Veteran record executive Lyor Cohen has announced his departure from the Chairman/CEO position at Warner Music Group that he assumed in 2004.
According to Billboard.biz, Cohen will leave the company on September 30th to “move on to his next big challenge.” At WMG, Cohen oversaw Atlantic and Warner Bros. Records, as well as several other branches of the corporation.
“To all the artists and employees who live and die for the music every day, and who personally sacrifice for the good of the creative process: ‘keep on keepin’ on’ in the tradition of a company that respects and honors the artistic community,” said Cohen in a statement.
WMG CEO Stephen Cooper said, “Lyor Cohen has built something very special here. While we understand his desire to move on to his next challenge, the enduring success of our recorded music division will serve as a great testament to the progress we’ve made during Lyor’s time at WMG. We are grateful for Lyor’s contributions, and we wish him the best. I’m confident that given the strength of our talented management team in Recorded Music, we’ll be able to drive further success.”
Cohen got his start in artist management in the mid-1980s at Rush Communications, and became President of Def Jam in 1988.
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Wooow…
Warner Whats Goodie?
Big deal. No matter what his resume looks like the fact is music sales are down. Save the money you’d be paying him and use it to promote upcoming projects.
what exactly is his “Next Big Challenge”?
I wonder him leaving has something to do with Lupe’s album coming out with barely any promotion..
Barely any promotion? Where the hell have you been, I’ve been seeing this album promoted for months now. And even if Atlantic decided not to promote Lupe’s album, could you blame them? His interviews and statements are all the promotion he needs, lol
I hope you wannabe rappers are paying attention…All the smart money is leaving the building. Its literally OVER!
He didn’t build it, so therefore him leaving won’t destroy it.
Great quote donald passman
Jiji comment as stupid as your screename, Warner is an entity and not an individual.
This guy knows how to use smart independent label owners to make him look good. Signing great executive to distribution deals don’t make you a genius, it just makes you a good user.
industry people are shady