Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music at Warner Music Group, wrote a memo to WMG employees as he prepares to leave the company on September 30.
As reported last month, Rusada He resigns after eight successful years in the role and 20 years with WMG.
He will remain as an advisor to WMG until January 31, 2025.
In a memo sent to WMG employees today (September 27) and obtained by MBW, Lousada wrote: “It was the most special experience and the most incredible honor.”
“People who create music that moves people are special. The world needs them. It is a privilege to see, hear, appreciate, and ultimately help those artists achieve success.”
Max Rusada
He added: “From my roots in indie to my 21 years here at Warner, my entire career has been guided by one simple truth. People who can create music that moves people are special.
“The world needs them. It is a privilege to see, hear, appreciate, and ultimately help those artists achieve success.”
Lousada is Warner Music Group’s first dedicated recorded music CEO since Lyor Cohen, who left the major in 2012.
The British executive began his music industry career straight out of college, establishing his own distribution company, In A Silent Way.
In 2000, he became European Managing Director of the influential New York-based hip hop label Rawkus Records, where he worked with artists such as Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kwali and Pharoahe Monch.
In 2002, he joined Mushroom Records as head of A&R, signing ambient dance act Zero 7 and overseeing releases for acts such as Muse, Ash, Garbage and DJ Paul Oakenfold. .
Following the acquisition of Mushroom Records by Warner Music UK in 2003, Lousada became Head of A&R for Atlantic UK, was promoted to President, and was then appointed Chairman in 2009.
Lousada was appointed CEO of Warner Music UK in 2013, stepping down from his role as chairman of Atlantic UK. His roster included Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Plan B, Damien Rice, Birdy and Rudimental.
His term as CEO of Recorded Music began in October 2017.
Elsewhere in the memo to WMG staff, Lousada wrote, “Thank you to all who advocate for artists every day by supporting creativity, telling stories, energizing fandom, and taking it global, and to the unsung heroes who protect artists’ rights. “With great respect,” he wrote. , getting paid and making sure we are all equipped to do our best work.”
He added: “Everyone here is doing their part. Whatever your role, please know that I see you and appreciate you. It has been my privilege to work with you and lead you.”
“Remember that music is the sound of change. What the most iconic artists and the most enduring companies have in common is evolution.”
Max Rusada
He also had a message for those “leading Warner into the next era”:
“Remember that music is the sound of change. What the most iconic artists and most enduring companies have in common is evolution. Sometimes it’s exciting, and sometimes it’s messy and difficult,” Lousada wrote.
“I encourage you to embrace all of this. Because when we move forward, the artists win, the fans win, and we win. In the end, music must win. “It’s too important not to do that.”
Lousada’s departure from WMG comes alongside other notable changes to the major’s senior ranks, with colleagues Julie Greenwald and Kevin Liles also leaving Warner Music Group at the end of the month.
Yesterday (September 26), outgoing Atlantic Music Group President Julie Greenwald sent a farewell message to the company’s employees as she prepares to leave the company after 20 years.
On Monday (September 23), Atlantic Music Group unveiled its new leadership team and broader company structure under the leadership of incoming CEO Elliot Grainge.
Below you can read Max Lousada’s full farewell message to WMG staff.
hello everyone,
Monday will be his last day as CEO of Warner Recorded Music.
Although I will be serving as an advisor until the end of January, I feel like this is my moment to thank you for the most extraordinary experience and most incredible honor.
From my indie roots to my 21 years here at Warner, my entire career has been guided by one simple truth. People who can create music that moves people are special. The world needs them. It is a privilege to see, hear, appreciate, and ultimately help such artists achieve success.
So, I would like to thank all the artists and managers who believed in me and Warner and supported me. It’s been there since the beginning, with superstars like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa and David Guetta. partnerships with legends like Coldplay and Linkin Park; It takes on a catalog of icons such as David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna and Led Zeppelin. Watching artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, CKay, Zach Bryan, Myke Towers, Gunna, Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Benson Boone, and Charli xcx leave their mark on the culture… These and many other artists have memories and relationships that I will cherish. .
Huge respect to everyone who advocates for artists every day by supporting their creativity, telling their stories, activating their fandom, and going global, as well as the unsung heroes who protect their rights, get paid, and ensure everything. I would like to express it. We have the ability to do our best work. Everyone here has a role to play, and whatever your role is, please know that I see you and appreciate you. It has been my privilege to work with you and lead you.
I would like to thank Len for his support of Warner. And I wish him, Robert, and the WMG leadership team every success in moving this unique and historic company forward.
For all of you leading Warner into the next era, remember that music is the sound of change. What the most iconic artists and most enduring companies have in common is evolution. Sometimes it’s exciting, and sometimes it’s messy and difficult. Please embrace all of this because as we challenge ourselves to move forward, artists will win, fans will win, and we will win. In the end, music must win. It’s too important not to do that.
I will always support you no matter what my next era looks like and I hope our many paths cross again.
First, I’m going to go and record…
Everyone, thank you for everything.
maxworldwide music business
