal or winding down of certain of the Company’s non-core owned and operated media properties,” is expected to result in savings of approximately $200 million by the end of fiscal year 2025.
In a note to employees, CEO Robert Kyncl said the company is also exploring the “potential sale” of Uproxx and HipHopDX and will wind down the podcasting brand Interval Presents and social media publisher Imgn.
The company has already begun notifying employees and most will be notified by the...
The majority of impacted staffers, which represent 10 percent of the company, will be at the company’s owned and operated media properties, corporate and various support functions, as well as its in-house ad sales function. The plan, which will be achieved “through a combination of the disposal or winding down of certain of the Company’s non-core owned and operated media properties,” is expected to result in savings of approximately $200 million by the end of fiscal year 2025.
In a note to employees, CEO Robert Kyncl said the company is also exploring the “potential sale” of Uproxx and HipHopDX and will wind down the podcasting brand Interval Presents and social media publisher Imgn.
The company has already begun notifying employees and most will be notified by the...
- 2/7/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sofia Richie Cradles Her Growing Baby Bump in First Red Carpet Appearance Since Announcing Pregnancy
Sofia Richie made her first red carpet appearance after confirming that she was pregnant, and she was absolutely glowing!
The 25-year-old model announced that she was expecting a her first child – a baby girl – with husband Elliot Grainge last month.
On Thursday night (February 1), she and Elliot stepped out to attend the 2024 Warner Music Group Pre-grammy Party, which was hosted at Citizen News Hollywood in Los Angeles ahead of the Biggest Night in Music this weekend.
Keep reading to find out more…
Sofia looked elegant in monochromatic black. Her outfit featured an off-the-shoulder top that was left partially unbuttoned over her growing baby bump. She carried a black handbag and even painted her nails to match and slicked back her hair into a classic bun.
Elliot complemented her, wearing black but finishing off with a gray shirt. The couple also posed with Robert Kyncl, the CEO of Warner Music Group.
The 25-year-old model announced that she was expecting a her first child – a baby girl – with husband Elliot Grainge last month.
On Thursday night (February 1), she and Elliot stepped out to attend the 2024 Warner Music Group Pre-grammy Party, which was hosted at Citizen News Hollywood in Los Angeles ahead of the Biggest Night in Music this weekend.
Keep reading to find out more…
Sofia looked elegant in monochromatic black. Her outfit featured an off-the-shoulder top that was left partially unbuttoned over her growing baby bump. She carried a black handbag and even painted her nails to match and slicked back her hair into a classic bun.
Elliot complemented her, wearing black but finishing off with a gray shirt. The couple also posed with Robert Kyncl, the CEO of Warner Music Group.
- 2/2/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
YouTube‘s partnerships side is undergoing its first corporate restructuring in a decade–one that’ll see changes to the creator management and operations teams, and will result in around 100 people’s roles being eliminated.
This reorg is following a strategy laid out by Mary Ellen Coe, who took over as YouTube’s chief business officer when Robert Kyncl left in early 2023. Coe previously led Google Customer Solutions, where she oversaw global ads for midmarket and small businesses, and before that spent 12 years with management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.
With the restructure, YouTube will bring its content creator management teams together under dedicated central leadership in each individual country.
People familiar with the matter tell Tubefilter that this change will not result in any creators losing partner manager support, and that in general YouTube will be able to support more creators, since the focus is now on scaling these core,...
This reorg is following a strategy laid out by Mary Ellen Coe, who took over as YouTube’s chief business officer when Robert Kyncl left in early 2023. Coe previously led Google Customer Solutions, where she oversaw global ads for midmarket and small businesses, and before that spent 12 years with management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.
With the restructure, YouTube will bring its content creator management teams together under dedicated central leadership in each individual country.
People familiar with the matter tell Tubefilter that this change will not result in any creators losing partner manager support, and that in general YouTube will be able to support more creators, since the focus is now on scaling these core,...
- 1/17/2024
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
The voice is unmistakable. As the video of a woman wading into the ocean during sunset played, a melodic tune was overlaid: “I woke up, woke up, woke up in a sunshine stattte, that’s livin’ up to me.”
The voice was clearly that of T-Pain, including his signature Auto-Tune eccentricities. The catch? The lyrics — and T-Pain’s singing voice itself — were created by generative artificial intelligence tech called “Dream Track” from YouTube. The AI wrote the song and re-created T-Pain’s voice so that a user could include it as a personal soundtrack to a video. YouTube also has signed John Legend, Demi Lovato and Charlie Puth, among others, for its Dream Track tech.
Facebook and Instagram owner Meta has beta-launched a cast of AI “characters,” all of which share the likenesses of such celebrities as Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg and MrBeast. And tech startups, like the AI-focused firm...
The voice was clearly that of T-Pain, including his signature Auto-Tune eccentricities. The catch? The lyrics — and T-Pain’s singing voice itself — were created by generative artificial intelligence tech called “Dream Track” from YouTube. The AI wrote the song and re-created T-Pain’s voice so that a user could include it as a personal soundtrack to a video. YouTube also has signed John Legend, Demi Lovato and Charlie Puth, among others, for its Dream Track tech.
Facebook and Instagram owner Meta has beta-launched a cast of AI “characters,” all of which share the likenesses of such celebrities as Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg and MrBeast. And tech startups, like the AI-focused firm...
- 11/30/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube announced one of this year’s most significant artificial intelligence developments in the music industry this week when it launched its new experimental AI feature that will allow select users to make song clips featuring AI-generated vocals of superstars including Demi Lovato, Sia and John Legend.
Dream Track officially launched Thursday as an early beta test available only to about 100 selected creators in the U.S., and YouTube has given no indication if or when the new feature would become widely available. YouTube announced several new AI music tools...
Dream Track officially launched Thursday as an early beta test available only to about 100 selected creators in the U.S., and YouTube has given no indication if or when the new feature would become widely available. YouTube announced several new AI music tools...
- 11/17/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Cardi B, saw fourth-quarter revenue and net income rise after music streaming services brought in long-anticipated subscription price hikes.
The major music label saw total revenue for the three months upto Sept. 30 rise 6 percent to $1.58 billion, beating an analyst estimate by $20 million, while net income was up 3 percent to $154 million. The per-share earnings was 29 cents, which beat an analyst estimate by 4 cents.
Wmg overall revenue was up year-on-year to $6.03 billion, the first time the major label’s yearly revenue eclipsed $6 billion.
Quarter recorded music revenue jumped 6 percent to $1.29 billion after Wmg saw music streamers like Apple and Amazon raise subscription prices to allow the major label to renew its streaming contract deals with more upside earnings power for its artists.
“As the music ecosystem is recognizing the value of premium content and emerging markets continue to gain traction,...
The major music label saw total revenue for the three months upto Sept. 30 rise 6 percent to $1.58 billion, beating an analyst estimate by $20 million, while net income was up 3 percent to $154 million. The per-share earnings was 29 cents, which beat an analyst estimate by 4 cents.
Wmg overall revenue was up year-on-year to $6.03 billion, the first time the major label’s yearly revenue eclipsed $6 billion.
Quarter recorded music revenue jumped 6 percent to $1.29 billion after Wmg saw music streamers like Apple and Amazon raise subscription prices to allow the major label to renew its streaming contract deals with more upside earnings power for its artists.
“As the music ecosystem is recognizing the value of premium content and emerging markets continue to gain traction,...
- 11/16/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube is launching a feature that will give select users the ability to make music with the artificial intelligence-generated vocals of several prominent artists, the company announced late Wednesday.
The experiment, called Dream Track, is a text-based feature that allows users to make a request for a song by describing qualities such as the song’s mood or concept, and the AI will generate the music. As of launch, nine artists — Demi Lovato, Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Charli Xcx, John Legend, Sia, T-Pain, Troye Sivan, and Papoose — are lending their voices for Dream Track,...
The experiment, called Dream Track, is a text-based feature that allows users to make a request for a song by describing qualities such as the song’s mood or concept, and the AI will generate the music. As of launch, nine artists — Demi Lovato, Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Charli Xcx, John Legend, Sia, T-Pain, Troye Sivan, and Papoose — are lending their voices for Dream Track,...
- 11/16/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, honored Lyor Cohen, global head of Music at YouTube and Google, last week at its Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (Mfei) fundraising group’s Spirit of Life Gala.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and LL Cool J perform onstage during City of Hope's 2023 Music, Film & Entertainment Industry Spirit of Life Gala
Credit/Copyright: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for City of Hope
The annual event featured a special performance from LL Cool J and DJ Jazzy Jeff, plus a curated “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live!” segment with – in order of appearance – Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, Mc Serch, Nice ’N Smooth, Epmd, Redman, Onyx, Warren G, Domino, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill, Ja Rule, T.I., Swizz Beatz and Public Enemy.
This year’s Spirit of Life campaign culminated at the sold-out gala held...
DJ Jazzy Jeff and LL Cool J perform onstage during City of Hope's 2023 Music, Film & Entertainment Industry Spirit of Life Gala
Credit/Copyright: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for City of Hope
The annual event featured a special performance from LL Cool J and DJ Jazzy Jeff, plus a curated “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live!” segment with – in order of appearance – Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, Mc Serch, Nice ’N Smooth, Epmd, Redman, Onyx, Warren G, Domino, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill, Ja Rule, T.I., Swizz Beatz and Public Enemy.
This year’s Spirit of Life campaign culminated at the sold-out gala held...
- 10/26/2023
- Look to the Stars
YouTube is currently in negotiations with record labels to launch a new AI tool that will allow creators to make videos using vocals from popular musicians, according to Billboard.
The trade publication reports that YouTube had hoped to introduce a beta of the tool with a small selection of artists to a “select group” of creators during its Made On YouTube event in September, but coming to licensing agreements with the major labels — Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group — delayed those plans (A wide launch would necessitate new agreements).
In addition, it has apparently been “challenging” to find big names to participate in the AI tool, with artists concerned about how creators could use their voices to deliver messages or sing lyrics that they don’t approve of.
Per Billboard’s sources, the labels view this deal with YouTube as a vital “framework” for the use of AI,...
The trade publication reports that YouTube had hoped to introduce a beta of the tool with a small selection of artists to a “select group” of creators during its Made On YouTube event in September, but coming to licensing agreements with the major labels — Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group — delayed those plans (A wide launch would necessitate new agreements).
In addition, it has apparently been “challenging” to find big names to participate in the AI tool, with artists concerned about how creators could use their voices to deliver messages or sing lyrics that they don’t approve of.
Per Billboard’s sources, the labels view this deal with YouTube as a vital “framework” for the use of AI,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Jimmy Iovine, the co-founder of Interscope Records and Beats by Dr. Dre, is sharing his thoughts on the music industry today and how he now feels “fame has replaced great.”
During an interview with Consequence of Sound, published online Monday, the storied music executive and business mogul was asked about his thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence in songwriting and music production. AI has recently been at the center of debate across several industries, including entertainment.
“I’m not saying it’s good or bad, but I think AI is going to be massive in songwriting on many levels,” he said in response. “One, on a very basic level, if somebody is stuck and you want to experiment and get an idea. Two, is that not everyone, but too many people today are making records for TikTok.”
He continued, “They used to make records for radio, but now it’s TikTok.
During an interview with Consequence of Sound, published online Monday, the storied music executive and business mogul was asked about his thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence in songwriting and music production. AI has recently been at the center of debate across several industries, including entertainment.
“I’m not saying it’s good or bad, but I think AI is going to be massive in songwriting on many levels,” he said in response. “One, on a very basic level, if somebody is stuck and you want to experiment and get an idea. Two, is that not everyone, but too many people today are making records for TikTok.”
He continued, “They used to make records for radio, but now it’s TikTok.
- 10/11/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Warner Music Group looks to drive more revenue from music streaming services and introduce artificial intelligence tools, the major label has tapped former YouTube and Google Play veteran Carletta Higginson as its new executive vp and chief digital officer, effective October 16.
Higginson is set to join Wmg, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, after a decade at Google. While with the tech giant, she worked in business development and legal roles, and was most recently global head of music publishing at YouTube and Google Play.
She replaces Oana Ruxandra, who is stepping down as executive vp business development and chief digital officer at Warner Music Group.
Higginson will report to Wmg CEO Robert Kyncl, who joined the music label in Jan. 2023 after 12 years at YouTube, where he served as chief business officer and oversaw the company’s creative and commercial partnerships.
Kyncl is...
Higginson is set to join Wmg, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, after a decade at Google. While with the tech giant, she worked in business development and legal roles, and was most recently global head of music publishing at YouTube and Google Play.
She replaces Oana Ruxandra, who is stepping down as executive vp business development and chief digital officer at Warner Music Group.
Higginson will report to Wmg CEO Robert Kyncl, who joined the music label in Jan. 2023 after 12 years at YouTube, where he served as chief business officer and oversaw the company’s creative and commercial partnerships.
Kyncl is...
- 10/10/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mary Ellen Coe was installed as YouTube’s Chief Business Officer last fall, just as the activity level at the company was beginning to surge even by the breakneck standards of a startup-turned-digital-behemoth.
Since she landed in her new role after a 10-year run at Google and a prior chapter at McKinsey, many major headlines have blared. The company secured NFL Sunday Ticket in a $14 billion, seven-year rights deal that kicked off this month. YouTube TV, now a top-5 U.S. pay-tv operator, got an unexpected boost from Disney’s battle with Charter over carriage on Spectrum TV. YouTube Shorts passed 50 billion daily views less than two years after its global launch. And on the corporate front, a leadership shuffle saw Susan Wojcicki hand the CEO baton to Neal Mohan and Robert Kyncl depart after 12 years and become CEO of Warner Music Group.
During a recent visit to YouTube’s...
Since she landed in her new role after a 10-year run at Google and a prior chapter at McKinsey, many major headlines have blared. The company secured NFL Sunday Ticket in a $14 billion, seven-year rights deal that kicked off this month. YouTube TV, now a top-5 U.S. pay-tv operator, got an unexpected boost from Disney’s battle with Charter over carriage on Spectrum TV. YouTube Shorts passed 50 billion daily views less than two years after its global launch. And on the corporate front, a leadership shuffle saw Susan Wojcicki hand the CEO baton to Neal Mohan and Robert Kyncl depart after 12 years and become CEO of Warner Music Group.
During a recent visit to YouTube’s...
- 9/28/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Charlie Puth had a problem: He’d written a lyric, “a little ditty,” but didn’t know what to do with those lines. The “Left and Right” singer-songwriter had joined a Google AI incubator program, so he fed the new lyrics into the artificial intelligence-assisted tool “like I would do if I were collaborating with anybody else,” Puth said, speaking to a room of journalists and YouTube creators at the tech giant’s New York office Sept. 21. “It was really profound,” Puth recalled of what the system spit back, noting that it sang the lyrics back in his own voice, suggested styles and recommended that it be sung in A-flat minor.
Generative AI is on the cusp of going mainstream. While systems like Dall-e and Gpt may still be used largely by first adopters, companies like YouTube and Meta are preparing to roll out AI-driven tools to the masses. At the same event,...
Generative AI is on the cusp of going mainstream. While systems like Dall-e and Gpt may still be used largely by first adopters, companies like YouTube and Meta are preparing to roll out AI-driven tools to the masses. At the same event,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Alex Weprin and Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube is amping up its efforts in generative artificial intelligence, adding a “Dream Screen” and other AI tools for creators.
The Dream Screen offers a searchable well of AI solutions designed for YouTube’s burgeoning Shorts platform. At the tech company’s annual Made on YouTube event in New York, a live demonstration showed it coming up with mashups like a dragon flying over a photograph of the city or a dog appearing to drive a car, all fantastical short videos derived from entering terms into a custom search engine.
In a Q&a session after the event, executives downplayed the risks of unleashing the technology on a massive population of creators and users. AI more broadly and applications like ChatGPT have prompted concerns about everything from copyright violations to deepfakes. The technology has been a central issue in the ongoing negotiations between studios and streamers and striking members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
The Dream Screen offers a searchable well of AI solutions designed for YouTube’s burgeoning Shorts platform. At the tech company’s annual Made on YouTube event in New York, a live demonstration showed it coming up with mashups like a dragon flying over a photograph of the city or a dog appearing to drive a car, all fantastical short videos derived from entering terms into a custom search engine.
In a Q&a session after the event, executives downplayed the risks of unleashing the technology on a massive population of creators and users. AI more broadly and applications like ChatGPT have prompted concerns about everything from copyright violations to deepfakes. The technology has been a central issue in the ongoing negotiations between studios and streamers and striking members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
- 9/21/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Music Group has unveiled former Disney exec Bryan Castellani as executive vp and chief financial officer.
He will join the music major with Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa in its talent roster Oct. 16 and is set to replace Eric Levin. The longtime CFO will remain with Wmg until the end of 2023 before retiring to ensure a smooth transition.
Castellani worked for over 20 years at The Walt Disney Co., most recently as CFO for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. Based in New York, he will report to Wmg CEO Robert Kyncl during a pivotal time for the music entertainment industry.
“Bryan has wide-ranging experience helping one of the world’s most impactful creative enterprises build long-term value and unlock new global possibilities. A dynamic, operational CFO, he’ll be an excellent addition to our executive leadership team, as we grow the Wmg of the future for the benefit of our artists,...
He will join the music major with Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa in its talent roster Oct. 16 and is set to replace Eric Levin. The longtime CFO will remain with Wmg until the end of 2023 before retiring to ensure a smooth transition.
Castellani worked for over 20 years at The Walt Disney Co., most recently as CFO for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. Based in New York, he will report to Wmg CEO Robert Kyncl during a pivotal time for the music entertainment industry.
“Bryan has wide-ranging experience helping one of the world’s most impactful creative enterprises build long-term value and unlock new global possibilities. A dynamic, operational CFO, he’ll be an excellent addition to our executive leadership team, as we grow the Wmg of the future for the benefit of our artists,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl on Wednesday emphasized the need for music streaming services and their partners to not just “hunt” for subscribers but also “harvest” sub relationships, for example by driving revenue per average user in more mature markets higher. To do so, he told an investor conference that music streaming players should take a playbook from the Netflix playbook.
“Focusing on revenue per user is a very, very important part of what the industry needs to do,” the former YouTube and Netflix top executive said in an appearance at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco, which was webcast. “Taking a page out of Netflix’s playbook is a smart thing for all of us to do. You’ve seen price innovation from $20 to $22 to $20, $19, $18, $17, all the way down to $8, then back to $9, $10. And then from $10 to $7, $15 and $20. So the amount of work and innovation...
“Focusing on revenue per user is a very, very important part of what the industry needs to do,” the former YouTube and Netflix top executive said in an appearance at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco, which was webcast. “Taking a page out of Netflix’s playbook is a smart thing for all of us to do. You’ve seen price innovation from $20 to $22 to $20, $19, $18, $17, all the way down to $8, then back to $9, $10. And then from $10 to $7, $15 and $20. So the amount of work and innovation...
- 9/6/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The era of generative AI has begun, and now, the power players in the music industry are scrambling to catch up, like Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Both music companies have begun discussions with Google about the potential of creating a generative AI tool.
News of the discussions broke on Tuesday, when the Financial Times published a report claiming that “four people familiar with the matter” have confirmed that Google has been in the early stages of developing a new tool aimed at allowing people to create AI-generated music legally and “legitimately.” The talks with Universal and Warner appear to be separate, but Google’s intention appears to be the same: to build a way to support the creativity of generative AI without impeding on the rights of the artists whose work is being utilized to create it.
Specifically, this means that the Wild West days of “deepfake...
News of the discussions broke on Tuesday, when the Financial Times published a report claiming that “four people familiar with the matter” have confirmed that Google has been in the early stages of developing a new tool aimed at allowing people to create AI-generated music legally and “legitimately.” The talks with Universal and Warner appear to be separate, but Google’s intention appears to be the same: to build a way to support the creativity of generative AI without impeding on the rights of the artists whose work is being utilized to create it.
Specifically, this means that the Wild West days of “deepfake...
- 8/9/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
Following Warner Music Group’s latest quarterly earnings report, CEO Robert Kyncl on Tuesday touted the success of the Barbie movie soundtrack and the outlook for continued increases in monthly fees for music subscription services, while addressing the music major’s recent TikTok deal and AI plans.
The former YouTube top executive said that the company’s fiscal fourth quarter, started in July, was “off to a strong start with amazing releases, including Barbie: The Album” and beyond.
“Dua Lipa’s highly anticipated new track Dance The Night, which is currently number one on the official European airplay chart, kicks off the campaign for Barbie: The Album, released on Atlantic Records,” he said during the company’s earnings conference call. “Like the movie itself, the album has been a massive global cultural event, hitting number 1 in seven countries, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Ireland and Portugal.
The former YouTube top executive said that the company’s fiscal fourth quarter, started in July, was “off to a strong start with amazing releases, including Barbie: The Album” and beyond.
“Dua Lipa’s highly anticipated new track Dance The Night, which is currently number one on the official European airplay chart, kicks off the campaign for Barbie: The Album, released on Atlantic Records,” he said during the company’s earnings conference call. “Like the movie itself, the album has been a massive global cultural event, hitting number 1 in seven countries, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Ireland and Portugal.
- 8/8/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, reported higher fiscal third-quarter revenue on Tuesday as CEO Robert Kyncl touted broad-based strength.
The stock of the music major jumped 5 percent to $32.10 in early Tuesday trading.
Revenue for the quarter ending June 30 rose 9 percent, or 10 percent in constant currencies, to $1.56 billion. That was driven by a 7.8 percent gain in recorded music (or 8.6 percent on a constant-currency basis) and a 5.6 percent increase (or 6.8 percent on a constant-currency basis) in digital revenue, including 6.3 percent growth in streaming revenue (or 7.3 percent on a constant-currency basis).
Music publishing revenue jumped 15.5 percent (or 16.0 percent on a constant-currency basis), driven by gains in digital and mechanical revenue.
Wmg’s quarterly net income of $124 million was virtually unchanged from $125 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (Oibda), another profitability metric, jumped 16 percent, or 18 percent in constant currency terms,...
The stock of the music major jumped 5 percent to $32.10 in early Tuesday trading.
Revenue for the quarter ending June 30 rose 9 percent, or 10 percent in constant currencies, to $1.56 billion. That was driven by a 7.8 percent gain in recorded music (or 8.6 percent on a constant-currency basis) and a 5.6 percent increase (or 6.8 percent on a constant-currency basis) in digital revenue, including 6.3 percent growth in streaming revenue (or 7.3 percent on a constant-currency basis).
Music publishing revenue jumped 15.5 percent (or 16.0 percent on a constant-currency basis), driven by gains in digital and mechanical revenue.
Wmg’s quarterly net income of $124 million was virtually unchanged from $125 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (Oibda), another profitability metric, jumped 16 percent, or 18 percent in constant currency terms,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group, which has top artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa in its stable, has unveiled a multiyear licensing deal with TikTok to boost its social media platforms revenues.
The world’s biggest record company has already seen digital music revenues grow from TikTok and its shortform viral dance videos. And emerging music artists increasingly break out on social media platforms before being signed by the major music labels like Wmg, while other platforms like Facebook and Instagram are increasingly using music as content, offering additional revenues.
Warner Music’s newly signed multiproduct deal with the rapidly growing video platform will license the repertoire of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut, and TikTok’s commercial music library to cement a partnership and collaboration between the two companies.
“We are happy and excited for our next chapter together with TikTok. Through this expanded...
The world’s biggest record company has already seen digital music revenues grow from TikTok and its shortform viral dance videos. And emerging music artists increasingly break out on social media platforms before being signed by the major music labels like Wmg, while other platforms like Facebook and Instagram are increasingly using music as content, offering additional revenues.
Warner Music’s newly signed multiproduct deal with the rapidly growing video platform will license the repertoire of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut, and TikTok’s commercial music library to cement a partnership and collaboration between the two companies.
“We are happy and excited for our next chapter together with TikTok. Through this expanded...
- 7/18/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal Music Group — the music label behind Sting, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande — has decided to embrace artificial intelligence, rather than only fight the new technology.
Umg has signed a deal with sound wellness company Endel to enable its roster of artists to use proprietary AI technology to create mood music soundscapes for daily activities like sleep and relaxation. The partnership will aim to respect creators’ rights as Umg gets set to roll out the first wave of soundscapes under the new agreement.
Endel earlier worked with Republic Records’ artist James Blake, who released the ambient Wind Down soundscape as an album in May 2022.
“At Umg, we believe in the incredible potential of ethical AI as a tool to support and enhance the creativity of our artists, labels and songwriters, something that Endel has harnessed with impressive ingenuity and scientific innovation,” Michael Nash, Umg’s executive vp and chief digital officer,...
Umg has signed a deal with sound wellness company Endel to enable its roster of artists to use proprietary AI technology to create mood music soundscapes for daily activities like sleep and relaxation. The partnership will aim to respect creators’ rights as Umg gets set to roll out the first wave of soundscapes under the new agreement.
Endel earlier worked with Republic Records’ artist James Blake, who released the ambient Wind Down soundscape as an album in May 2022.
“At Umg, we believe in the incredible potential of ethical AI as a tool to support and enhance the creativity of our artists, labels and songwriters, something that Endel has harnessed with impressive ingenuity and scientific innovation,” Michael Nash, Umg’s executive vp and chief digital officer,...
- 5/23/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, posted higher second-quarter revenues, even as net income fell amid “macroeconomic, currency and release slate headwinds,” the music label reported on Tuesday.
Overall revenue rose 2 percent to $1.39 billion, while net income fell 60 percent to $37 million, against $92 million in the prior-year quarter, due in part to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates on debt repayments.
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, in remarks to analysts during a morning call, said music publishing had shown continued momentum, but recorded music revenue fell short of expectations. “We underperformed in recorded music. There’s plenty of room for improvement. And we’re addressing both company-specific and industry-wide issues,” Kyncl said.
Music revenue was undercut during the latest quarter by a lighter release schedule, exchange rate adjustments and lower ad revenue impacting the industry.
Kyncl touted tech initiatives at Warner Music,...
Overall revenue rose 2 percent to $1.39 billion, while net income fell 60 percent to $37 million, against $92 million in the prior-year quarter, due in part to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates on debt repayments.
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, in remarks to analysts during a morning call, said music publishing had shown continued momentum, but recorded music revenue fell short of expectations. “We underperformed in recorded music. There’s plenty of room for improvement. And we’re addressing both company-specific and industry-wide issues,” Kyncl said.
Music revenue was undercut during the latest quarter by a lighter release schedule, exchange rate adjustments and lower ad revenue impacting the industry.
Kyncl touted tech initiatives at Warner Music,...
- 5/9/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, is set to lay off 270 employees, or around 4 percent of its global workforce.
On Wednesday, newly-installed CEO Robert Kyncl told staff via an internal memo that “we’re reallocating resources towards new skills for artist and songwriter development and new tech initiatives.” About 6,200 employees worked at Warner Music as of last September, per its annual report.
The former YouTube chief business officer, who replaced Stephen Cooper as head of the music label on Jan. 1, is focusing on technology after his experience at the Google social media platform in building business relationships with online creators and ensuring the video and music platform was a top platform for creator monetization.
“In my discussions with our leaders across the company, many of them came to the same conclusion – that to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us,...
On Wednesday, newly-installed CEO Robert Kyncl told staff via an internal memo that “we’re reallocating resources towards new skills for artist and songwriter development and new tech initiatives.” About 6,200 employees worked at Warner Music as of last September, per its annual report.
The former YouTube chief business officer, who replaced Stephen Cooper as head of the music label on Jan. 1, is focusing on technology after his experience at the Google social media platform in building business relationships with online creators and ensuring the video and music platform was a top platform for creator monetization.
“In my discussions with our leaders across the company, many of them came to the same conclusion – that to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki is stepping down from her role after nine years leading the Google-owned company, the executive said on Thursday.
In a message to staff, Wojcicki said she was leaving to “start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about.” She will be succeeded by Neal Mohan, most recently YouTube’s chief product officer and Wojcicki’s close lieutenant, who will take on the title of svp and head of YouTube.
Wojcicki was the 16th employee at Google, joining the company co-founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1999 to build out its ad business and analytics products. Google went on to acquire YouTube in 2006 and Wojcicki took on the CEO position at the video platform in 2014.
During her tenure, YouTube has grown to be a major business for Google and one of the leading platforms for digital creators to...
In a message to staff, Wojcicki said she was leaving to “start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about.” She will be succeeded by Neal Mohan, most recently YouTube’s chief product officer and Wojcicki’s close lieutenant, who will take on the title of svp and head of YouTube.
Wojcicki was the 16th employee at Google, joining the company co-founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1999 to build out its ad business and analytics products. Google went on to acquire YouTube in 2006 and Wojcicki took on the CEO position at the video platform in 2014.
During her tenure, YouTube has grown to be a major business for Google and one of the leading platforms for digital creators to...
- 2/16/2023
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, reported lower fiscal first-quarter revenue and earningsThursday as new CEO Robert Kyncl set his sights on “the next phase of our evolution,” while also highlighting “a challenging business environment.”
The latest quarter was hit by timing factors as the comparable year-ago period included an additional week, as well as foreign currency impacts.
Revenue for the quarter ending Dec. 31 fell 8 percent, or 3 percent in constant currencies, to 1.49 billion. That was driven by an 11 percent drop in recorded music (or 6 percent on a constant-currency basis) and a 5 percent decline (or 1 percent on a constant-currency basis) in digital revenue, including a 4 percent drop in streaming revenue. Though Wmg noted that was “underlying growth in total streaming revenue despite a challenged macroeconomic environment.” Music publishing revenue rose 9 percent (or 14 percent on a constant-currency basis).
Wmg’s quarterly net income...
The latest quarter was hit by timing factors as the comparable year-ago period included an additional week, as well as foreign currency impacts.
Revenue for the quarter ending Dec. 31 fell 8 percent, or 3 percent in constant currencies, to 1.49 billion. That was driven by an 11 percent drop in recorded music (or 6 percent on a constant-currency basis) and a 5 percent decline (or 1 percent on a constant-currency basis) in digital revenue, including a 4 percent drop in streaming revenue. Though Wmg noted that was “underlying growth in total streaming revenue despite a challenged macroeconomic environment.” Music publishing revenue rose 9 percent (or 14 percent on a constant-currency basis).
Wmg’s quarterly net income...
- 2/9/2023
- by Georg Szalai and Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube, a day after formally launching its revenue-sharing program for YouTube Shorts creators, reported 7.96 billion in advertising revenue to close out the holiday season, falling short of Wall Street expectations of ad revenue crossing the 8 billion mark.
The video giant’s fourth-quarter ad revenue is almost an 8 percent decline from the previous year, when YouTube ended 2021 with 8.63 billion in quarterly ad revenue. The slowdown is a marked change for the Google-owned video giant, which had a strong 2021 that saw YouTube surpassing its ad revenue earnings by 1 billion at one point. But since then, YouTube has seen a decline in its ad revenue due to a slowing ad market that has impacted most major tech companies. Under parent company Alphabet, Google advertising also dropped to about 59 billion during the fourth quarter, down from the 61.2 billion seen at the end of 2021.
In a statement announcing the results, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai...
The video giant’s fourth-quarter ad revenue is almost an 8 percent decline from the previous year, when YouTube ended 2021 with 8.63 billion in quarterly ad revenue. The slowdown is a marked change for the Google-owned video giant, which had a strong 2021 that saw YouTube surpassing its ad revenue earnings by 1 billion at one point. But since then, YouTube has seen a decline in its ad revenue due to a slowing ad market that has impacted most major tech companies. Under parent company Alphabet, Google advertising also dropped to about 59 billion during the fourth quarter, down from the 61.2 billion seen at the end of 2021.
In a statement announcing the results, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai...
- 2/2/2023
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, reported higher fiscal fourth-quarter revenue and net income Tuesday, with its music publishing unit growing revenue 23.9 percent.
The music major said that top sellers in its recorded music unit in the latest period included Sheeran, Jack Harlow, Dua Lipa and Lizzo.
Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue rose 8.8 percent, or 16.0 percent in constant currency terms, to 1.50 billion, driven by the music publishing gain and digital revenue growth of 6.8 percent, or 12.3 percent in constant currency, across recorded music and music publishing.
Net income for the latest quarter ending in September amounted to 150 million, compared with 30 million recorded in the year-ago period, the company said before the stock market opened. Adjusted net income rose from 69 million to 170 million. Quarterly operating income jumped 63 percent from 100 million to 163 million.
Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper,...
Warner Music Group, home to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Bruno Mars, reported higher fiscal fourth-quarter revenue and net income Tuesday, with its music publishing unit growing revenue 23.9 percent.
The music major said that top sellers in its recorded music unit in the latest period included Sheeran, Jack Harlow, Dua Lipa and Lizzo.
Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue rose 8.8 percent, or 16.0 percent in constant currency terms, to 1.50 billion, driven by the music publishing gain and digital revenue growth of 6.8 percent, or 12.3 percent in constant currency, across recorded music and music publishing.
Net income for the latest quarter ending in September amounted to 150 million, compared with 30 million recorded in the year-ago period, the company said before the stock market opened. Adjusted net income rose from 69 million to 170 million. Quarterly operating income jumped 63 percent from 100 million to 163 million.
Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Georg Szalai and Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After Robert Kyncl officially steps down as YouTube’s Chief Business Officer, he will dive right back into the entertainment business with a glamorous new title. Kyncl, who spent 12 years at YouTube and seven years at Netflix before that, will take over as the CEO of Warner Music Group, replacing outgoing chief Stephen Cooper.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced in August that Kyncl would abdicate his Cbo title in 2023 in order to “start the next chapter in his career.” At the time, neither Wojcicki nor Kyncl indicated where the Czech-born businessman would head next, but it didn’t take long before major businesses began bidding for his services. On September 18 — three weeks after Kyncl’s career move was announced — Bloomberg indicated that Warner Music was courting the longtime YouTube operative.
Kyncl’s move to Warner Music is now official. In a statement, the label’s board of directors described the...
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced in August that Kyncl would abdicate his Cbo title in 2023 in order to “start the next chapter in his career.” At the time, neither Wojcicki nor Kyncl indicated where the Czech-born businessman would head next, but it didn’t take long before major businesses began bidding for his services. On September 18 — three weeks after Kyncl’s career move was announced — Bloomberg indicated that Warner Music was courting the longtime YouTube operative.
Kyncl’s move to Warner Music is now official. In a statement, the label’s board of directors described the...
- 9/22/2022
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Robert Kyncl, a 12-year veteran of YouTube’s senior executive team, will become CEO of Warner Music Group on January 1.
Kyncl, who is currently chief business officer at YouTube, will become Co-CEO of Wmg along with current Wmg CEO Steve Cooper for the month of January 2023. As of February 1, 2023, Kyncl will become sole CEO and assume Cooper’s seat on Wmg’s board of directors.
Since 2010, Kyncl has been a key member of YouTube’s management team, steering the Google-owned video platform’s dramatic global expansion. He helped lead the launch of paid subscription services YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. Music has always been an important pillar for YouTube, which meant Kyncl was often working with many of the artists and label execs who will now be in his orbit at Wmg. Before YouTube, Kyncl spent seven years at Netflix and had an early-career stint at HBO International.
Kyncl, who is currently chief business officer at YouTube, will become Co-CEO of Wmg along with current Wmg CEO Steve Cooper for the month of January 2023. As of February 1, 2023, Kyncl will become sole CEO and assume Cooper’s seat on Wmg’s board of directors.
Since 2010, Kyncl has been a key member of YouTube’s management team, steering the Google-owned video platform’s dramatic global expansion. He helped lead the launch of paid subscription services YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. Music has always been an important pillar for YouTube, which meant Kyncl was often working with many of the artists and label execs who will now be in his orbit at Wmg. Before YouTube, Kyncl spent seven years at Netflix and had an early-career stint at HBO International.
- 9/21/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Music Group has found its next CEO.
The label says that Robert Kyncl will succeed Stephen Cooper on Jan. 1 of next year.
Kyncl knows Warner Music well, having spent years as the chief business officer of YouTube, one of the label’s biggest partners. Kyncl announced his intention to step down from YouTube last month.
Warner Music had previously said in June that Cooper would step aside when his replacement was found. The company says that Cooper will work as co-ceo with Kyncl in January to ensure a smooth transition, before leaving the company in February.
Music labels like Warner Music have dramatically transformed themselves in recent years by forging partnerships with major digital platforms like Spotify, TikTok and, yes, YouTube. Advertising and subscription revenue helped Warner Music se its revenue increased nearly 15 percent in the past year, as consumers flocked to digital platforms.
Warner Music Group has found its next CEO.
The label says that Robert Kyncl will succeed Stephen Cooper on Jan. 1 of next year.
Kyncl knows Warner Music well, having spent years as the chief business officer of YouTube, one of the label’s biggest partners. Kyncl announced his intention to step down from YouTube last month.
Warner Music had previously said in June that Cooper would step aside when his replacement was found. The company says that Cooper will work as co-ceo with Kyncl in January to ensure a smooth transition, before leaving the company in February.
Music labels like Warner Music have dramatically transformed themselves in recent years by forging partnerships with major digital platforms like Spotify, TikTok and, yes, YouTube. Advertising and subscription revenue helped Warner Music se its revenue increased nearly 15 percent in the past year, as consumers flocked to digital platforms.
- 9/21/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl is leaving the company.
He’ll exit in early 2023, according to a staff memo sent today by CEO Susan Wojcicki. The memo was first obtained by Variety.
Kyncl joined YouTube in 2010, and as Cbo has overseen everything from content (including YouTube’s ultimately ill-fated Originals push) to sales, marketing, and growth strategy.
“Under his leadership, YouTube forged new relationships and partnerships in music, traditional media and tech, and our creator ecosystem – without him, the term ‘YouTuber’ wouldn’t be a mainstream term,” Wojcicki wrote.
She added, “Thanks to Robert and his leadership team, we are meaningfully contributing to the media industry, having paid more than 30B to creators, artists and media companies in the last 3 years. We owe so much of our growth and impact to Robert’s leadership, and I want to celebrate his amazing contribution to YouTube.”
When Kyncl leaves next year,...
He’ll exit in early 2023, according to a staff memo sent today by CEO Susan Wojcicki. The memo was first obtained by Variety.
Kyncl joined YouTube in 2010, and as Cbo has overseen everything from content (including YouTube’s ultimately ill-fated Originals push) to sales, marketing, and growth strategy.
“Under his leadership, YouTube forged new relationships and partnerships in music, traditional media and tech, and our creator ecosystem – without him, the term ‘YouTuber’ wouldn’t be a mainstream term,” Wojcicki wrote.
She added, “Thanks to Robert and his leadership team, we are meaningfully contributing to the media industry, having paid more than 30B to creators, artists and media companies in the last 3 years. We owe so much of our growth and impact to Robert’s leadership, and I want to celebrate his amazing contribution to YouTube.”
When Kyncl leaves next year,...
- 8/29/2022
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Click here to read the full article.
YouTube’s chief business officer, Robert Kyncl, is stepping down in October, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday.
Kyncl will be succeeded by Mary Ellen Coe, currently the president of global customer solutions at Google, on Oct. 3.
“After 12 incredible years, I’ve decided to move on to the next challenge soon. Working alongside creators, artists, media and music companies to transform media has been a privilege,” Kyncl tweeted on Monday.
At YouTube, Kyncl helped lead the launch of the company’s paid subscription offering, YouTube Premium, as well as the company’s entry into original scripted and unscripted content, called YouTube Originals. Though the original programming effort, then overseen by TV veteran Susanne Daniels, resulted in hit shows like Cobra Kai, Kyncl said earlier this year that YouTube would significantly pull back its original programming and only fund projects...
YouTube’s chief business officer, Robert Kyncl, is stepping down in October, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday.
Kyncl will be succeeded by Mary Ellen Coe, currently the president of global customer solutions at Google, on Oct. 3.
“After 12 incredible years, I’ve decided to move on to the next challenge soon. Working alongside creators, artists, media and music companies to transform media has been a privilege,” Kyncl tweeted on Monday.
At YouTube, Kyncl helped lead the launch of the company’s paid subscription offering, YouTube Premium, as well as the company’s entry into original scripted and unscripted content, called YouTube Originals. Though the original programming effort, then overseen by TV veteran Susanne Daniels, resulted in hit shows like Cobra Kai, Kyncl said earlier this year that YouTube would significantly pull back its original programming and only fund projects...
- 8/29/2022
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Susanne Daniels, the founding global head of YouTube Originals who has been with the company since 2016, is departing, effective March 1.
In a memo shared to Twitter, YouTube's chief business officer Robert Kyncl said that amid “rapid growth,” the company was redirecting original programming investment into other opportunities, such as the Creator Shorts Fund, its Black Voices Fund, and live shopping.
“Together, these factors contributed to our decision to reduce our YouTube Originals slate,” Kyncl wrote. “Going forward, we will only be funding programs that are part of our Black Voices and YouTube Kids Funds.”.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
In a memo shared to Twitter, YouTube's chief business officer Robert Kyncl said that amid “rapid growth,” the company was redirecting original programming investment into other opportunities, such as the Creator Shorts Fund, its Black Voices Fund, and live shopping.
“Together, these factors contributed to our decision to reduce our YouTube Originals slate,” Kyncl wrote. “Going forward, we will only be funding programs that are part of our Black Voices and YouTube Kids Funds.”.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 1/18/2022
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
YouTube is getting out of the business of originals: The Google-owned video giant said it is winding down its original productions team after more than six years.
Earlier, news broke that Susanne Daniels, YouTube’s global head of original content, will leave the company in March. Going forward, YouTube will only be funding programs that are part of its Black Voices and YouTube Kids funds, chief business officer Robert Kyncl announced Tuesday.
Citing the growth of YouTube’s Partner Program for ad-revenue sharing — which now tops 2 million participants — Kyncl said “now our investments can make a greater impact on even more creators when applied towards other initiatives.”
“We will honor our commitment for already contracted shows in progress and creators who are involved with those shows should expect to hear from us directly in the coming days,” Kyncl wrote in the message posted to Twitter.
When it first started out in originals,...
Earlier, news broke that Susanne Daniels, YouTube’s global head of original content, will leave the company in March. Going forward, YouTube will only be funding programs that are part of its Black Voices and YouTube Kids funds, chief business officer Robert Kyncl announced Tuesday.
Citing the growth of YouTube’s Partner Program for ad-revenue sharing — which now tops 2 million participants — Kyncl said “now our investments can make a greater impact on even more creators when applied towards other initiatives.”
“We will honor our commitment for already contracted shows in progress and creators who are involved with those shows should expect to hear from us directly in the coming days,” Kyncl wrote in the message posted to Twitter.
When it first started out in originals,...
- 1/18/2022
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube’s return to its roots as a platform for user-generated content is complete. Following the news that YouTube Global Head of Original Content Susanne Daniels has resigned after more than six years, YouTube Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl just announced the streamer’s retreat from original programming to focus on creator-driven initiatives such as Creator Shorts Fund, Black Voices Fund, and Live Shopping programming.
Daniels, an accomplished veteran TV executive, joined YouTube Originals in 2015 when the video-sharing giant signaled its entry into the premium SVOD space with high-end original scripted programming. Launched in 2016, YouTube’s premium tier introduced such series as Cobra Kai and Step Up before the Google-owned streamer in 2018 pivoted away from scripted and SVOD to focus on unscripted content under its core AVOD model, with Daniels shepherding the transition.
“Susanne and her team created an international slate of award-winning programs collectively amassing billions of views,...
Daniels, an accomplished veteran TV executive, joined YouTube Originals in 2015 when the video-sharing giant signaled its entry into the premium SVOD space with high-end original scripted programming. Launched in 2016, YouTube’s premium tier introduced such series as Cobra Kai and Step Up before the Google-owned streamer in 2018 pivoted away from scripted and SVOD to focus on unscripted content under its core AVOD model, with Daniels shepherding the transition.
“Susanne and her team created an international slate of award-winning programs collectively amassing billions of views,...
- 1/18/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Susanne Daniels is exiting YouTube after nearly seven years at the Google-owned global video-sharing company. The YouTube global head of original content will depart in March.
The veteran exec, whose career has included president roles at The WB, Lifetime and MTV, helped oversee YouTube’s dive into originals in 2015, developing premium series “Cobra Kai,” which early on was a key player for the YouTube Red service (later rebranded as YouTube Premium).
“YouTube’s the biggest and best video platform in the world and what an exciting and tremendous experience I’ve had working to create meaningful programming for global users of all ages and backgrounds,” Daniels said. “I’m so proud that our Yto content could contribute to the ongoing growth and success of this remarkable platform, and I look forward to new adventures ahead.”
YouTube moved away from scripted and subscription-based original content in 2018, and eventually its scripted...
The veteran exec, whose career has included president roles at The WB, Lifetime and MTV, helped oversee YouTube’s dive into originals in 2015, developing premium series “Cobra Kai,” which early on was a key player for the YouTube Red service (later rebranded as YouTube Premium).
“YouTube’s the biggest and best video platform in the world and what an exciting and tremendous experience I’ve had working to create meaningful programming for global users of all ages and backgrounds,” Daniels said. “I’m so proud that our Yto content could contribute to the ongoing growth and success of this remarkable platform, and I look forward to new adventures ahead.”
YouTube moved away from scripted and subscription-based original content in 2018, and eventually its scripted...
- 1/18/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube Global Head of Original Content Susanne Daniels has resigned after over six years, during which she built the original content division of the company. YouTube Originals is coming off Q4 2021 as its most-watched quarter ever with 1.3 billion views.
Daniels, a respected veteran TV executive, joined YouTube Originals in 2015 when the video-sharing giant had announced the launch of a premium subscription tier with high-end original scripted programming. She developed and launched such series as Cobra Kai, which set YouTube viewership records before moving to Netflix and earning Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, Step-Up (now on Starz), On Becoming A God In Central Florida (moved to Showtime) Wayne (available on Prime Video) and Impulse from Doug Liman.
In 2018, the Google-owned streamer pivoted away from scripted and SVOD to focus to their core unscripted content under the existing AVOD model. Daniels, who had started her career in unscripted at NBC decades ago,...
Daniels, a respected veteran TV executive, joined YouTube Originals in 2015 when the video-sharing giant had announced the launch of a premium subscription tier with high-end original scripted programming. She developed and launched such series as Cobra Kai, which set YouTube viewership records before moving to Netflix and earning Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, Step-Up (now on Starz), On Becoming A God In Central Florida (moved to Showtime) Wayne (available on Prime Video) and Impulse from Doug Liman.
In 2018, the Google-owned streamer pivoted away from scripted and SVOD to focus to their core unscripted content under the existing AVOD model. Daniels, who had started her career in unscripted at NBC decades ago,...
- 1/18/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
YouTube’s chief business officer Robert Kyncl said the company is larger -- and growing faster -- than Netflix in terms of revenues at the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention.
“We are roughly neck-and-neck with Netflix on revenue, actually we are slightly larger and growing faster,” Kyncl said at the conference, whose theme was Reshaping Britishness On The Global Stage, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The Reporter notes that YouTube clocked $7 billion in ad revenues in the second quarter of 2021, compared to Netflix’s $7.3 billion. That said, YouTube’s tally doesn’t include subscription revenues from YouTube Music and YouTube Premium, which would presumably push it over the edge. YouTube’s revenues grew 83% over the same quarter last year, while Netflix grew 19%.
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“We are roughly neck-and-neck with Netflix on revenue, actually we are slightly larger and growing faster,” Kyncl said at the conference, whose theme was Reshaping Britishness On The Global Stage, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The Reporter notes that YouTube clocked $7 billion in ad revenues in the second quarter of 2021, compared to Netflix’s $7.3 billion. That said, YouTube’s tally doesn’t include subscription revenues from YouTube Music and YouTube Premium, which would presumably push it over the edge. YouTube’s revenues grew 83% over the same quarter last year, while Netflix grew 19%.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 9/15/2021
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Don’t ignore YouTube when looking at streaming video success stories, such as Netflix, a top executive of the Alphabet-owned giant told a media and entertainment industry conference in Cambridge, England on Wednesday.
Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s chief business officer, shared some data and stats about the video streamer during the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention, saying it has become a diversified platform after starting with “grainy home videos” and the like. “Now, media companies present about 25 percent of YouTube watch time globally, another 25 percent is music, and 50 percent is YouTube creators,” he explained.
Addressing ...
Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s chief business officer, shared some data and stats about the video streamer during the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention, saying it has become a diversified platform after starting with “grainy home videos” and the like. “Now, media companies present about 25 percent of YouTube watch time globally, another 25 percent is music, and 50 percent is YouTube creators,” he explained.
Addressing ...
- 9/15/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Don’t ignore YouTube when looking at streaming video success stories, such as Netflix, a top executive of the Alphabet-owned giant told a media and entertainment industry conference in Cambridge, England on Wednesday.
Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s chief business officer, shared some data and stats about the video streamer during the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention, saying it has become a diversified platform after starting with “grainy home videos” and the like. “Now, media companies present about 25 percent of YouTube watch time globally, another 25 percent is music, and 50 percent is YouTube creators,” he explained.
Addressing ...
Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s chief business officer, shared some data and stats about the video streamer during the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention, saying it has become a diversified platform after starting with “grainy home videos” and the like. “Now, media companies present about 25 percent of YouTube watch time globally, another 25 percent is music, and 50 percent is YouTube creators,” he explained.
Addressing ...
- 9/15/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Despite the persistent drone of naysayers, digital creators showed out in full force to last night’s Met Gala, playing an increasingly prevalent role in festivities year-over-year.
This year, YouTube hosted five creators at its table, alongside top execs Robert Kyncl (chief business officer) and Derek Blasberg.
They were: daily vlogger Emma Chamberlain, transgender makeup vlogger and entrepreneur NikkieTutorials, beauty vlogger Jackie Aina, Try Guys member Eugene Lee Yang, and creator-slash-actress Addison Rae.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
This year, YouTube hosted five creators at its table, alongside top execs Robert Kyncl (chief business officer) and Derek Blasberg.
They were: daily vlogger Emma Chamberlain, transgender makeup vlogger and entrepreneur NikkieTutorials, beauty vlogger Jackie Aina, Try Guys member Eugene Lee Yang, and creator-slash-actress Addison Rae.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 9/14/2021
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
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