Warner Music has appointed Jean-Sebastien ‘Seb’ Permal as Senior Vice President of A&R, EMEA and Central Europe.
In the newly-created role, Permal will lead all domestic frontline activity across Warner Music Central Europe and its domestic labels in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium.
He joins from Sony Music, where he most recently served as VP of A&R for Continental Europe and Africa.
Permal will also lead A&R strategy, artist discovery and signings, and strategic partnerships across EMEA.
He reports to both Simon Robson, President, Warner Music EMEA, and Niels Walboomers, President, Warner Music Central Europe, and will be based in Berlin.
Warner Music combined its recorded music businesses in Benelux with those in Germany, Switzerland and Austria under the WM Central Europe banner in October, with Walboomers named President of the expanded region.
The company says the territories that make up WM Central Europe represent the third-largest recorded music market in the world, after the US and Japan, based on IFPI trade revenue figures.
Across a career spanning over a decade, Permal has worked with Amelie Lens, DYSTINCT, Oxlade, Purple Disco Machine, and Sam Feldt.
At Sony Music, he built partnerships including Avalon (Netherlands and Morocco), Crux Global (Ghana), and Signatune (France).
“Seb is a world-class A&R executive who pairs an intuitive ear for talent with a sophisticated grasp of the cultural nuances shaping today’s global market.”
Simon Robson, Warner Music
Simon Robson, President of EMEA, Warner Music, said: “Seb is a world-class A&R executive who pairs an intuitive ear for talent with a sophisticated grasp of the cultural nuances shaping today’s global market.
“His appointment underscores our commitment to the vibrant talent across EMEA and ensures our artists are supported by the industry’s best.
“With Seb’s leadership, we’re perfectly positioned to amplify our artists’ reach and connect them with audiences on a truly global scale.”
“He has a proven track record of nurturing artists from the ground up and helping them maintain their authentic voice.”
Niels Walboomers, Warner Music
Niels Walboomers, President, Warner Music Central Europe, added: “I have long admired Seb’s creative vision and his data-driven, yet artist-centric, approach to A&R.
“He has a proven track record of nurturing artists from the ground up and helping them maintain their authentic voice while achieving big success. Having him join our team in Berlin is a major win for Central Europe and the wider EMEA region.”
Commenting on his appointment, Permal added: “I joined Warner Music because of its ambition not just to discover talent, but to redefine how artists break at home, across the region, and globally.
“I’m excited to work with our teams to build the partnerships and infrastructure that turn local sound into global culture.”
“I joined Warner Music because of its ambition not just to discover talent, but to redefine how artists break at home, across the region, and globally.”
Jean-Sebastien Permal, WARNER MUSIC
Born and raised on Mauritius, Permal moved to Europe in 2014, first to Vienna and then to Germany, where he launched his career as an independent manager and music publisher.
He joined Four Music, Sony Music Germany’s label, in 2017, before expanding his A&R remit across Continental Europe and Africa in 2018. He was named Director of A&R for Continental Europe and Africa in 2021, before his promotion to Vice President of A&R in 2022.
His appointment follows the launch of Spinnin’ Records Germany in April, as Warner Music Central Europe continues to build out its operations across the region.
Elsewhere at Warner Music globally, the company promoted Jieun Kim to President of Warner Music Korea in May.
Also in May, Warner Music Finlandlaunched Atlantic Records Finland, a frontline label led by Fredi Lundén and Kristiina Wheeler.Music Business Worldwide
