Decision Makers
Board of Directors
Ian K. Loring has served as a Director since August 2001. Mr. Loring is Managing Director of Bain Capital, Inc. and replaced Mr. Michael Krupka who served as a Bain appointee since 1999. Prior to joining Bain, Mr. Loring was a Vice President with Berkshire Partners.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Hybrid Technologies, Inc. |
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Warner Music Group |
Current |
| Blenheim Chalcot |
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Warner Music Group |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Warner Music Group |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Acting General Counsel |
Former |
| Fordham University Law School |
J.D. |
Former |
| Williams College |
B.A. In English |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| The Directors' Council |
Managing Partner |
Current |
| Center for Disease Control |
|
Current |
| PPG Industries, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| The Center for Audit Quality |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Equis Corporation |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| CDC Foundation |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Nacd Corporate Directors Institute |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| PPG Industries, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Nacd Utah |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| AstraZeneca PLC |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Tlcontact, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| L.E.K. Consulting LLC |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| National Association of Corporate Directors |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| National Association of Corporate Directors |
Member |
Current |
| American Telecare, Inc. |
Member |
Current |
| Voyager Expanded Learning |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| Caremark International Inc. |
President |
Former |
| International Business Group |
President |
Former |
| Voyager Expanded Learning |
President |
Former |
| National Association of Corporate Directors |
President |
Former |
| International Business Group |
Corporate Vice President |
Former |
| Caremark International Inc. |
Corporate Vice President |
Former |
| Nacd |
President |
Former |
| Target Corporation |
Committee Chairman |
Former |
| DaVita, Inc. |
Board Member |
Former |
| The Seagram Company, Ltd. |
Board Member |
Former |
| Target Corporation |
Board Member |
Former |
| University of Chicago |
Master of Business Administration |
Former |
| University of Pennsylvania |
B.S. Degree In Economics |
Former |
| DaVita, Inc. |
Member |
Former |
| Nacd |
Member |
Former |
| The Seagram Company, Ltd. |
Member |
Former |
Edgar Bronfman, Jr. is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Music Group (NYSE:WMG), a broad-based music content company with interests in recorded music, music publishing and artist services. WMG is the world's only publicly-traded major music company and home to some of the industry's best-known record labels, including the Atlantic Records Group, Warner Bros. Records and Rhino Entertainment, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, a music publisher that owns and manages some of the most famous copyrights in music history. WMG operates globally in more than 50 countries through numerous international affiliates and licensees.
In 2004 Bronfman led a private investment group in its acquisition of WMG from Time Warner and, in 2005, led the company's initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
Bronfman has guided WMG's transition from a traditional recorded music and music publishing company to a more diverse music content company. Under his management, WMG has established a leading position in the music industry's fast-growing digital marketplace and broadened its revenue streams by building a portfolio of artist services businesses and increasing the number of expanded rights partnerships with its artists. Over that time, WMG has grown from the fourth-largest to the third-largest music company in the world. In 2007 WMG achieved its highest U.S. album market share in ten years and the Company has had the No. 1 label in the U.S. in three of the past four years.
WMG was named one of Fortune Magazine's "Most Admired Companies" in 2007, the first music company ever to receive the honor and, in 2009, was named one of the "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies," by Fast Company magazine.
Prior to joining WMG, Bronfman was the chief architect behind the creation of Vivendi's entertainment division, including Universal Music Group and the Universal Studios film division. While at Universal, he acquired PolyGram, creating the largest and most successful music company in the world, and presided over the revitalization of Universal's film, television and recreation companies. In December 2000, Bronfman sold the Universal entertainment assets to Vivendi and was named Executive Vice Chairman of Vivendi Universal. He served as an officer and executive of Vivendi Universal until 2001, and served as Vice Chairman of Vivendi Universal's Board of Directors until December 2, 2003. The management team he formed at Universal remains one of the industry's most respected.
Prior to the formation of Vivendi Universal, Bronfman was President and CEO of The Seagram Company Ltd., a post he held since June 1994. During his tenure as CEO of Seagram, he consummated $85 billion in transactions and transformed that firm into one of the world's leading media and communications companies. From 1989 until June 1994, Bronfman served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Seagram. Between 1982 and 1989, he held a series of senior executive positions for The Seagram Company Ltd. in the U.S. and in Europe.
Bronfman also serves as general partner at Accretive, LLC, a venture capital firm specializing in the business process outsourcing area. Before assuming his current position at WMG, Bronfman served as Chairman and CEO of Lexa Partners LLC, a management venture capital group based in New York City.
Bronfman serves on the board of InterActiveCorp. He is Chairman of the Board of Endeavor Global, a non-profit organization pioneering a new approach to international development. Bronfman also serves on the boards of New York University Elaine A. and Kenneth G. Langone Medical Center and The Collegiate School. He is a member of JPMorgan's National Advisory Board and the Council on Foreign Relations.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer |
Current |
| Accretive Health |
General Partner |
Current |
| New York University Medical Center |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Accretive Health |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Accretive Commerce, Inc |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Fandango, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| The Seagram Company, Ltd. |
CEO |
Former |
| The Seagram Company, Ltd. |
President |
Former |
| The Seagram Company, Ltd. |
Chief Operating Officer |
Former |
| The Seagram Company, Ltd. |
Senior Executive Positions |
Former |
| Vivendi Universal S.A. |
Executive Officer |
Former |
| Vivendi Universal S.A. |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Former |
| Vivendi Universal S.A. |
Executive Vice Chairman |
Former |
Mr. Sperling is Co-President of THL.
Mr. Sperling's current and prior directorships include Clear Channel Communications, Hawkeye Holdings, Thermo Fisher Corp., Univision Communications, Inc., Warner Music Group, Experian Information Solutions, Fisher Scientific, Front Line Management Companies, Inc., Houghton Mifflin Co., The Learning Company, LiveWire, LLC, PriCellular Corp., ProcureNet, ProSiebenSat.1, Tibbar, LLC, Wyndham Hotels and several other private companies.
Prior to joining THL, Mr. Sperling was Managing Partner of The Aeneas Group, Inc., the private capital affiliate of Harvard Management Company, for more than ten years. Before that he was a senior consultant with the Boston Consulting Group.
Mr. Sperling is also a director of several charitable organizations including the Brigham & Women’s / Faulkner Hospital Group and Harvard Business School's Rock Center for Entrepreneurship and is the chairman of The Citi Center for Performing Arts and Wang Theater.
He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. from Purdue University. He is married with four children.
Richard J. Bressler . Mr. Bressler has been a member of Nielsen s Supervisory Board since July 28, 2006, a member of the Board of Nielsen Finance Co. since July 28, 2006 and a member of the Board of Nielsen Finance LLC since July 28, 2006. Mr. Bressler joined Thomas H. Lee Partners as a Managing Director in 2006. From May 2001 through 2005, Mr. Bressler was the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Viacom Inc. Before joining Viacom, Mr. Bressler was Executive Vice President of AOL Time Warner Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of AOL Time Warner Investments. Prior to that, Mr. Bressler served in various capacities with Time Warner Inc., including as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Digital Media, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Time Warner Inc. Before joining Time Inc., Mr. Bressler was a partner with Ernst & Young. Mr. Bressler serves on the Boards of Warner Music Group, Gartner, Inc. and American Media, Inc. In addition, he serves as Chairman for the Center for Communication Board, the Duke University Fuqua School of Business s Board of Visitors, New School University s Board of Trustees, the J.P. Morgan Chase National Advisory Board and the Columbia University School of the Arts Deans Council. Mr. Bressler holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Adelphia University.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Thomas H. Lee Partners, LP |
Managing Director |
Current |
| THL Inc. |
Managing Director |
Current |
| American Media, Inc |
Director of Media and The Company |
Current |
| NYSE Group, Inc. |
|
Current |
| PERQ/HCI L.L.C. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Gartner, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| American Media, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| SRDS, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Spectra Marketing Systems, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Global Sourcing Invitational Program |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Time Warner Inc. |
Chief Executive of Time Warner Digital Media |
Former |
| Viacom Inc. |
Chief Financial Officer |
Former |
| Viacom Inc. |
Senior Executive Vice President |
Former |
| Time Warner Inc. |
Executive Vice President |
Former |
| Time Warner Inc. |
Chairman |
Former |
| Adelphi University |
B.B.A. |
Former |
David H. Johnson is Warner/Chappell's Chairman and CEO. Prior to his appointment in December 2006, he was Warner Music Group's (WMG) Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Widely considered a leading legal expert in the music industry, Johnson joined WMG in 1999 and has considerable experience in a broad range of music and entertainment matters. Johnson has also played an instrumental role in some of the music industry's major acquisitions. Johnson spent nine years as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Sony Music Entertainment. He also held several posts at CBS and was an associate in the New York City law firm Mayer, Nussbaum, Katz & Baker. Johnson is a graduate of Yale College. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and an L.L.M. from New York University Law School.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chappell Music |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
General Counsel |
Current |
| Cdt and Partners |
Senior Resident Fellow |
Current |
| Sony Music Entertainment |
Senior Vice President |
Former |
| Sony Music Entertainment |
General Counsel |
Former |
| New York Law School |
Visiting Prof |
Former |
| University of Pennsylvania Law School |
J.D. |
Former |
| Yale Law School |
|
Former |
| Yale College |
|
Former |
Based in London, John Reid oversees WMG’s European affiliates as well as the UK divisions of Atlantic, Rhino and Warner Bros. He is also responsible for WMG’s business in the Middle East and Africa and has overall responsibility for WMG’s content and marketing outside the US, including Warner Music Entertainment, WMG’s international video content unit.
He joined WMG in 2000, running WEA London Records before taking on various senior roles in International Marketing. In 2006 he was named Vice Chairman, Warner Music International and in early 2007 was appointed to his current position. He has played a critical role in the international marketing of US superstars including Michael Bublé, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna and Linkin Park. He was also instrumental in achieving global prominence for many European-based artists such as Muse, James Blunt, David Gray, Paolo Nutini, Laura Pausini and Miguel Bosé. Under his leadership, WM Europe has evolved its expanded rights strategy and broadened the range of services it offers its artists. Through key hires, partnerships and acquisitions, Reid has helped to develop WMG’s impressive digital footprint as well as the company’s diversification into growth revenue streams such as merchandise, touring and artist management.
In the Evening Standard’s 2007 and 2008 lists of ‘London’s Most Influential People’, Reid was recognized as one of London’s most important music industry figures.
Prior to joining Warner Music, John held roles as President of Island Def Jam Records USA, Chairman & CEO of PolyGram Canada (including PolyGram Music and Filmed Entertainment), and International Marketing Director at London Records, which was then part of the PolyGram Group. Early in his career, he was an Artist Manager and Tour & Production Manager, working with bands including The Beastie Boys and Run DMC. Reid holds a degree in Business from Trinity College Dublin.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music - Americas and the U.K. |
Current |
| Surfcast Inc |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Vice Chairman |
Current |
| Island Def Jam Music Group |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| Rush Entertainment |
Manager |
Former |
Lachie Rutherford is President, Warner Music Asia Pacific & Chairman, Warner Music Japan. Based at the company’s regional headquarters in Hong Kong, he oversees WMG’s networks of affiliates in the territory including the key markets of Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. In addition, he has served as the Chairman of IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) Asia Pacific since 2004.
He joined Warner Music in 1998, a year later was named President, Warner Music Asia Pacific and has since led the transformation of WMG’s regional organization into a broad-based media and artist services company. From 2003, he was also the head of Warner Music Japan, one of the most vibrant and successful music companies in the world. In 2008, he appointed a CEO & President to run the affiliate whilst retaining his role as its Chairman.
Rutherford has been closely associated with the region's top acts over the years and has been directly involved in many Asian artists’ careers including Kobukuro, Ayaka, Superfly, Bonnie Pink, A-Mei, Stephanie Sun, FIR, Sammi Cheng, Aaron Kwok, Fiona Sit, and Faye Wong. He has also overseen numerous landmark achievements in the Asia Pacific territory, especially in its digital operations and A&R strategy. In 2005, WMG created the first ever mobile music bundle or “WAMO pack” with KDDI Corporation in Japan. In 2007, Rutherford oversaw Warner Music’s purchase of a majority stake in Taisuke a leading artist services in Japan, which further accelerated Warner Music’s pioneering approach to expanded rights relationships with artists in the region and is helping to solidify WMG’s growing presence in non-traditional businesses, such as touring, artist management and sponsorship.
Prior to joining Warner Music, Rutherford was at EMI Music Group, where he became Regional Director of EMI Music Operations in South East Asia in 1984. He was named EMI Regional Managing Director for South East Asia and China in 1994 before becoming President, EMI Music Asia in 1995.
Before his tenure at EMI, he practiced as a barrister in Australia. Originally from New Zealand, Rutherford has a Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Otago.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Compliance Officer |
Current |
| Boston University School of Law |
J.D. |
Former |
Will Tanous is a member of Warner Music Group's (WMG) senior management team, with responsibility for directing the company's global communications efforts. Reporting to WMG Chairman and CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Tanous plays an integral role in shaping and communicating the company's business strategy. Tanous oversees WMG's media relations, internal and external communications, events and philanthropy. Tanous also supervises the interaction and coordination of the communications functions of Warner Music Group's operating companies. Since joining the company in 1993, Tanous has developed and implemented communication strategies for major company and industry-wide endeavors, including the launch of new audio formats, the restructuring of the company's global recorded-music, music-publishing and manufacturing and distribution units, and the development of digital music distribution and online and mobile music subscription initiatives. Tanous also played an integral role in the internal and external communications efforts surrounding Time Warner's sale of Warner Music Group to an investor group led by Edgar Bronfman, Jr. for $2.6 billion as well as the company's initial public offering in May 2005. Tanous was the lead communications executive for Time Warner in its agreement to sell WMG's global DVD and CD manufacturing, printing, packaging, physical distribution and merchandising businesses to Cinram International Inc. for approximately $1.05 billion in cash. Tanous has also participated in the efforts of the Music Group's record labels to create and identify non-traditional promotional outlets for artists. In 1996, he co-created HBO's live music series Reverb. The critically acclaimed program, for which he served as executive producer, aired for four seasons and was the highest-rated, regularly scheduled music program on television. Prior to joining WMG, Tanous held positions at Warner Music International and Geffen Records. He also served as president of two independent record labels. Tanous holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. He lives in New York City.
Michael Nash is Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development, for Warner Music Group. Since joining WMG in 2000, Nash has overseen major new media projects, key strategic relationships and a wide range of business development activities. He has also played a major role in building WMG's digital distribution footprint and partnership portfolio, including important initiatives with AT&T, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Verizon and Sony Ericsson.
Linda Bloss-Baum serves as the Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations for the Warner Music Group. Bloss-Baum opened Warner’s Washington DC office in March 2005, shortly after the company had been purchased by a private group of investors led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. In her role at Warner, Bloss-Baum oversees the operation of the company’s domestic and international policy agenda. Bloss-Baum establishes public policy priorities and strategies in close conjunction with the legal, business development, public relations, and technology units within Warner. On the government relations side, Bloss-Baum is responsible for creating and fostering relationships with policy makers that have jurisdiction over areas of interest to the music industry. Bloss-Baum works closely with the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Music Publishers Association in Washington to further the cooperative interests of the music industry. Bloss-Baum serves on the boards of several industry associations, including the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the Media Institute.
Prior to joining Warner, Bloss-Baum served as Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations at NBC Universal (previously Universal Entertainment/Universal Music Group). Bloss-Baum learned about the key policy issues facing the music industry from her time on Capitol Hill as Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee. During her five year tenure at the Committee, Bloss-Baum drafted legislation regarding the issues of high technology, copyright, media and telecommunications. On Capitol Hill, Bloss-Baum frequently participated in industry conferences, American Bar Association panels, press events and University guest lectures to educate outside interests about Committee priorities and issues.
Bloss-Baum earned her J.D. at the Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, along with a specialized certificate from the law school’s Institute for Communications Law Studies. She is a Member of the Maryland State Bar. She also holds a B.A. in Communications from the American University.
Scott L. Jaeckel is a Managing Director at THL. Prior to joining THL, Mr. Jaeckel worked at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in the Corporate Finance Department. Mr. Jaeckel also worked at Tiger Management, a hedge fund.
Mr. Jaeckel is currently a Director of Ceridian Corporation, MoneyGram International, Inc. (NYSE:MGI), Paramax Capital Group and related entities, Sedgwick CMS Holdings and Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE:WMG). His prior directorships include Grupo Corporativo Ono and Rayovac Corporation.
Mr. Jaeckel holds a B.B.A. with distinction in Economics and Mathematics from The University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Jaeckel currently is active in various private and non-profit institutions.
http://www.thl.com/ourTeam/jaeckelBio.html
Seth W. Lawry is a Managing Director at THL. Prior to joining THL, Mr. Lawry worked at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in the Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance and Equity Capital Markets Departments. Mr. Lawry also worked at General Atlantic Partners, a venture capital company.
Mr. Lawry is currently a Director of MoneyGram International, Inc. (NYSE:MGI) and Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE:WMG). His prior directorships include Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS), Houghton Mifflin Company, ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, Safelite Glass Corp. and Tucker Anthony Sutro.
Mr. Lawry holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in Economics and German Studies from Williams College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Mr. Lawry currently serves as a Trustee of Colby College and is active in various private and non-profit institutions.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Providence Equity Partners Inc. |
Principal, New York |
Current |
| Warner Music Group Corporation |
Investor |
Current |
| Salomon Brothers Inc. |
Analyst, Corporate Finance |
Former |
| Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. |
Associate |
Former |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor of Arts |
Former |