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FYI

Universal Music Canada promotes Kristen Burke to EVP and GM

The former Sr. Marketing VP will lead the company’s teams across marketing, digital, commercial affairs, promotions, communications and creative.

Universal Music Canada promotes Kristen Burke to EVP and GM

By FYI Staff

Universal Music Canada has promoted Kristen Burke to executive vice-president and general manager to lead the company’s teams across marketing, digital, commercial affairs, promotions, communications and creative. She reports to Universal Music Canada president and CEO Jeffrey Remedios.  


In making the announcement, Remedios said, “Kristen is the coach and mentor that our artists want in their corner. She is an expert at delivering strategic and commercially successful campaigns and I look forward to breaking more Canadian artists with Kristen in her new expanded role."

Added Burke, who started with the company in 2000 as an assistant in National Sales, and has since spanned roles including marketing manager, director of marketing, senior director of brand partnerships and, most recently, senior marketing VP: “It’s a privilege to work with the brilliant team at Universal Music Canada. I would especially like to thank Jeffrey for his mentorship and inspiration.  I am excited about the opportunities open to our artists in the ever-evolving music landscape.  Canada has an abundance of incredibly talented and innovative artists and we are eager to share these artists with the world.”

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Burke also serves as co-chair of OperaNation, the Canadian Opera Company's premier fundraising event, and its emerging artist development program.

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Val Blavatnik
Courtesy WMG

Val Blavatnik

Business News

Val Blavatnik to Oversee Warner Music Canada in New Role at Warner Music Group

Blavatnik will oversee Warner Music Canada as managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at WMG. As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.

Val Blavatnik, the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik, has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced Friday (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release.

The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take on ADA in the U.S. as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque, who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. (Duque will continue to oversee ADA outside the U.S.) Zach Friedman, currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA U.S. to his resume.

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