Craig Kallman to Leave Longtime Post at Atlantic Records for Elevated Role at Warner Music

Warner Music Group has created a new senior corporate role, chief music officer, and promoted industry veteran Craig Kallman to fill it. Kallman, who will report directly to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl from New York, assumes this position just over a year after taking on an identical title at the company's Atlantic Music Group division. This promotion effectively centralizes creative strategy at the highest level of the major label.

Kallman's storied career began in 1987 when he founded the independent Big Beat Records from his bedroom. The label was acquired by Warner Music Group in 1991, the same year Kallman joined Atlantic Records as a vice president. His rise through the ranks was consistent: he was named co-president in 2002 and ascended to chairman and CEO by 2005. During his long tenure at Atlantic, he was instrumental in developing the careers of superstar artists including Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, and Bruno Mars. A central responsibility in his new corporate-wide role will be to personally oversee the relaunch of the Big Beat imprint and sign new talent directly to it.

This executive reshuffle follows a significant leadership change at Atlantic last September, which resulted in the departure of longtime chair/COO Julie Greenwald and the appointment of Elliot Grainge as CEO. Kallman, who was named Atlantic's chief music officer during that transition, has spent the intervening year nurturing its roster, which features acclaimed acts like Janelle Monáe and Lizzo. "I’m deeply grateful for my time at Atlantic," Kallman stated. "Seeing Elliot take the helm and open a bold new chapter has been great. I am excited to work alongside our outstanding global A&R teams in this new role and to reimagine the Big Beat brand as a cross-genre force."

Kallman has already acted on his new mandate, securing the first signing for the revived Big Beat: sought-after producer Elkan. Elkan, whose credits include co-producing Drake and PartyNextDoor's "Nokia" and Metro Boomin and Young Thug's "Metro Spider," will release his debut EP, "The Baby Bundle," this Friday via Atlantic. This move is seen as a deliberate strategy to establish Big Beat as a hub for top-tier production talent. Music industry analyst David Chen observed, "Starting with a producer is a savvy play. A label built around a core of in-demand producers can naturally attract vocal artists looking for collaborators, which is a classic model for building a influential roster, much like how Jermaine Dupri's So So Def operated in the 90s."

In a statement, WMG CEO Robert Kyncl emphasized Kallman's extensive experience and future importance. "Craig has helped shape the sound and direction of modern music, leaving a lasting imprint," Kyncl said. "With decades of experience working at the highest level with the biggest stars, he will be an invaluable creative force... helping drive A&R strategy and artist development across WMG." The appointment highlights Warner Music Group's reinforced corporate commitment to artist development as a fundamental competitive advantage in the streaming-dominated landscape, where discovering and breaking new talent is more critical than ever.