Atlantic Records 
Warner Music Group 
Broadly speaking, record-label bosses tend to have similar backgrounds, rising through A&R, promotion or management ranks, usually hitting a massive success that lands them the big job. And while Max Lousada, Warner Music Group’s head of recorded music, has followed some of that model, his background is unusual by any stretch, and is reflected not just in WMG’s approach to music but in the roster itself. Among the acts Variety’s Executive of the Year oversees are Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran,...
Warner Music Group
Max
Lousada
CEO, Recorded Music
Warner Music Group paid more than $100 million for the catalog and future recordings of superstar David Guetta and struck a 360 partnership with East African artist Diamond Platnumz and his WCB-Wasafi label, but Lousada’s focus on global growth went beyond repertoire. Having elevated Simon Robson to international president of recorded music in late 2020, he lured Cat Kreidich from Sony Music in March to head indie distributor and label services provider ADA Worldwide. Lousada also installed managing directors in 10 territories, some from outside, like new Warner Music Canada president Kristen Burke, and others through promotion. Plus, WMG landed Russian indie label Zhara Music and launched a Russian division for Atlantic alongside a new Pan-Asian dance label, Whet Records, in China.
