Warner Music Group Names Hannah Karp Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer

Warner Music Group has appointed Hannah Karp as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, with her role commencing on January 26. She will be taking over from James Steven, who left the music giant last month for a position at its competitor, Universal Music Group. Based in New York, Karp will report directly to WMG's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kyncl.

In this pivotal role, Karp is tasked with leading the company's worldwide communications and brand marketing initiatives. Her responsibilities will extend to managing all internal and external messaging, as well as supervising WMG's philanthropic activities and special events. CEO Robert Kyncl expressed strong confidence in the hire, stating, "Hannah's expert insights, sharp instincts, and innovative approach to storytelling make her the ideal leader to help shape and communicate our future-focused vision during a time of rapid and dynamic evolution." He further highlighted her deep industry connections, noting she brings "invaluable relationships and a broad perspective shaped by over two decades at the center of the music and media conversation."

Karp arrives at WMG following an eight-year tenure at Billboard, the iconic music industry publication, where she most recently served as Editor-in-Chief. Her promotion to that top editorial role came in 2018, just one year after she initially joined the outlet as News Director. Prior to her time at Billboard, Karp built a formidable 13-year career as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal. There, her coverage was notably diverse; while she reported extensively on the music business, her beats also included sports, travel, and the economy, with assignments that took her to news bureaus in London, Brussels, and São Paulo. This global experience is expected to be a significant asset for WMG's international strategy.

In a related development, Billboard moved swiftly to fill its leadership vacuum. Earlier on Tuesday, the publication announced the promotion of Leila Cobo and Jason Lipshutz to the shared role of Co-Chief Content Officers. They will now oversee all editorial operations, effectively succeeding Karp. Both executives will report to Billboard CEO Mike Van. This restructuring occurs within a larger media landscape, as Billboard is a sister brand to Variety under the ownership of Penske Media Corporation, a major player in entertainment journalism. Industry analysts suggest that high-level executive movement between major labels and top trade publications underscores the increasingly intertwined relationship between media and the businesses they cover, a dynamic Karp is uniquely positioned to navigate.