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Warner Music Canada Appoints New Co-GMs Julia Hummel & Madelaine Napoleone

The Toronto-based executives and Billboard Canada Women in Music honourees will jointly guide Warner Music Canada’s next chapter as the company restructures its leadership.

Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone

Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone

Courtesy Photo

Warner Music Canada has named Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone as its new co-general managers, the company announced today.

The Toronto-based executives — both Billboard Canada Women in Music 2025 honourees, and with Hummel also recognized on Billboard Canada’s 40 Under 40 list — will jointly lead the company’s strategy across one of the world’s top music markets.


Hummel and Napoleone will report to Eric Wong, president of East West Records and head of global A&R for recorded music at Warner Music Group.

Before their promotions, Napoleone was VP of marketing and Hummel served as VP of digital strategy and business development. Both joined Warner Music Canada in 2022.

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The leadership shift arrives as Warner Music Group continues implementing a global plan to streamline operations and increase investment in music. It also follows the recent departure of Kristen Burke, who previously served as president of Warner Music Canada.

“Madelaine and I are excited to shape the next phase of Warner Music Canada’s growth,” Hummel said in an exclusive statement to Billboard Canada. “We’re committed to strengthening the bridge between our global artists and Canadian fans, and to ensuring that Canadian voices are heard on the world stage.”

“Julia and I are proud to help Canadian artists leverage Warner Music’s global network while building more opportunities for international talent here in Canada,” Napoleone added. “Our passion for music and dedication to supporting artists remain at the core of our work.”

Wong said he has “the utmost confidence” in their leadership, citing their combined expertise in marketing and digital strategy as key to advancing the company’s Canadian business.

The company also confirmed that Andy West, who served as EVP and general manager for the past three years, has exited the company.

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Madonna at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, broadcasting live from the Peacock Theater on Sunday, September 27, 2026 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.
Stewart Cook/CBS

Madonna at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, broadcasting live from the Peacock Theater on Sunday, September 27, 2026 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

Awards

Here Are All the 2026 MTV VMAs Winners: Full List

Madonna & Taylor Swift came into the night the top nominees, and they were also the biggest winners.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards took over LA on Sunday night (Sept. 27), and some of the biggest names in music gathered in the Peacock Theater to find out who would take home a Moon Person (or seven). Madonna was the telecast’s biggest winner, taking home seven prizes in total, including three onstage wins: artist of the year, best dance (her Confessions II short film) and best collaboration (“Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter).

The next big winner: Taylor Swift, who accepted the first-ever Artist Director Honors (before premiering her latest self-directed video, for her brand-new track “Patient Zero”) and returned to take home the final award of the night: video of the year for “The Fate of Ophelia”; she also won best direction for “Opalite.”

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