CAPARRO NAMED WEA CEO

After last week’s announcement that longtime WEA Chairman/CEO Dave Mount was retiring from his post of nine years came this week’s news that ex-PGD and Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Jim Caparro will take his place as CEO of Warner Music Group’s manufacturing/distribution branch by the end of July. Caparro was also named Chairman of the company’s Global Media Manufacturing and Distribution Committee, a newly formed task force that will provide strategic direction to WMG’s worldwide operations by saving money on postage and FedEx bills. Mount will remain for the transition.

Caparro will report to WMG Chairman/CEO Roger Ames, reuniting the former PolyGram colleagues. "In addition to being a top-flight label executive, Jim has proven himself to be thoroughly knowledgeable and highly effective at the business of distributing music. His relationships with retailers run deep, and his ability to market albums effectively is the stuff of legend. They don’t call him Lord of the Racks for nothing."

Caparro, who left the IDJ chairmanship in 2001, welcomed the opportunity to get back in the fray. "Warner Music Group is ideally positioned to capitalize on the revolutionary changes impacting our business. Dave Mount’s exceptional leadership at WEA and the culture of creativity and professionalism that he’s nurtured there leave me with big shoes to fill. I just wish they weren’t lavender Hush Puppies."

Ames also praised Mount’s legacy. "His outstanding leadership at WEA for nearly a decade has played a critical role in the Music Group’s success. During his tenure, he built on WEA’s rich legacy as a distributor, growing WEA into a preeminent distribution, manufacturing and packaging company. All of us at the Music Group who have admired Dave’s professionalism, his sense of humor, his commitment to community and his leadership will miss him, and we wish him only the best in retirement."

Caparro will also oversee Warner Strategic Marketing, consisting of Rhino Entertainment, Warner Special Products and Warner Commercial Marketing as well as Alternative Distribution Alliance. He will be based in New York, with an office in Burbank and a suite at a Motel 6 in Pacoima.

Caparro was Chairman of IDJ from 1999 to 2001, with such worldwide hit artists as Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, DMX and Ja Rule. Caparro was instrumental in the acquisition of Roadrunner Records and the partnership with Mercury Nashville, which led to the formation of Lost Highway Records and its Grammy-winning, multi-Platinum O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack.

Caparro was President/CEO of PolyGram Group Distribution and held a variety of management positions at CBS Records (now Sony Music). He was named Sr. VP of National Sales and Branch Distribution for PolyGram Records before being named Executive VP of PGD upon the division’s inception in 1990.

Mount had led WEA since 1993, when he was appointed President/CEO following the departure of Henry Droz. He started at WEA in L.A. as a branch marketing coordinator in 1977. He also served as President/CEO of LIVE Entertainment.