Last week, the company confirmed its acquisition of the control panel in Tepo Music, valuing the transaction at a reported 450 million dollars. This deal signifies the largest acquisition for the company since Robert Kyncl took the helm as CEO of WMG in 2023.
The TEPO acquisition also represents the first significant deal under Kyncl for Michael Ryan Yuzhny, who was appointed EVP of corporate development at WMG last year.
Strengthening Corporate Development
Today (February 10), WMG announced the enhancement of its corporate development team, led by Michael Ryan Yuzhny. According to the press release, the company aims to “turbocharge” its efforts through mergers and acquisitions.
The move sees Alfonso Perezo Soto appointed as EVP of corporate development focused on recorded music, while Michael Lobiono assumes the role of SVP for corporate development, concentrating on publishing.
The duo reports to Michael Ryan Yuzhny, who stated that these appointments create a “strong engine for mergers and acquisitions, collaborating to identify opportunities across the entire WMG group.”
WMG’s press release further emphasized that these new roles will provide the company with “transaction expertise on both sides of the business” and will enable WMG to “target potential investments and acquisitions in a broad array of musical rights and technologies to accelerate growth.”
Alfonso spent most of the last two decades at Warner Music, beginning his career there and successfully navigating transactions in the rapidly growing Latin American market in the late 2000s, later taking on broader business development roles across various new markets.
Since 2018, he has led Warner Music’s efforts in developing markets, overseeing regions like Africa, Eastern Europe, India, and the Middle East.
In this capacity, Perezo developed and implemented what WMG describes as “a fast growth strategy driven by M&A, geographic expansion, and organic artistic success,” significantly enhancing the label’s presence in these dynamic regions.
Recent transactions in these areas include the acquisition of QANAWAT music by WMG in 2022 and a minority stake in the Indian streaming service, Bellbox.
Leaders in WMG’s developing markets, who previously reported to Perezo, will now report directly to Simon Robson, President of EMEA, recorded music at WMG.
Meanwhile, Michael Lobiono is noted as an “experienced transaction specialist.” Since 2021, he has served as a business manager for Warner Chappell Music, WMG’s publishing arm.
In this role, he was responsible for defining and executing strategic acquisitions and partnerships for key songwriters and their repertoires.
Previously, he held several roles within WMG, supporting various business development and digital technology initiatives, including the acquisition of the Parlophone Label Group and multiple investments in musical technology startups.
“With these meetings, we now have a strong machine for mergers and acquisitions, working together to find opportunities for the entire WMG group.”
Michael Ryan Yuzhny
Michael Ryan Yuzhny stated: “I am pleased that Alfonso and Michael have joined our corporate development team. They are tenacious and curious leaders with a deep understanding of the music industry and its key players.
“With these appointments, we now have a robust engine for mergers and acquisitions, collaborating to uncover opportunities for the entire WMG group.
“We are committed to growing WMG through a blend of organic growth and mergers and acquisitions. Now we have a dedicated task force to identify transactions for each set of rights that will continue to enhance our services for artists and songwriters.”
“Effective corporate development is an accelerated path to achieving revenue growth; accessing catalogs and new repertoires; acquiring local know-how in territories and musical genres; providing artist services; and attracting executive talent.”
Alfonso Perezo Soto
Alfonso Perezo Soto added: “I want to express my gratitude to Mrs. and Robert for the opportunity to lead this initiative.
“As evidenced during my last six years of leading developing markets, effective corporate development is a swift pathway to achieving income growth; gaining access to catalogs and new repertoires; acquiring local expertise in various territories and music genres; enhancing artist services; and attracting executive talent.
“We are adding a human touch to our financial approach, aiming to share this expertise across the entire Warner recorded music ecosystem to globally promote this successful formula.”
“Guy and Carianne were invaluable partners in strategic transactions, creating new opportunities for songwriters. I look forward to continuing this work in service of songwriters with the support of the entire organization and in collaboration with my colleagues in recorded music.”
Michael Lobiono
Michael Lobiono remarked: “Guy and Carianne were tremendous partners, influencing strategic transactions that create new opportunities for songwriters.
“I am eager to continue this work in service of songwriters, backed by the entire organization and in partnership with colleagues in recorded music.”
Lucas focuses on the interaction between music and society. He specializes in how music influences and reflects cultures, analyzing the role of sound in social, political, and cultural events around the world.
