Armin Zerza is exiting his twin function as CFO and COO of Warner Music Group, efficient instantly.
A press launch issued by WMG right this moment (July 31) acknowledged that Zerza is leaving the corporate for “private causes”.
The information comes two months after Zerza added the COO function to his place as CFO of WMG.
That transition noticed Zerza prolong his oversight at WMG to incorporate company improvement, central advertising and marketing, enterprise and market intelligence, and WMX.
WMG says it has initiated a proper seek for its subsequent CFO.
Lou Dickler, at present SVP, International Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at WMG, has been appointed Performing CFO.
Zerza will stay out there to WMG by means of the top of the fiscal yr to help the transition, stated Warner; the corporate’s fiscal yr ends on September 30.
“Armin has been an instrumental chief and member of the manager crew throughout a vital interval of progress and transformation,” stated Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group.
“We thank Armin for his excellent enterprise and monetary management and enduring contributions to WMG, and we want him all the most effective,” Kyncl stated.
WMG described Dickler as “a deeply revered finance chief throughout the group,” and stated he “has beforehand served on this capability.”
“Armin has been an instrumental chief and member of the manager crew throughout a vital interval of progress and transformation.”
Robert Kyncl, Warner Music Group
Dickler was appointed Performing CFO of WMG as soon as earlier than, in November 2021, when then-CFO Eric Levin started a medical depart of absence.
Armin Zerza joined Warner Music Group as EVP and CFO in Might 2025, succeeding Bryan Castellani.
Earlier than WMG, Zerza spent a decade at Activision Blizzard, the place he served as CFO and Chief Industrial Officer.
He performed a job within the gaming firm’s $68.7 billion acquisition by Microsoft, which closed in 2023.
Earlier than that, he held finance roles at Procter & Gamble for greater than 20 years.
Brian Castellani had joined WMG in October 2023 from The Walt Disney Firm, the place he was CFO of Disney Leisure and ESPN.
In its most up-to-date quarter, ended March 31, WMG reported complete income of $1.73 billion, up 12.1% year-on-year at fixed forex.
On the accompanying earnings name, Zerza instructed analysts that WMG had “delivered on our sustainable progress mannequin, accelerating core progress, margin growth, and money move productiveness.”
“Behind a worthwhile progress engine that pairs disciplined capital allocation and rigorous value administration with industry-leading inventive and AI initiatives, we’re well-positioned to create vital long-term worth for our shareholders,” Zerza added.Music Enterprise Worldwide
