Warner Music Group have announced the appointment of Mark Baker as vice-president, public policy & government affairs.
Baker, who will be based at WMG’s New York headquarters, will oversee the company’s public policy positions and initiatives.
He will also serve as its primary liaison with governmental and regulatory bodies across the globe and will report to WMG executive vice-president & general counsel Paul Robinson and EVP, communications & marketing James Steven.
Both Steven and Robinson said: “Mark brings an extraordinary depth of experience, intellect, and insight to this important post. This is a transformational time for the creative community, and we as an industry must remain super-vigilant to ensure that the rights and interests of our artists, our songwriters, and our companies are protected, and the value of music is not merely maintained but enhanced.
“Decisions made today will set the course for the music industry for decades to come. With his extensive global background, Mark will be an outstanding voice for the WMG family at the intersection of the arts, business and government.”
Baker has spent over 20 years working on international trade policy and regulatory matters, multilateral trade negotiations, tax policy, and trade-related industry standards.
For the past 15 years, he has worked at Diageo, a global leader in the beverage alcohol industry, most recently serving as director, global trade and regulatory affairs. He began his career as an international trade specialist at the US Department Of Commerce, followed by a stint as VP, international trade for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
