Tony Harlow is the Chairman & CEO of London-based Warner Music UK. He reports to Max Lousada, Warner Music Group‘s global CEO, Recorded Music.
Harlow initially joined Warner Music Group in 2010 as Managing Director for Australasia, where he played an instrumental role in breaking artists such as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa.
In 2016, Harlow was promoted to the role of President for Warner’s global artist services arm, WEA – a position for which he relocated from Sydney, Australia to New York City.
At the time, Warner’s then-international boss, Stu Bergen, said that Harlow had “transformed our business in Australasia” during his six years as MD in that region.
“The UK is a vital source for many of the world’s most influential artists, cultural trends, and creative innovations.”
Tony Harlow, Warner Music UK
Harlow was named the leader of Warner Music UK in late 2019, taking up the position in February 2020.
He said at the time: “The UK is a vital source for many of the world’s most influential artists, cultural trends, and creative innovations. At the same time, it’s been leading the way in erasing the barriers of genre and geography for international talent.
“I’m very happy to be coming home to work with the extraordinary, record-breaking artists and team at WMUK. I’m so pleased I’ll get to continue working with my amazing colleagues at WEA in this new role, and I want to thank Max for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”
Tony Harlow started his music industry career at EMI in the UK, rising through the company’s international marketing ranks before moving to Australia to become Managing Director, EMI Music Australia in 1997.
Harlow returned to the UK in 2002 as CEO of Richard Branson’s V2 label, where he worked with acts such as Moby, The White Stripes, and Stereophonics, as well as setting up Co-Op Music.
Following V2’s acquisition by Universal Music Group in 2007, Harlow briefly headed the International Marketing team before joining Bravado, UMG’s merchandise operation.
Today, the leaders of each of Warner Music UK’s labels – including Atlantic Records UK, Parlophone and Warner Records UK – report into Harlow.Music Business Worldwide