Laura Swanson has joined Warner Bros. Records (WBR) as Executive Vice President, Media & Strategic Development – making her the first major appointment by WBR Co-Chairman & COO Tom Corson, who started at the label on January 2nd.
Based at WBR’s Burbank headquarters, Swanson begins at the company on January 22nd and will report to Corson.
She will oversee media strategy for Warner Bros.’ genre-spanning roster of artists, as well as play a key role in a wide range of company and executive initiatives.
“I am thrilled to join Tom Corson and the amazing Warner Bros. Records’ team in this new adventure,” said Laura Swanson.
“With Tom’s leadership, expertise, creative genius and proven track record combined with the label’s new artistic vision and all the amazing artists who call Warner Bros. home, I predict magic is on the horizon. I truly appreciate Tom for bringing me on board and look forward to next week’s electrifying Grammy celebration and many successful years at Warner Bros. Records.”
“Laura is one of the most admired and experienced communications execs in our business, with outstanding relationships throughout the artistic and media communities.”
Commented Corson: “Laura is one of the most admired and experienced communications execs in our business, with outstanding relationships throughout the artistic and media communities.
“As our industry continues its rapid evolution, the media landscape is constantly shifting, and Laura has always taken the lead in placing her artists and her labels at the forefront of the most innovative avenues of exposure and development. Our working paths have crossed twice during our careers, at A&M and later at Arista, so I am especially happy to welcome her to the Warner Bros. team at this exciting time in the label’s history.”
Laura Swanson was most recently EVP, Media & Strategic Development at Epic Records, a post she had held since 2014.
At Epic, she worked closely with artists such as Travis Scott, Future, DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor, Fifth Harmony, and Camila Cabello.
She previously spent ten years at Island Def Jam in New York as EVP, Publicity & Artist Relations, where she developed campaigns for Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey, among others.
Swanson began her music industry career at A&M Records in Los Angeles, rising to VP of Publicity and working with artists such as Soundgarden and Sheryl Crow.
She then became VP of Publicity at Interscope/Geffen/A&M before joining Arista Records, where she rose to SVP of Publicity & Artist Relations.
In 2016, she was named on Billboard’s prestigious Women in Music list, which celebrates the 100 most powerful women in the industry.Music Business Worldwide
