The Magazine

Warner Music Group today announced that two key employees would receive promotions in an effort to strengthen its recorded music arm and digital development in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Warner Music's Digital Distribution Going to Sony DADC: Sources

Leanne Sharman has been promoted to Vice President & Managing Director for Digital Strategy & Business Development in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Jacob Key has been promoted to Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Development in Europe.

Warner Music Group Spent Less, Revenue Remained Flat in Holiday Quarter

The two appointments will serve to bolster the recorded music division in an area the company sees as crucial to future digital growth. "Europe has been leading the development of several of the most important new growth areas in the industry's digital evolution," said Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Development Stephen Bryan in a statement. "These promotions not only solidify our European digital business development team, but also ensure that the expertise we have in the region is informing our broader global strategy."

Video: Edgar Bronfman Jr. Says Warner Music Will Fight Universal-EMI Merger 'Tooth and Nail'

Sharman, based out of London, will be tasked with developing digital business with both new and veteran companies in her spheres and helping to push forward the company's digital strategy, while Key, based in Stockholm, Sweden, will be tasked with expanding and accelerating Warner's subscription partnerships and telco bundle deals throughout Europe, as he had previously done as Vice President, Commercial Strategy & Business Development, Nordic since 2011.

Google Music an 'Oxymoron' Says Outgoing Warner Music Group Chairman Edgar Bronfman, Jr.

Both Sharman and Key have had previous experience in the digital and mobile realms before moving to Warner, with Sharman holding executive-level positions with Napster UK, MP3.com Europe, and Fox Kids Europe, and Key having served as founder and CEO of Globalmouth before signing on to Warner in 2005.