WEA Restructures

WEA today announced a strategic reorganization intended to better position the music giant in a rapidly evolving physical and digital retail environment.

Over the past several years, WEA Corp.’s role as WMG’s retail sales and distribution arm has grown to include it’s independent distribution network, label incubator initiative, a digital-only label, the e-Commerce group and the global management and distribution of WMG’s digital assets.

According to the press release the new WEA structure will encompass four distinct units:

• OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION: This function will be led by Mike Jbara who has been elevated to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Jbara joined WEA in 1996 and most recently, as Senior Vice President, Production and Media Operations, oversaw all operational aspects of the pre-production, production and distribution of WMG content. 
• SALES ANALYSIS, CREDIT AND FINANCE: This function will be led by Matt Signore who has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and General Manager. Signore joined WEA in August 2005 as CFO and was previously CFO and General Manager of Island Def Jam.
• SALES, MARKETING AND DEVELOPING MARKETS: This function will be led by   Todd Van Gorp who has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Van Gorp joined WEA in 2003 and most recently was WEA’s Vice President, Field Sales for the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest regions.
• E-COMMERCE: E-Commerce continues to be led by Adam Mirabella, Senior   Vice President, e-Commerce. Mirabella oversees WEA’s team of account managers who coordinate directly with WMG’s digital service providers and wireless carrier partners. Mirabella joined WEA Corp. in 2003 after positions at Atlantic Records and Coca-Cola.  

Asylum and East West, WMG’s incubator labels, and Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) also part of WEA are not impacted by today’s announcement. The company also announced the departure of Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, John Madison.

Apparently few if any other staff reductions will result of today’s announcement. The changes announced today are effective immediately.

Read the full press release here.