Warner Music Nashville Unveils New Future-Facing Artist Marketing Department

23 September 2016 - Press release

Newly created Radio & Streaming team led by SVP Kristen Williams

Additional hires in expanded Brand Management team led by VP Lisa Ray

Today, Warner Music Nashville (WMN) is unveiling a new future-facing structure for its marketing department, which includes the creation of a new Radio & Streaming team, the expansion of the Brand Management team, along with promotions and the addition of new expertise and resources.

“Our commitment to artist development means we never stop improving our approach and developing our team. We want to help our artists create change, not merely embrace it,” said John ‘Espo’ Esposito, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville. “These moves anticipate the lasting importance of radio and the ongoing ascent of streaming, while acknowledging there’s no need for a separate ‘digital’ team anymore, as technology is core to everything we do for our artists. We are positioning ourselves for new opportunities as the lines between marketing and commerce, as well as radio and streaming, continue to blur.”

Radio & Streaming:
Kristen Williams is promoted to Senior Vice President of the newly created Radio & Streaming team, which will build artists' careers by working with partners across radio, interactive radio, ad-supported streaming and subscription streaming. The team will also develop and place original content from WMN's diverse roster of artists, such as exclusive interviews, back-stage access and live footage. In addition, Chris Palmer is elevated to the newly created position VP, Radio & Streaming, overseeing a team of Radio & Streaming National Directors and Managers. Chad Schultz is promoted to the newly created position of VP of Original Content.

Brand Management:
Lisa Ray, VP Brand Management, will oversee an expanded department that encompasses Digital. This will enable Ray and her team to move faster, experiment more, and program innovative artist campaigns. In addition, Ashlee McDonald joins as Senior Director of Brand Management, Brooke Hardesty is named Director of Interactive Marketing, and Jeremy Gold joins as Manager of Interactive Marketing.

Both Kristen Williams and Lisa Ray will report to Peter Strickland, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Music Nashville.

Peter Strickland said "Kristen Williams’ deep devotion to artists and her broad knowledge of the business make her the perfect choice to spearhead this newly created department. Lisa Ray’s expertise in developing artists from the ground up is the essence of Brand Management and she will be a great leader for this expanded team. I also congratulate Chris Palmer and Chad Schultz on their promotions, and welcome Ashlee McDonald, Brooke Hardesty and Jeremy Gold as the latest additions to the best marketing team in the business.”

Kristen Williams said “Radio will always be an incredibly important part of discovering new music.  But just as radio continues to evolve and develop streaming initiatives that further their business, we need to continue to evolve too.  It’s a very exciting time for Warner Music Nashville and I’m honored that Espo and Peter have given me the opportunity to lead this insanely talented team and artist roster into the future.”

In January, Matt Signore, currently President of WEA, Warner Music Group’s global artist and label services division, will join the WMN team as Chief Operating Officer. As part of this move, Ben Kline,