YouTube has appointed Stephen Bryan as its new head of label relations.
In his new role, Bryan, who joins the company from SoundCloud, will report directly to YouTube’s global head of music Lyor Cohen. The pair previously worked together at Warner Music, before Bryan joined SoundCloud in 2014, where he played a key role in securing label licensing deals.
Commenting on Bryan’s appointment, Cohen said: “At YouTube, we have over a billion viewers and thousands of label partners and Stephen is going to be the bridge that brings them together. As that crucial link, he's going to help labels and artists dream up new opportunities to reach fans around the world.”
Prior to joining YouTube in September 2016, Cohen served as CEO of Warner Music Group’s recorded music group and president of Def Jam. It is thought that his appointment at YouTube was intended to help smooth relations between YouTube and record companies and artists.
“Lyor is a lion of the music industry,” Robert Kyncl, YouTube chief business officer, said at the time of his arrival. “From Rush to Def Jam to Island Def Jam to WMG then 300, he has consistently been a pioneer, charting the course for where music is heading. As we enter the growth era of the music industry, Lyor is in a position to make tremendous difference in accelerating that growth in a fair way for everyone. We are thrilled to welcome him to YouTube.”
