Warner Music appoints marketing director

MadonnaWarner Music UK has appoin-ted former Mercury Records managing director Greg Castell as marketing director for its Warner Bros Records division. He replaces Matt Thomas, who has left the company.

Castell, who has been working as a consultant in the music industry, will oversee the Warner Bros brands including Reprise Records, Transgressive Records and Sire Records.

One of his first tasks will be to develop music download deals with mobile phone companies.

He says: “Traditional music retail has altered dramatically this year with a lot of music making changes. The future of this business is in digital and that is one of our main focuses.”

Castell says there are no plans to review the company’s £18m media planning and buying account, which is handled by PHD Media. The record company’s creative is developed in house.

Castell became a consultant two years ago after leaving his role as Mercury Records managing director. Previously, he was general manager at Polydor Records where he was responsible for the marketing and sales team.

Warner Bros has also appointed former Sony BMG digital marketing manager Anwar Nuseibeh as head of digital. He replaces Samantha Sparrow, who has also left the company.

Earlier this year, Warner Music, which is one of the industry’s four major players, announced it was going to cut 400 jobs and restructure the business.

The changes followed weak record company sales in key markets including the UK. Its artists include REM, Madonna and P Diddy.