GM Mike Chester to Oversee Future-Focused Structure Designed to Supercharge Artist Development
Move includes key promotions for Dalia Ganz, Sam Riddle, Will Morrow and Jesse Ervin
Warner Records today announced a dynamic, digitally forward, future-focused revitalization of its marketing team under the leadership of General Manager Mike Chester. The newly revamped department brings together digital and traditional marketing in a streamlined structure that accelerates decision making, empowers creativity, and supercharges artist development strategy and execution.
This move comes as the company is enjoying strong market share growth, driven by current breakthrough artist success stories such as Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Dasha, and sombr, alongside superstars like Dua Lipa and Zach Bryan.
The new Warner Records marketing team will be overseen by Dalia Ganz, who has been promoted to EVP/Head of Digital & Marketing. Ganz joined the label in 2022 as SVP, Digital Marketing.
Reporting to Ganz are: Sam Riddle, who is being upped to SVP/Head of Digital Marketing; Will Morrow, who has been promoted to SVP/Head of Viral Marketing; and a trio of SVPs of Marketing Strategy & Operations: Jesse Ervin, who had been upped from VP (continuing to work with artists such as Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Bublé, Green Day, Josh Groban, and Neil Young); TJ Landig (working with artists such as Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, sombr, Dasha, Deftones, and Zach Bryan); and Shawnae Corbett-Rice (working with artists such as Saweetie, NLE Choppa, Dijon, Honey Bxby, Justine Skye, and Alex Isley).
Chester has also streamlined the Commerce department in order to improve communication and accelerate decision-making. The modernized structure will propel the team to respond to market changes more quickly and efficiently. Leading the Commerce department are Axel Hyge, SVP of Streaming Strategy and Dave Edwards, SVP of Revenue & Operations.
Chester said: “This is a reimagining of how we can best market and develop exceptional talent. It’s designed for speed, intelligence, collaboration, and top flight service to our incredible roster. Dalia is a future forward executive whose digital marketing expertise has been pivotal to our recent success. And Sam, Will, Jesse, TJ, Shawnae, Axel, and Dave are the best in the business, bringing incredible enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience to their work. Together with their entire teams, I have no doubt they’ll do a phenomenal, industry-leading job for our artists as we continue to build groundbreaking careers in a rapidly expanding musical universe.”
Ganz noted: “Since joining Warner Records three years ago, I’ve been blown away by the level of passion and talent that runs through this company. We are united by our love of music, culture-forward thinking, and unparalleled digital/viral expertise. I’m excited to lead a new Marketing department that’s perfectly set up to fuel artistic excellence and commercial success. I want to thank Mike, Tom, and Aaron for this wonderful new opportunity.”
Tom Corson, Warner Records Co-Chairman & COO noted: “Aaron (Bay-Schuck) and I recognize that over the past seven years, Mike has played a critical role in breathing new life and energy into this company, proving over and over again that we are the best artist development label in the business. With the revamping of our marketing and commerce teams, he’s helping drive us to a whole new level of growth and success.”
With this realignment, executives leaving Warner Records include Dionnee Harper – EVP, Marketing & Artist Development; Josh Remsberg – SVP, Head of Commercial Revenue; and Kristine Ripley – VP, Artist Development.
Chester added: “I want to thank Dionnee, Josh, and Kristine for their dedication to this company and its artists. We wish each of them the very best in the next chapter of their journey.”
