Industry veteran Michael LoBiondo has joined Warner Chappell Music as head of business development, the company announced on Wednesday. Based in Los Angeles and reporting to CEO Guy Moot and global CFO David Woirhaye, LoBiondo’s role will include identifying and executing acquisitions and partnerships for the publisher’s songwriters and song catalog.
LoBiondo most recently worked at artist development company mtheory, whose roster includes A$AP Rocky, Twenty One Pilots and Major Lazer. Prior to mtheory, he spent a number of years as senior director at WCM’s parent, Warner Music Group, where he supported the 2013 acquisition of Parlophone Label Group and a number of Series A music technology investments. He began his career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs.
“Michael brings with him a wealth of experience in music and business development from both the recorded and publishing sides of the business,” said Moot and COO Carianne Marshall in a joint statement. “With music becoming increasingly more global, his wide-ranging expertise will be instrumental in helping us execute big picture deals such as catalog acquisitions and partnerships with emerging technology companies.”
LoBiondo added, "Warner Chappell is committed to building long-term value for its songwriters while fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking culture for its team. With increased activity around catalog acquisitions and new digital platform licensing, the company is ideally positioned to further capitalize on opportunities in the market and I'm excited to contribute to the growth of the company.”
LoBiondo arrives at a time of accelerated growth for Warner Chappell, which saw its revenues grow 15.7% to $192 million during its second fiscal quarter.
LoBiondo added, "Warner Chappell is committed to building long-term value for its songwriters while fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking culture for its team. With increased activity around catalog acquisitions and new digital platform licensing, the company is ideally positioned to further capitalize on opportunities in the market and I'm excited to contribute to the growth of the company.”
LoBiondo arrives at a time of accelerated growth for Warner Chappell, which saw its revenues grow 15.7% to $192 million during its second fiscal quarter.
NEWS
Lola Young has joined forces with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to release a new T shirt for the charity’s Lifelines collection.
The shirt supports CALM’s suicide prevention work, with proceeds helping to fund vital resources such as its helpline and CALMzone mental health app.
CALM introduced the Lifelines range last year, with Fontaines D.C., Blossoms and Inhaler also contributing their own designs to the collection.
Young’s design includes the words, “There’s a flicker of light. There’s always morning after the night”, taken from her track ‘Flicker Of Light’.
“I wrote this song about realising there is hope. I have often felt like there isn’t, but there is always a reason to keep going,” Young said. “That’s even when you don’t want to get out of bed, you do, and that is amazing, and you’re still here, and you’re still alive, and if anything, that’s something to be proud of.”
CALM CEO Simon Gunning also shared his appreciation for the collaboration, saying: “We couldn’t be more grateful to Lola for supporting ‘Lifelines’ and showing just how powerful music can be as a force for good.”
Priced at £30, the T shirts come in both standard and boxy fits and are available to purchase here.
Young has regularly spoken about her experiences with mental health. She returned to performing earlier this year after calling off her 2025 tour because of exhaustion. The decision followed her collapse during a performance in New York City. During her time away, she later discussed receiving support for addiction and attending AA meetings as part of her recovery.
In an interview with NME in May, Young explained that she believes “all healing journeys are never ending”, although she is now “definitely in a much better place”. She also said she feels “excited and ready to perform and to release music”.
Reflecting on the encouragement she received after publicly discussing those challenges, Young said: “My fans inspire me in the same way I hope to inspire them. I feel like I’ve never tried to be especially honest… it just comes very naturally to me.”
“I don’t really have any other choice but to be honest, so if people connect to that, and that’s amazing.”
Several musicians have also applauded the ‘Messy’ singer for honestly addressing the pressure placed on touring performers. Lily Allen said she was “in awe” of the BRIT and Grammy winner, while Victoria Canal credited Young with bringing greater attention to the damaging impact demanding tour schedules can have on artists’ mental wellbeing.
When NME asked whether musicians were beginning to establish firmer boundaries around their health, Young replied: “I never intended it to start a movement, but I hope that it does in some way.”
