Ryan Press named President, N.A. Warner-Chappell Music

Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group, announced the promotion of Ryan Press to President, North America. In his new role, Press will have direct oversight of WCM’s North American business and help drive overall strategy, with a focus on the U.S. and Canada. Vivian Barclay, Managing Director, Canada, will report directly to Press. In addition, Press will remain the publisher’s A&R lead for the U.S., excluding Nashville and Miami, and continue to report to WCM Co-Chairs, CEO Guy Moot and COO Carianne Marshall.

In a joint statement, Moot and Marshall said, “A master connector and dealmaker, Ryan has continued to grow as an exceptional leader and executive, and it’s been incredible to see his progression at Warner Chappell. He’s built a powerhouse U.S. A&R department and an award-winning roster, while becoming a highly regarded mentor to both our songwriters and our people. Ryan’s also been an invaluable partner to us and instrumental in Warner Chappell’s transformation, and we’re very proud to have him broaden his scope to help guide our business in the U.S. and Canada.”

Press remarked, “I’ve been with Warner Chappell for more than 12 years now and taking on this new role is a huge challenge that I’ve been working towards since day one. I’m incredibly humbled and grateful to Guy and Carianne for the opportunity and wouldn’t be here without the support of my incredible A&R team. I’m blessed to get to work alongside them every single day. I also want to thank the inspiring leaders and mentors who prepared me personally to get to this moment and those who came before me and opened the doors for people who look like me to achieve our dreams.”

Press began his career with Warner Chappell in 2009 as Sr. Director, A&R, before being promoted to VP, A&R, followed by Co-Head, A&R, U.S., and then President, A&R, U.S. Prior to Warner Chappell, Press helmed Press Conference Management, an artist, songwriter, and producer management firm, and worked as a creative consultant at Notting Hill Music Publishing. He earlier served in a co-management capacity at the J. Erving Group, and was also a manager and record producer at Day One Productions.

In 2020, Press was named as a founding member of the advisory panel for the Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, where he helps oversee the $100 million effort to invest in organizations focused on underserved populations, with heightened attention given to Black communities.