Dynamic leader joins from The Walt Disney
Company with experience including Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and
The Walt Disney Company Japan
NEW
YORK, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner
Music Group Corp. (Nasdaq: WMG) today announced that Bryan Castellani is joining the company as
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective
October 16. A seasoned media and
financial executive, Castellani has spent more than two decades at
The Walt Disney Company, most recently serving as CFO for Disney
Entertainment & ESPN. Based in New
York, Castellani will report to WMG's CEO, Robert Kyncl. He succeeds WMG's long-time CFO
Eric Levin, who is staying on to
ensure a smooth transition, before retiring in January.
Kyncl said: "Bryan has wide-ranging experience helping one of
the world's most impactful creative enterprises build long-term
value and unlock new global possibilities. A dynamic, operational
CFO, he'll be an excellent addition to our executive leadership
team, as we grow the WMG of the future for the benefit of our
artists, songwriters, investors, employees, and partners."
Kyncl added: "I'd also like to express our gratitude to Eric for
his near decade of service at WMG. He'll leave with our deepest
respect for his many contributions during an extraordinary period
of growth that included WMG's global expansion, numerous major
acquisitions, and a successful IPO. We wish him all the best."
Castellani said: "I'm delighted to be joining WMG at such an
exciting and pivotal time for the company and the music industry.
Music is a powerful global force, unconstrained by any specific
model or format, and has significant business upside. Robert's
vision for differentiating WMG is inspiring, and I'm looking
forward to working with the leadership and finance teams to take
the company to the next level in a rapidly evolving landscape."
Prior to being named CFO for Disney Entertainment & ESPN,
Castellani was EVP of Finance for Disney Media and Entertainment
Distribution (DMED) where he led finance for the segment as well as
for its platform distribution, advertising sales, and networks
businesses. Before that, he served as EVP & CFO of ESPN, where
he oversaw the network's financial planning, strategy, and real
estate functions, and played a key role in programming, affiliate,
and new business initiatives. Previously, Castellani was SVP of
Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis for The Walt Disney
Company, where he worked closely with the segment CFO teams,
corporate strategy, and investor relations in managing company-wide
operating and planning functions.
During his tenure at The Walt Disney Company, Castellani held
numerous other financial and operational leadership roles,
including SVP of Operations, Business Planning & Strategy for
ABC News; VP & CFO of The Walt Disney Company Japan; and Head
of Finance & Planning for Disney Consumer Products Japan. In
addition, he previously led finance and planning at ABC News, the
ABC Internet Group, and The Disney Store Japan, where he also ran
its marketing and promotions team. Castellani started with Disney
in 1995 as a financial analyst for The Disney Store.
Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company, Castellani worked in
international finance at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in economics and political science from the University of Rochester, where he graduated magna
cum laude.
Access accompanying image here.
About Warner Music Group
With a legacy extending back
over 200 years, Warner Music Group (WMG) today brings together
artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs that are moving
entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70
countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG's
Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 300
Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra,
Erato, First Night, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise,
Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin', Warner
Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG's
music publishing arm, Warner Chappell
Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning
every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American
Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music
Group is also home to ADA, the independent artist and label
services company – as well as next gen artist services division
WMX, which includes consumer brands such as Songkick, the live
music app; EMP, the merchandise e-tailer; UPROXX, the youth culture
destination; and HipHopDX, the hip-hop music news site. In
addition, WMG counts storytelling powerhouse Warner Music
Entertainment and social media content creator IMGN among its many
brands. Follow WMG on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and
Facebook.
Media Contact
James
Steven
james.steven@wmg.com
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SOURCE Warner Music Group Corp.