Carletta Higginson has joined Warner Music Group (WMG) as Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer. Effective 16th October, she will be responsible for the company’s digital partnerships and commercial innovation. Higginson will report directly to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl who is a former colleague.
It’s rare to find someone of Carletta’s multifaceted expertise – who understands the full scope of the music publishing and recorded music businesses as well as the dynamics of streaming, social media, and AI. She has great commercial instincts, a sharp legal mind, and a collaborative approach to building well-aligned partnerships. As we pioneer the future of music with our artists and songwriters, she’ll be an invaluable addition to our senior management team.
Robert Kyncl, CEO Warner Music Group
One of the big three recording companies with a Global market share of 16%, WMG widened its business to include digital media operations in 2018. Operating in 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, Higginson will be fundamental in broadening the company’s revenue streams. In 2022, WMG generated an annual revenue of $5.919 billion.
Before WMG, Higginson worked at Google for a decade. She joined the technology giant in 2013 as Manager, Music Partnerships, YouTube. She was then promoted to Corporate Counsel, Global Music, Head of Music Publishing Business Development, North America – YouTube and Google Play Music, and later Director, Music Publishing, North America YouTube and Google Play Music.
This is a very exciting time to be in music with many new avenues opening up. I’ve worked closely with the outstanding team at WMG for many years, and I’m very happy to be joining Robert and everyone at WMG to help chart the future together. Above all, I’m a huge fan of the company’s incredible roster of songwriters and artists.
Carletta Higginson
Since 2019, she has served as Director, Global Head of Music Publishing at Google. In this role, she oversaw YouTube’s licensing strategy and was in charge of building and maintaining relationships with publishers, collection societies, and Public Relations Officers. Additionally, Higginson’s duties included negotiating digital licensing and partnership agreements, managing existing partnerships, launching new relationships, and developing new business opportunities. She also spearheaded the buildup of numerous initiatives designed to support artists, songwriters, and producers on YouTube.
Higginson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from New York University and a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law. She began her career as a litigator in the entertainment industry. She was a Litigation Associate at Pryor Cashman Sherman & Flynn, LLP and a Partner in the Litigation Department at Jenner & Block LLP.