Variety
Lawrence Peryer named CEO of Artist Arena
by Chris Morris, Variety, February 7, 2012
Exec will head WMG’s artist-to-fan division
Lawrence Peryer has been named CEO of Warner Music Group’s artist-to-fan division Artist Arena, the company announced internally on Tuesday.
At the same time, Artist Arena founder Mark Weiss will move to a new role as senior vp of global branding for WMG.
Artist Arena is an umbrella for fan Web sites, and offers pre-sale ticket deals and other perks to club members.
Peryer most recently headed his own company, the music and corporate branding firm 23 Omnimedia. He was previously president of UltraStar Entertainment, now a division of Live Nation Entertainment. He has worked with such acts as the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, David Bowie, Destiny’s Child and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Announcing Peryer’s appointment to staff, WMG senior vp of worldwide artist services David Marcus said, “Lawrence is a first-class entrepreneur, with a passionate artist-centric philosophy and a deep understanding of how to bring technology and entertainment together with spectacular results.”
Weiss had led Artist Arena since its founding in 2004. He will continue to work with the division in an advisory capacity.
Marcus said Weiss “will be involved in a unique initiative to revitalize and expand the Warner Music brand itself.”
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