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Chris Ancliff Named EVP, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa for Warner Music Group

June 1, 2016

Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced that Chris Ancliff has expanded his role at the company to become Executive Vice President for Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.  With his new responsibilities, Ancliff will oversee the company’s operations in these developing markets, reporting to Stu Bergen, WMG’s CEO, International and Global Commercial Services.  At the same time, Ancliff will continue to serve as WMG’s General Counsel, International, responsible for WMG’s legal and business affairs activities outside the U.S., and reporting to Paul Robinson, WMG’s EVP and General Counsel.

“As we continue to build our global presence, we are designing our local strategies for each territory’s unique culture and market,” said Stu Bergen. “With over two decades of wide-ranging international experience under his belt, Chris is the perfect choice to turbocharge our rapidly evolving presence in these dynamic growth territories.  Giving these regions dedicated leadership is another important step in ensuring that our artists realize their full global potential.”

“Since joining WMG seven years ago, Chris has been an important player in helping us to make thoughtful acquisitions, expand our international footprint and embrace new business models,” noted Paul Robinson.  “His deep understanding of our business, company and licensees in the these regions means this new role is a natural extension of his General Counsel duties and will make him hugely valuable as we take our international operations to new heights.”

“This is an exciting time to be at WMG, which is leading the industry in developing forward-thinking opportunities across the globe,” said Chris Ancliff.  “From investing in local repertoire to bringing the world a new generation of boundary-crossing superstars, our teams are the best in the business.  I’m looking forward to working more closely with our colleagues such as Alexander Blinov in Russia, Piotr Kabaj in Poland and Tracy Fraser in South Africa, while developing our partnerships with our licensees.  I’d like to thank Stu and Paul for this fantastic new opportunity.”

Over the past three years, WMG has made a number of major initiatives in emerging markets.  Among them was the company’s 2013 acquisition of Gala Records Group, Russia’s leading independent music company, which led to the establishment of Warner Music Russia.  With the acquisition of Parlophone Label Group that same year, WMG welcomed EMI’s affiliates in key markets in Eastern Europe, including Poland, and two years later acquired Polskie Nagrania, Poland’s longest-running record company. 2013 also saw the launch of Warner Music South Africa, following a buyout of Gallo Records’ share of the joint venture Warner Music Gallo Africa.

Prior to WMG, Ancliff spent eleven years at EMI International, rising from Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs to General Counsel, EMI Group. He began his career at the London-based law firm Linklaters before moving to PolyGram International in 1993, where he became head of the legal department for the company’s popular music marketing division and later held the same post for its filmed entertainment operations.  Ancliff has helped inform and shape policy on music and the creative industries around the world through his roles with industry trade bodies such as BPI and IFPI.