Livia Tortella Leaves Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records co-president and chief operating office Livia Tortella has left the label. "This has been one of the most unique and special adventures of my life and I've treasured every moment…
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Warner Bros. Records co-president and chief operating office Livia Tortella has left the label, almost six months to the day after Todd Moscowitz stepped down as president CEO.
With her departure, the Warner Bros. Records management team is now Cameron Strang, who holds the title of chairman/CEO for the label as well as Warner/Chappell, and chairman Rob Cavallo.
“So much has happened since moving out west two years ago,” Tortella wrote in an e-mail to staffers obtained by Billboard. “We have signed and developed some amazing future superstars. This has been one of the most unique and special adventures of my life and I’ve treasured every moment professionally and personally… I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident that we’ve set the stage for even more great music that will continue this company’s legacy for many years.”
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Tortella came to Warner Bros. as part of the team that in September 2010 replaced Tom Whalley, who ran the label for about 10 years. She wasNo. 10 on Billboard’s 2012 Women in Music list.
After thanking Tortella for her contribution to WBR, Strang, in a note sent to staffers that was also obtained by Billboard, said the department heads who reported to her will now report to him.
“Rob and I look forward to working even more closely with you all, and we know that transitions such as these are made possible by the depth and breadth of talent we have at WBR,” he wrote. “As WBR’s Chairman & CEO, my goal is straightforward: I am determined to see our artists, employees and company flourish. Our collective priorities are just as clear: find and nurture extraordinary talent, build the careers of our superstars, and augment the range of services we provide our artists. That’s simple to say, but we’re all aware of how much energy, creativity and hard work go into our achievements. Equally, I know many of you share my opinion that there is still much to accomplish.”
He noted that the label has some amazing new signings, “adding to our existing expertise and aggressively innovating on behalf of our artists. Together, by putting the music first, we will grow WBR’s world-class reputation and lead our industry forward.”
Warner Bros. label share in 2013 to date, through June 2 is 3.94%.
2012 – 2.63% (comparatively, those with greater label share in 2012 for current albums: sister label Atlantic was 5.37%, RCA was 5.56%, Columbia was 10.15%, IGA was 6.33%, Island Def Jam was 4.93%, Def Jam/Def Soul was 2.71%, Republic was 8.91%)
2011 – 5.69% [Michael Buble’s “Christmas” was WBR’s biggest album of 2011, and the 2nd biggest album of the year overall, with 2.5 million old. Only Adele’s “21” was bigger in 2011.)
2010 – 5.89% [Buble’s “Crazy Love” was WBR’s biggest seller, with 1 M.)
2009 – 5.17% [Buble’s “Crazy Love” was WBR’s biggest seller, with 1.2 M.)
2008 – 5.25% [Metallica’s “Death Magnetic” was WBR’s biggest that year, with 1.6 M.)
2007 – 6.74% [Little album called “Noel” by Josh Groban was WBR’s biggest album, and the YEAR’s biggest album, selling 3.7 M that year alone, and giving WBR a big 6.74% label share of current albums in 2007).
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