19 Influential Music Leaders Around the World to Know

Last updated: 6 August 2026.

Music is shaped by artists, audiences, companies, rights systems and the people who connect them. The names below come from recorded music, streaming, live entertainment, publishing, rights and creator organisations.

This is a recognition directory, not a scorecard. The people are arranged alphabetically by first name so the order does not suggest a score or position. Each profile is based on a current public role source and a distinctive fact source.

Why music leadership matters.

Music leaders work across creative decisions, technology, law, culture and business. Their choices affect how songs are made, found, licensed, performed and remembered.

For a leadership consultant, the useful lesson is that influence often comes from making a system work for other people. The organisations below show different versions of that work, from creator advocacy and publishing to product design, touring and global rights.

1. Alexis Lanternier

Chief Executive Officer.

Alexis Lanternier is chief executive officer at Deezer. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Deezer’s current results page connects the CEO role with responsible AI, artist remuneration and transparent music services. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

2. Alex Norström

Co-Chief Executive Officer.

Alex Norström is co-chief executive officer at Spotify. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Spotify’s current leadership message names Norström and Gustav Söderström as co-CEOs from January 2026. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

3. Andrea Czapary Martin

Chief Executive Officer.

Andrea Czapary Martin is chief executive officer at PRS for Music. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

PRS for Music’s current governance page identifies Martin as CEO in its member-led rights operation. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

4. Björn Ulvaeus

President.

Björn Ulvaeus is president at CISAC. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

CISAC’s presidency bio identifies Ulvaeus as an ABBA co-founder and notes Music Rights Awareness with Max Martin. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

5. David Israelite

President and Chief Executive Officer.

David Israelite is president and chief executive officer at National Music Publishers’ Association. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

The NMPA profile records Israelite’s advocacy around the Music Modernization Act and the Mechanical Licensing Collective. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

6. Dean Ormston

Chief Executive Officer.

Dean Ormston is chief executive officer at APRA AMCOS. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

APRA AMCOS describes Ormston as a long-serving CEO who advocates with governments on creator rights and cultural value. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

7. Gustav Söderström

Co-Chief Executive Officer.

Gustav Söderström is co-chief executive officer at Spotify. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Spotify’s current board information identifies Söderström as a co-CEO and director after a product and technology leadership path. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

8. Guy Moot

Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer.

Guy Moot is co-chair and chief executive officer at Warner Chappell Music. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Warner Music Group’s leadership page identifies Moot as Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

9. Harvey Mason jr.

Chief Executive Officer.

Harvey Mason jr. is chief executive officer at Recording Academy. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Mason’s official biography identifies him as the first Black CEO in Recording Academy history. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

10. Jody Gerson

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Jody Gerson is chairman and chief executive officer at Universal Music Publishing Group. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Universal Music’s executive profile identifies Gerson as the first woman to lead a major music publisher and notes She Is The Music. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

11. Joe Berchtold

President and Chief Financial Officer.

Joe Berchtold is president and chief financial officer at Live Nation Entertainment. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Live Nation’s current executive page identifies Berchtold as President and CFO. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

12. Lucian Grainge

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Lucian Grainge is chairman and chief executive officer at Universal Music Group. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Universal Music’s executive profile records Grainge’s long tenure and leadership of the EMI acquisition. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

13. Michael Rapino

President and Chief Executive Officer.

Michael Rapino is president and chief executive officer at Live Nation Entertainment. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Live Nation’s biography identifies Rapino as CEO since 2005 and records the creation of Live Nation Productions in 2016. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

14. Mitch Glazier

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Mitch Glazier is chairman and chief executive officer at Recording Industry Association of America. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

RIAA’s leadership material connects Glazier with the Digital Performance Right and Music Modernization Act coalition. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

15. Robert Kyncl

Chief Executive Officer.

Robert Kyncl is chief executive officer at Warner Music Group. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Warner’s executive page identifies Kyncl as CEO and records his previous senior role at YouTube. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

16. Rob Stringer

Chairman of Sony Music Group and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment.

Rob Stringer is chairman of sony music group and chief executive officer of sony music entertainment at Sony Music Group. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

Sony Music’s executive profile identifies Stringer in both roles across its global recorded music operations. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

17. Thomas Coesfeld

Chief Executive Officer.

Thomas Coesfeld is chief executive officer at BMG. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

BMG’s current company page identifies Coesfeld as CEO across publishing, recordings and artist services. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

18. Victoria Oakley

Chief Executive Officer.

Victoria Oakley is chief executive officer at IFPI. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

IFPI’s appointment announcement says Oakley became CEO in June 2024 and leads a global record-company network. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

19. Youssou N’Dour

Vice-President.

Youssou N’Dour is vice-president at CISAC. The current public source identifies the role and places the work inside a global music organisation.

CISAC announced N’Dour as a Vice-President for global creators’ rights in June 2026. This is why the profile is useful for anyone trying to understand how music is made, shared, protected or supported. Read the official source for the current detail.

What these profiles have in common.

The people on this list work in very different parts of music, but their roles share a pattern. They create conditions for other people to do good work, whether that means protecting rights, building platforms, developing artists, running tours or keeping a creative community connected.

That is a useful leadership test in any sector. Ask what becomes possible for other people because your role exists, then build your decisions around that answer.

Related reading.

If you are thinking about how teams work together, read the Working Genius FAQ, Leading with Discernment and Enablement and Working Genius for Leaders.

Final note.

Roles and organisations can change. Check the linked source before relying on a current title or company relationship. This article is a recognition directory, not an endorsement or recommendation.

Jonno White is a Brisbane-based leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and the author of Step Up or Step Out. He works with schools, corporates and nonprofits around the world. To enquire about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.