Armin Zerza is exiting his dual role as CFO and COO of Warner Music Group, effective immediately.
A press release issued by WMG today (July 31) stated that Zerza is leaving the company for “personal reasons”.
The news comes two months after Zerza added the COO role to his position as CFO of WMG.
That transition saw Zerza extend his oversight at WMG to include corporate development, central marketing, business and market intelligence, and WMX.
WMG says it has initiated a formal search for its next CFO.
Lou Dickler, currently SVP, Global Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at WMG, has been appointed Acting CFO.
Zerza will remain available to WMG through the end of the fiscal year to support the transition, said Warner; the company’s fiscal year ends on September 30.
“Armin has been an instrumental leader and member of the executive team during a crucial period of growth and transformation,” said Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group.
“We thank Armin for his outstanding business and financial leadership and enduring contributions to WMG, and we wish him all the best,” Kyncl said.
WMG described Dickler as “a deeply respected finance leader within the organization,” and said he “has previously served in this capacity.”
“Armin has been an instrumental leader and member of the executive team during a crucial period of growth and transformation.”
Robert Kyncl, Warner Music Group
Dickler was appointed Acting CFO of WMG once before, in November 2021, when then-CFO Eric Levin began a medical leave of absence.
Armin Zerza joined Warner Music Group as EVP and CFO in May 2025, succeeding Bryan Castellani.
Before WMG, Zerza spent a decade at Activision Blizzard, where he served as CFO and Chief Commercial Officer.
He played a role in the gaming company’s $68.7 billion acquisition by Microsoft, which closed in 2023.
Before that, he held finance roles at Procter & Gamble for more than 20 years.
Brian Castellani had joined WMG in October 2023 from The Walt Disney Company, where he was CFO of Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
In its most recent quarter, ended March 31, WMG reported total revenue of $1.73 billion, up 12.1% year-on-year at constant currency.
On the accompanying earnings call, Zerza told analysts that WMG had “delivered on our sustainable growth model, accelerating core growth, margin expansion, and cash flow productivity.”
“Behind a profitable growth engine that pairs disciplined capital allocation and rigorous cost management with industry-leading creative and AI initiatives, we are well-positioned to create significant long-term value for our shareholders,” Zerza added.Music Business Worldwide
Armin Zerza has stepped down from his dual roles as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Warner Music Group (WMG), effective immediately. This decision was announced through a press release on July 31, indicating that Zerza’s departure was due to « personal reasons. » His exit comes just two months after he assumed the COO responsibilities in addition to his CFO duties, which expanded his oversight to areas such as corporate development, central marketing, business and market intelligence, and WMX (Warner Music Group’s digital marketing division).
Following Zerza’s departure, WMG has begun a formal search for his successor as CFO. In the interim, Lou Dickler, who is currently the Senior Vice President, Global Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer at WMG, has been appointed as Acting CFO. Dickler has a respected reputation within the organization and has previously held the role of Acting CFO back in November 2021 when the former CFO, Eric Levin, took a medical leave of absence.
Zerza will continue to support WMG through the end of the fiscal year, which concludes on September 30. Robert Kyncl, the CEO of Warner Music Group, expressed gratitude for Zerza’s leadership during a pivotal period of growth and transformation for the company. Kyncl noted, “Armin has been an instrumental leader and member of the executive team” and thanked him for his exceptional business and financial contributions.
Zerza joined WMG as Executive Vice President and CFO in May 2021, succeeding Bryan Castellani. Before his tenure at WMG, Zerza had a decade-long career at Activision Blizzard, where he held the positions of CFO and Chief Commercial Officer. He played a significant role in the gaming company’s $68.7 billion acquisition by Microsoft, which was finalized in 2023. Prior to his time at Activision Blizzard, Zerza worked at Procter & Gamble for over 20 years in various finance roles.
In the latest quarterly report for WMG, which ended on March 31, the company reported a total revenue of $1.73 billion, reflecting a 12.1% increase year-on-year at constant currency. During the earnings call, Zerza highlighted WMG’s successful execution of its sustainable growth model, emphasizing core growth, margin expansion, and cash flow productivity. He stated, “Behind a profitable growth engine that pairs disciplined capital allocation and rigorous cost management with industry-leading creative and AI initiatives, we are well-positioned to create significant long-term value for our shareholders.”
As WMG transitions to new leadership in its financial department, the company remains focused on its growth strategy and maintaining its position within the music industry.
