Warner Music, CEO
Company background
Warner Music Group is one of the world’s leading music entertainment companies, generating over $5bn in annual revenue and operating at global scale across recorded music and publishing. With a presence in more than 70 countries and a catalogue of world-renowned artists, WMG has successfully navigated the industry’s shift to streaming and digital consumption, with digital revenues now representing the majority of its income.
As the business entered a new phase of growth following its IPO, the Board sought a transformational CEO to lead the next chapter—driving innovation, strengthening technology capabilities, and positioning WMG as a disruptive force in a rapidly evolving market.
The approach
The Up Group was appointed to lead a global, highly confidential search for a world-class CEO based in the US, capable of operating at the intersection of technology, content and culture. The team mapped an extensive international talent pool spanning media, technology and entertainment, assessing both external leaders and internal executives.
The impact
The process resulted in the appointment of Robert Kyncl in New York, previously Chief Business Officer at YouTube, bringing a rare combination of global scale leadership, deep digital expertise and a proven track record in transforming content businesses. His experience in scaling platforms, monetising content and leading large, complex organisations positioned him to accelerate WMG’s evolution into a technology-enabled music company. The appointment marked a pivotal moment for WMG, reinforcing its strategic ambition to lead the future of the music industry while delivering long-term growth and shareholder value.
