Julie Greenwald has been promoted to the role of Chairman and CEO of a newly-created entity at Warner Music – Atlantic Music Group.
In her new post, the widely respected Greenwald oversees Atlantic Records (including the Atlantic, ATCO, Big Beat, and Canvasback labels) as well as 300 Elektra Entertainment, which encompasses 300, Elektra, Fueled By Ramen, Roadrunner, Low Country Sound, DTA, and Public Consumption.
Greenwald and Craig Kallman will continue to jointly lead Atlantic Records, with Kallman as Chairman and CEO, according to a press release issued by Warner Music Group (WMG) on Wednesday (October 12).
The formation of Atlantic Music Group follows the news in June of the creation of 300 Elektra Entertainment, a consortium of label brands led by Chairman and CEO Kevin Liles.
The creation of 300 Elektra Entertainment followed WMG’s acquisition of New York-headquartered 300 Entertainment, in December 2021, for USD $400 million.
WMG said in a media release today that, since joining Atlantic 18 years ago, Greenwald has built a reputation as “an artist development powerhouse and inspirational mentor”.
Greenwald has played a key role in the careers of a wide range of emerging artists and superstars, including Cardi B, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Cordae, GAYLE, Jack Harlow, Lil Uzi Vert, Lizzo, Charli XCX, NBA YoungBoy, Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars, Ava Max, Janelle Monáe, No Cap, Kodak Black, Panic! at the Disco, Paramore, Charlie Puth, Roddy Ricch, Ed Sheeran, Shinedown, Tiësto, Rob Thomas, Twenty One Pilots, and Wiz Khalifa, among others, as well as award-winning projects such as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Jagged Little Pill.
Julie Greenwald said: “I love nurturing the next generation, contributing to culture, and building vibrant communities for our artists. We have the most fantastic talent at Atlantic, 300, and Elektra, from superstars to baby bands, from expert execs to young people just starting out in the business.
“I want them all to feel that this is the best place to do bold, brave, creative work, and build real careers. I’m so proud to be in it with them, shoulder to shoulder, every day.
“I’d like to thank Craig and Kevin for being my partners, Max and Steve for their leadership, and our allies across the industry who help us bring great music to the world.”
“We have the most fantastic talent at Atlantic, 300, and Elektra, from superstars to baby bands, from expert execs to young people just starting out in the business. I want them all to feel that this is the best place to do bold, brave, creative work, and build real careers.”
Julie Greenwald
Max Lousada, Global CEO of Recorded Music at Warner Music Group, said: “Julie’s a force of nature – a fearless champion of original talent, a mentor to countless artists and executives, and the visionary behind game-changing moves, such as Atlantic’s early embrace of streaming and the spin-off of the Elektra Music Group.
“She’s made artist development an artform in its own right, by combining passion and intelligence, gut sense and strategic thinking, the big picture and the smallest detail. This new role only hints at the full scope of her influence and impact across our industry, but it’s still much deserved recognition of her dynamic leadership at our company.”
Lousada added: “Julie’s strengths, combined with Craig’s extraordinary creative talents, make them one of the outstanding partnerships in the history of music. We’re all extremely fortunate to be working with them as they write the next great chapter in the Atlantic story.”
“Julie’s a force of nature – a fearless champion of original talent, a mentor to countless artists and executives, and the visionary behind game-changing moves, such as Atlantic’s early embrace of streaming and the spin-off of the Elektra Music Group.”
Max Lousada, Warner Music Group
Julie Greenwald, a New York native, began her music career in 1992 at Def Jam Records. Six years later, she was charged with overseeing the entire marketing department of the newly formed Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ).
In 2002, Greenwald was named President of Island Records/EVP of IDJ, becoming one of only three women holding that title at a major record label.
Greenwald joined Atlantic Records as President in 2004, and according to WMG, “quickly became the architect” of the company’s marketing and digital strategies, “revitalizing and remaking Atlantic’s culture for the 21st century”.
In 2009, her accomplishments were recognized with her promotion to Chairman and COO of Atlantic Records.
Greenwald has been selected five times as Billboard’s Women in Music Executive of the Year, more than any other person, and has also been featured as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power 100 Women in Entertainment,” Forbes’ “Power Women to Watch,” and on Newsweek’s “Women in Leadership” roster.
The announcement of Greenwald’s promotion to Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group comes three months before the arrival of Robert Kyncl as Warner Music Group’s new CEO.
Former YouTube exec Kyncl will spend January 2023 as co-CEO of WMG alongside current Warner Chief Executive, Steve Cooper.
On February 1, 2023 Kyncl will become sole CEO of Warner Music Group and will assume Cooper’s seat on WMG’s Board of Directors.Music Business Worldwide
