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Warner/Chappell Music Names Brian Roberts Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
| Source: Warner Music Group
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 13, 2008) - Warner/Chappell Music, the award-winning
publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE : WMG ), and one of the
world's largest music publishers, today announced that Brian Roberts has
been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based
in New York, the position will also include significant and regular time in
WCM's Los Angeles office. Effective immediately, Roberts will report to
Warner/Chappell Music CEO Dave Johnson.
An industry veteran with more than 22 years of financial, strategic and
operational experience, Roberts will be responsible for financial planning,
budgeting and reporting for Warner/Chappell Music. Additionally, he will
work closely with Michael Fleisher, Executive Vice President and CFO for
WMG.
In making the announcement, Johnson said, "I'm extremely pleased that Brian
is joining the company. It's a very exciting time for WCM as we continue to
transform our business, devise new business models and seek out new revenue
streams. Brian's in-depth industry knowledge, his strategic ability and his
accessible approach will quickly make him a valuable member of our senior
management team. I look forward to working with him and continuing the
great work that has already begun to gear our operations towards maximizing
the many new opportunities ahead."
Roberts succeeds Warner/Chappell CFO Nick Thomas, who has decided to return
to his home in the U.K. Roberts also assumes Thomas' role as head of the
World Administration Committee (WAC).
Johnson continued, "We are very grateful for Nick's contribution in laying
such solid foundations for us to build upon going forward. Nick has been an
outstanding executive at Warner/Chappell; his positive influence has been
significant and his impact felt throughout our worldwide organization. I
was very lucky that Nick was in place as Warner/Chappell's CFO when I
joined the company last year. His energy, integrity, experience and
intelligence, as well as his distinct sense of humor, have been a daily
benefit to me since then. We wish him and his family only the best upon
their return to the U.K."
For the past five years Roberts served as Senior Vice President, Finance &
Administration of North and South America at BMG Music Publishing. In this
role, he managed all finance and administrative operations in the Core,
Contemporary Christian and Production Music divisions.
From 1994 to 2002, Roberts was Senior Vice President, Finance and
Commercial Operations at Zomba Music Publishing where he was involved in
the dynamic growth of the company and part of the management team involved
in the sale of Zomba to BMG Music Publishing, as well as the later sale of
BMG Music Publishing to Universal Music Publishing Group.
Previously, he served as Vice President, Finance for EMI Music Publishing
North America. From 1990 to 1994, his primary responsibility included
budgeting and forecasting, strategic development and interacting with EMI's
parent company. From 1985 to 1990, Roberts was Audit Senior within the
Media & Entertainment Practice, where he worked with a number of clients in
the music and publishing industries.
Roberts received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Manhattan College and
is a Certified Public Accountant in New York.
About Warner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing
company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as
"Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs
of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido,
Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red
Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a
leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its
songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a
natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film
and television production companies, and others looking to record or
license some of the world's greatest music.