Jean-Sebastien ‘Seb’ Permal has been named as SVP of A&R, EMEA and Central Europe, Warner Music.
In this newly-created role, Permal will lead all domestic frontline activity across the recently expanded Warner Music Central Europe and its domestic labels across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Permal will also spearhead A&R strategy, artist discovery and signings, and strategic partnerships across EMEA, including cross-cultural collaborations.
“His appointment underscores Warner Music’s dedication to local artistry and enhances the company’s infrastructure for scaling talent from regional breakthroughs to global success,” said a statement.
Permal has joined Warner Music from Sony Music, where he most recently served as VP of A&R for Continental Europe and Africa. He reports to both Simon Robson, president, Warner Music EMEA, and Niels Walboomers, president, Warner Music Central Europe.
Permal has a track record in artist development, international repertoire and strategic partnerships, working with Amelie Lens, Dystinct, Oxlade, Purple Disco Machine and Sam Feldt.
At Sony Music, he also built key partnerships, including Avalon (Netherlands and Morocco), Crux Global (Ghana) and Signatune (France), as well as founding the electronic label Noted Records, home to Anfisa Letyago and Victoria De Angelis of Maneskin.
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
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.”
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.”
Jean-Sebastien Permal, SVP of A&R, Central Europe & EMEA, Warner Music, said: “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."
In 2017, Permal joined Four Music, Sony Music Germany’s label, before expanding his A&R remit across all of Continental Europe and Africa in 2018. He then went on to be named director of A&R for Continental Europe and Africa in 2021, before his promotion to vice president of A&R in 2022.
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