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Eliah Seton Named President of Independent Music & Creator Services at Warner Music Group

February 6, 2019

Role Encompasses ADA Worldwide, Asylum Records, and Level,

Plus Arts Music Division

 

Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced that Eliah Seton has been named President of Independent Music & Creator Services. Seton’s promotion from President of ADA Worldwide to this new position recognizes his leadership of WMG’s expanded commitment to the growing independent music community, through ADA (Alternative Distribution Alliance), the Asylum Records label, and Level – WMG’s platform for unsigned artists. In addition, Seton oversees WMG’s Arts Music division, headed by President Kevin Gore, which serves as a repertoire center for classical, musical theatre, children’s music, and other fields outside the pop mainstream. Seton, who is based at the company’s headquarters in New York, reports to Max Lousada, WMG’s CEO of Global Recorded Music.

 

“Eliah champions the indie community and artistic diversity with a true fan’s passion, a musician’s sensibility, and an entrepreneur’s ingenuity,” said Lousada. “His new post reflects the wide scope of his responsibilities, and the brilliant job he’s been doing to make WMG a world-class home for artists at every stage of their careers – from raw talent starting out in their bedrooms to superstars headlining stadiums. As the creator economy booms, Eliah and his team will help us expand our value proposition for music-makers on a global scale.”

 

“It’s our mission to help original artists and forward-thinking label partners realize their visions,” said Seton. “Whether those artists are signed or unsigned, whether those labels are big or small, our extraordinary teams at ADA, Asylum, Level, and Arts Music are laser-focused on providing innovative solutions to amplify the voices of our artists around the world. By backing our global ambitions with local expertise, we strive to support and nurture the full spectrum of musical creativity.”

 

Since taking on the role of President of ADA Worldwide in 2015, Seton and his team have more than doubled the size of the business, transforming the independent distribution network into a label services magnet with topflight marketing, press, promotion, sync, analytics, playlisting, and other value-adds. His emphasis on digital expansion, local influence, and global infrastructure has differentiated the company – which saw its global business grow 38% in 2018, while international revenues more than tripled over the past two calendar years.

 

Under Seton’s leadership, ADA secured an exclusive global distribution pact with BMG, as well as deals for the likes of Doug Morris’ 12 Tone, Ciara’s Beautymarks Entertainment, Paradigm’s Big Picnic, Cherrytree, Platinum Records, and Knightvision. ADA has also established an operation in Nashville, where it has inked deals with country labels such as Broken Bow Records and Big Label Records. With clients including Beggars Group, Sub Pop, Domino, and Epitaph, ADA represents a range of artists across genres and career stages – including Jason Aldean, Arctic Monkeys, Margo Price, Ciara, Jeff Tweedy/Wilco, Anderson.Paak, Lil Dicky, Macklemore, Flatbush Zombies, and many others.

 

In 2017, Seton oversaw the re-launch of WMG’s iconic Asylum Records as a new label focusing on streaming and offering uniquely flexible recording deals to new and emerging artists. Upholding the brand’s tradition of artistic freedom, Asylum is led by Gabrielle Peluso, with a roster that includes Ugly God, Sada Baby, and Dice Soho, among others.

 

That same year, Seton initiated the creation of a new Arts Music division, which focuses on signing, developing, and marketing artists and releases across genres – from musical theatre and classical, to jazz and children’s music, to soundtracks and mood music. Run by Kevin Gore, Arts Music houses the historic Erato and Warner Classics labels, led by Alain Lanceron, and includes the Broadway label Ghostlight Records, led by Kurt Deutsch. Arts Music recently re-launched Sesame Street Records in partnership with the nonprofit educational organization Sesame Workshop, as well as releasing the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the ten-time Tony Award-winning The Band’s Visit.

 

Last year, harnessing the wave of technological change in distribution, Seton oversaw the under-the-radar beta launch of Level, WMG’s digital distribution platform serving unsigned artists. The team at Level, led by Christine Taylor, is readying for a springtime launch of new features.

 

Seton was named to Billboard’s Indie Power Players list in 2017 and 2018, and to its 40 Under 40 list in 2016. He previously served as SVP, International Strategy & Operations, Warner Recorded Music, where he helped drive WMG’s emerging markets strategy, with key investments in China and Eastern Europe. Prior to that, Seton established and ran the Office of the CEO for Steve Cooper, where he was part of the team that acquired Parlophone Label Group. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated from Harvard College.