Tony Harlow is leaving his role as CEO of London-based Warner Music UK.
In an internal note sent to Warner colleagues today (September 2), and obtained by MBW, Harlow said: “I have a bittersweet announcement to make”.
He added: “I’ve had a lot of luck in my career so far. Six years ago that luck culminated in the opportunity to lead a company I love, full of artists that I care about, back in the country where I was born. I’m sad therefore to announce my decision to step down from my role as CEO of Warner Music UK at the end of October.”
Harlow initially joined Warner Music Group in 2010 as Managing Director for Australasia, where he played an instrumental role in breaking artists such as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa.
In 2016, Harlow was promoted to the role of President for Warner’s then global artist services arm, WEA – a position for which he relocated from Sydney, Australia to New York City.
Harlow was named the leader of Warner Music UK in late 2019, taking up the position in February 2020.
“I’ve realised that my departure would create new long-term opportunities and space for our amazing senior management team to continue to grow as individuals and as leaders.”
Tony Harlow
In his memo to Warner staff today, Harlow said that he’s “only making this announcement now after thinking long and hard about our team and what needs to be done for the UK to lead the world again.”
He added: “I’ve realised that my departure would create new long-term opportunities and space for our amazing senior management team to continue to grow as individuals and as leaders.”
Commenting on Harlow’s departure in a separate memo sent to staff today, also obtained by MBW, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, said: “Tony’s impact over his 15 years at Warner Music Group has been immense. In three very different roles…CEO of Warner Music UK, President of WEA, and MD for WM Australasia…he has delivered fantastic results. Throughout, his passion for artists, belief in our teams, and determination to innovate have been the hallmarks of his approach.”
“Tony’s impact over his 15 years at Warner Music Group has been immense.”
Robert Kyncl, Warner Music Group
Kyncl added: “I’ve heard from others about Tony’s first years at WMG – how he helped new artists break globally out of Australia, and how he evolved the way we work while running WEA (now WMX).
“I met him in his latest post, after he had become CEO in the UK, and it was immediately clear that he was pouring all his decades of knowledge and experience into this one role and fulfilling a career ambition.”
Kyncl continued: “Tony is announcing his decision now, when it helps provide new possibilities for the talented leadership team he’s mentored. He’s successfully positioned the company for long-term success, and I deeply appreciate his commitment to seeing through the transition as we navigate ongoing change.”
WMG’s CEO promised that there will be “more to share on our plans for the UK this week”.
Inevitable questions will now be raised over whether Harlow’s exit may herald a new structure for Warner Music UK’s team – and how it interacts with (and reports to) the company’s US and international label network. MBW will keep you posted on any news there in the days and weeks ahead.
Tony Harlow started his music industry career at EMI in the UK, rising through the company’s international marketing ranks before moving to Australia to become Managing Director, EMI Music Australia in 1997.
Harlow returned to the UK in 2002 as CEO of Richard Branson’s V2 label, where he worked with acts such as Moby, The White Stripes, and Stereophonics, as well as setting up Co-Op Music.
Following V2’s acquisition by Universal Music Group in 2007, Harlow briefly headed the International Marketing team before joining Bravado, UMG’s merchandise operation.
You can read extracts from Harlow’s memo below:
Friends,
Today, I have a bittersweet announcement to make.
I’ve had a lot of luck in my career so far. Six years ago that luck culminated in the opportunity to lead a company I love, full of artists that I care about, back in the country where I was born.
I’m sad therefore to announce my decision to step down from my role as CEO of Warner Music UK at the end of October.
I want to be clear, I’m only making this announcement now after thinking long and hard about our team and what needs done for the UK to lead the world again. I’ve realised that my departure would create new long-term opportunities and space for our amazing senior management team to continue to grow as individuals and as leaders.
In considering this decision, I’ve probably delayed through thinking about what an honour it has been to lead this UK company. To work daily with the people who sign and develop talent like Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Fred again.., Charli xcx and Coldplay. To come to work daily in a place where people love what they do. To meet and work with artists who have made musical history – from Robert Plant to Liam Gallagher, Cliff Richard to Spandau Ballet. Their stories alone make it worthwhile. But most of all to get to know you all and be part of our culture.
I wanted to share three fundamentals that have guided our leadership team and which I hope you will continue to draw strength from, as it’s your collective determination that has made our success possible.
Our belief in UK talent as the best in the world is unwavering…UK music represents the best of our country, in its ability to mix and match, and bring cultures together. We’ve seen it so clearly in the high of Brat Summer last year, or the optimism of the Oasis reunion this year. Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to be on the front lines as British talent has driven global conversation – whether it be Punk and Post Punk, New Romantics, Two Tone, Grime, Trip Hop, Lovers Rock, Dance Music or BritPop. This country has pulled strands together to make something special and I believe firmly that creativity will rise again.
Our teamwork that delivers for artists no matter what – Artists sign to big record companies because they want their creativity to reach the world. And I believe there are three things that entice them to Warner Music – our commitment to stop at nothing to develop them; our expertise drawn from working with multiple artists across multiple partners in the market; and our global network of people who care.
Whatever we’re dealing with, you guys always inspire and support each other, and it’s been a beautiful thing to see and be part of. Everyone can have access to a lot of numbers and data, it’s how to use them that matters – and that’s where you have all made so much difference.
Our commitment to having a bigger impact – This business is truly democratic – our music speaks to everyone, everywhere. So, for our company to succeed, it needs to reflect that, and I’m proud of all our UK efforts to engage with social changes sweeping the world.
I’ve also been amazed by people’s willingness to support good causes and most notably to get around the country with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Generator, The Ultimate Seminar and other partners to let young people know the music business isn’t a closed shop.
I’ve been lucky enough to follow my passion for finding new music, and had the related benefit of working with some of the most creative people in the world and watching them craft masterpieces that change people’s lives. Work that brings happiness and solace, excitement and meaning all at once.
I have had the habit of signing off, Venceremos (Together WE will win!). My Spanish is too poor to change that to “Together YOU will win!”, but I truly mean that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will miss you.
You can also read Robert Kyncl’s memo below:
Hi everyone,
As you’ve just heard from him, after six years as CEO of Warner Music UK, Tony Harlow has decided to step down at the end of October.
Tony’s impact over his 15 years at Warner Music Group has been immense. In three very different roles…CEO of Warner Music UK, President of WEA, and MD for WM Australasia…he has delivered fantastic results. Throughout, his passion for artists, belief in our teams, and determination to innovate have been the hallmarks of his approach.
I’ve heard from others about Tony’s first years at WMG – how he helped new artists break globally out of Australia, and how he evolved the way we work while running WEA (now WMX). I met him in his latest post, after he had become CEO in the UK, and it was immediately clear that he was pouring all his decades of knowledge and experience into this one role and fulfilling a career ambition.
Over the last six years, we’ve benefited hugely from the full range of his capabilities: from developing a new generation of British talent…to finding new audiences for global supertars…from skillfully providing evidence before the Parliamentary inquiry on streaming…to encouraging young people from across the UK to seek a career in the music industry with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and others. We’ll miss his intellectual curiosity, independent spirit, and encyclopaedic love of music.
Tony is announcing his decision now, when it helps provide new possibilities for the talented leadership team he’s mentored. He’s successfully positioned the company for long-term success, and I deeply appreciate his commitment to seeing through the transition as we navigate ongoing change.
Simon Robson and I will have more to share on our plans for the UK this week. But in the meantime, on behalf of everyone at the company, I thank Tony for his extraordinary contributions, and wish him the absolute best.
