Warner Music axes jobs after acquisition
Warner Music has scrapped the position of head of film, television and advertising, held by Jane Davies, following the acquisition of the company by a consortium led by Edgar Bronfman Jr.
The $2.6bn (&£1.4bn) acquisition will result in Bronfman being installed as chairman and chief executive officer of Warner Music Group and has led to a plan to cut the global workforce by 20 per cent.
Davies was appointed to the new position in June 2002, with a brief to establish relationships with major brands and advertising agencies (MW 13 June, 2004). Her remit included guiding clients on music choice, copyright clearance and licensing. She was previously creative manager at Warner/Chappell Music and Universal Music.
Davies reported to Mario Warner, director of the strategic marketing division. He says the position fell victim to “our cost- cutting across the board”.
He adds that some of Davies’ responsibilities will devolve to the business development team, which works on third-party sales promotions as well as to outside agencies.
Warner Music’s roster includes acts such as The Darkness, Muse, Madonna and REM.
BMG Music Publishing has just launched its own brand consultancy department called Synctank to exploit its repertoire under head of global marketing Steve Levy.
