Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
Edgar Bronfman, Jr. is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Music Group (NYSE:WMG), a broad-based music content company with interests in recorded music, music publishing and artist services. WMG is the world's only publicly-traded major music company and home to some of the industry's best-known record labels, including the Atlantic Records Group, Warner Bros. Records and Rhino Entertainment, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, a music publisher that owns and manages some of the most famous copyrights in music history. WMG operates globally in more than 50 countries through numerous international affiliates and licensees.
In 2004 Bronfman led a private investment group in its acquisition of WMG from Time Warner and, in 2005, led the company's initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
Bronfman has guided WMG's transition from a traditional recorded music and music publishing company to a more diverse music content company. Under his management, WMG has established a leading position in the music industry's fast-growing digital marketplace and broadened its revenue streams by building a portfolio of artist services businesses and increasing the number of expanded rights partnerships with its artists. Over that time, WMG has grown from the fourth-largest to the third-largest music company in the world. In 2007 WMG achieved its highest U.S. album market share in ten years and the Company has had the No. 1 label in the U.S. in three of the past four years.
WMG was named one of Fortune Magazine's "Most Admired Companies" in 2007, the first music company ever to receive the honor and, in 2009, was named one of the "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies," by Fast Company magazine.
Prior to joining WMG, Bronfman was the chief architect behind the creation of Vivendi's entertainment division, including Universal Music Group and the Universal Studios film division. While at Universal, he acquired PolyGram, creating the largest and most successful music company in the world, and presided over the revitalization of Universal's film, television and recreation companies. In December 2000, Bronfman sold the Universal entertainment assets to Vivendi and was named Executive Vice Chairman of Vivendi Universal. He served as an officer and executive of Vivendi Universal until 2001, and served as Vice Chairman of Vivendi Universal's Board of Directors until December 2, 2003. The management team he formed at Universal remains one of the industry's most respected.
Prior to the formation of Vivendi Universal, Bronfman was President and CEO of The Seagram Company Ltd., a post he held since June 1994. During his tenure as CEO of Seagram, he consummated $85 billion in transactions and transformed that firm into one of the world's leading media and communications companies. From 1989 until June 1994, Bronfman served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Seagram. Between 1982 and 1989, he held a series of senior executive positions for The Seagram Company Ltd. in the U.S. and in Europe.
Bronfman also serves as general partner at Accretive, LLC, a venture capital firm specializing in the business process outsourcing area. Before assuming his current position at WMG, Bronfman served as Chairman and CEO of Lexa Partners LLC, a management venture capital group based in New York City.
Bronfman serves on the board of InterActiveCorp. He is Chairman of the Board of Endeavor Global, a non-profit organization pioneering a new approach to international development. Bronfman also serves on the boards of New York University Elaine A. and Kenneth G. Langone Medical Center and The Collegiate School. He is a member of JPMorgan's National Advisory Board and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Bronfman is married and resides in New York City. He has seven children. Copyright © 2009 Warner Music Inc.