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Warner considering options for new CEO, say reports

By | Published on Wednesday 30 May 2012

Warner Music

So, anyone fancy running the Warner Music Group? Anyone? Go on, you’d get to work with Stooshe. Yes, according to the New York Post, current owners of what will soon be ‘the mini-major’ are reportedly sounding out possible contenders for the job of CEO at the music firm, with incumbent Stephen Cooper seemingly keen to hand over the reigns at some point soon-ish.

Cooper was put into the top job at Warner after it was bought by Access Industries last year, replacing the much more high profile Edgar Bronfman Jr, who was eased out of the CEO and then Chairman roles at the major once he ceased to be a shareholder.

But Access man Cooper was, the Post says, always put in place on a temporary basis to turn around the company’s fortunes (aka cut costs), and, the paper adds, Access chief Len Blavatnik intends to appoint a more permanent Warner CEO in due course. Cooper would likely then continue to oversee Warner as Chairman, it’s thought.

It’s not clear if an internal or external appointment is more likely. If the former, then Lyor Cohen, currently overall boss of the Warner record companies, would probably be a lead contender, but some reckon the major is more likely to find a new CEO from outside its ranks. Some have already speculated what Cohen’s next move would be should that happen, though presumably his decision would be greatly influenced by who was given the Chief Executive job.



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