Warner Music Group Corp 8-K, filed Apr 14, 2025
Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG)
About this 8-K
Warner Music Group Corp filed this 8-K on April 14, 2025, reporting on events of April 10, 2025.
Items reported
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 7.01: Regulation FD disclosure
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 14, 2025 (
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| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers |
Appointment of CFO
On April 10, 2025, an affiliate of Warner Music Group Corp. (the “Company”) entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Armin Zerza, pursuant to which he will be appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective May 5, 2025.
Most recently, Mr. Zerza, age 55, served as CFO of Activision Blizzard. Beginning in 2015, Mr. Zerza served as CFO and then COO of Blizzard Entertainment and as Chief Commercial Officer and then CFO of Activision Blizzard. Beginning in 2004, Mr. Zerza served successively as Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, CFO, Europe Baby Care and CFO, Latin America for Procter & Gamble. Mr. Zerza holds a master’s degree in economics and commerce from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
The Employment Agreement has a term of approximately 4 years ending on May 12, 2029 and provides for a base salary of $1,200,000, a target annual cash bonus of $1,800,000 (with the actual award value to be determined by the Company in its sole discretion based on factors including the strength of Mr. Zerza’s performance and the performance of the Company) and an annual grant of Restricted Stock Units or RSUs with an aggregate pre-tax, grant date target value of $6,000,000. The RSUs will be granted under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Zerza will receive a one-time signing bonus payment of $1,000,000 and a one-time award of options to purchase Class A common stock of the Company with an aggregate pre-tax, grant date target value of $4,000,000. The options will vest in four equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date.
The Employment Agreement further provides that, if Mr. Zerza’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Zerza for “good reason,” subject to his execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, he will receive 18 months of his base salary paid over 12 months and 100% of his target bonus for the fiscal year of termination. If Mr. Zerza’s employment is terminated in connection with a change of control of the Company, Mr. Zerza will receive 12 months of his total annual compensation (salary plus target bonus plus RSU target) in cash paid over 12 months. If, at the end of the term, there is a “qualifying non-renewal,” Mr. Zerza will receive 12 months of his base salary paid over 12 months and a prorated bonus for the fiscal year of termination.
There are no family relationships between Mr. Zerza and any director or executive officer of the Company, and no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Zerza and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as CFO. Mr. Zerza is not a party to any current or proposed transaction with the Company for which disclosure is required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the complete text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which will be filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2025.
Departure of CFO
On April 14, 2025, the Company announced that Bryan Castellani will step down as Executive Vice President and CFO, effective May 5, 2025.
The Company expects to enter into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Castellani pursuant to which Mr. Castellani will provide advisory services to the Company in order to facilitate an orderly transition. In addition to the benefits provided by his Employment Agreement, the Company expects the Separation Agreement to provide that Mr. Castellani will receive certain other benefits.
The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement, a copy of which will be filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2025.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On April 14, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the leadership changes described in this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The information furnished under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (d) | Exhibits. |
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated April 14, 2025. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted embedded within the Inline XBRL). | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Warner Music Group Corp. | ||||||
| Date: April 14, 2025 | By: | /s/ Paul M. Robinson | ||||
Paul M. Robinson Executive Vice President and General Counsel | ||||||
Exhibit 99.1
WARNER MUSIC GROUP APPOINTS ARMIN ZERZA AS EVP & CFO EFFECTIVE MAY 5
Accomplished Leader from Activision Blizzard and Procter & Gamble
NEW YORK, NY – April 14, 2025: Warner Music Group Corp. (Nasdaq: WMG) today announced that Armin Zerza is joining the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 5, reporting to CEO Robert Kyncl. Zerza brings extensive global financial, commercial, and operational leadership experience, most recently serving as CFO of Activision Blizzard, while it was traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. At the same time, it was announced that current EVP & CFO Bryan Castellani will serve until May 5, and then act as advisor to ensure a smooth handover.
Zerza comes to WMG with three decades of experience across the entertainment, technology, and consumer goods industries. During his time at Activision Blizzard, he served as CFO, Chief Commercial Officer, and played a pivotal role in the company’s acquisition by Microsoft. At Activision Blizzard, Zerza played a crucial role in shaping and executing strategies that supported significant growth and value creation. His proven track record in driving sustainable financial performance, along with deep expertise in managing complex global operations, positions him perfectly to contribute to continued success at WMG.
Kyncl said: “Armin arrives with 30 years of global experience and a track record of delivering outstanding results through operational excellence, commercial innovation, and financial discipline. He’ll help us evolve our long-term strategy and build WMG for the lasting benefit of our artists, songwriters, investors, employees, and partners.”
Kyncl added: “I’d also like to thank Bryan for his invaluable contributions to WMG. He’s been a great partner and exemplary team player during many important moves, positioning the company for sustained success. All of us wish him the best in his next chapter.”
Zerza said, “I am thrilled to join WMG, a dynamic and innovative leader in the music industry. I believe the business has tremendous potential and look forward to working closely with Robert and the talented team at WMG to help deliver its ambitious vision for innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.”
Castellani said “It’s been a rewarding experience to contribute to the ongoing evolution of this great company. There’s so much we achieved at a pivotal time for the industry. I thank Robert, the Board of Directors, and everyone at WMG, especially the global finance team.”
Zerza joined Activision Blizzard in August 2015 following more than 20 years of senior leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, serving in North America, Europe, and Latin America. He held a number of CFO roles across P&G, including on multibillion-dollar businesses such as its European Baby Care and Latin America divisions as well as the company’s global M&A team. Zerza holds a Master’s Degree in Economics and Commerce from Vienna University of Economics and Business.
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