Cat Kreidich, who has been president of Warner Music’s distribution company ADA for the past four years, is stepping down from her post, the company announced on Tuesday.
In the course of her tenure, she has secured deals with the Three Six Zero and Rostrum labels; signed artists including Paris Hilton, Banks and first-ever distro deals for Kesha and Flume; expanded the company’s presence worldwide, via Sua Musica (Brazil), Qanawat and Rotana (in the Middle East) and Africori (in Africa).
Below are Kreidich and WMG CEO Robert Kyncl’s notes to the staff on the transition.
To the ADA Team,
I wanted you to hear this news directly from me: After four transformative years proving that Warner Music Group and ADA can truly be the best home for independent artists and labels, I have made the decision to leave the company. While organizational change is a constant in our industry, I believe the foundation we’ve established will continue to serve independent artists effectively.
We built an exceptional global team and expanded our global release volume, revitalized our brand identity, and developed a digital platform specifically designed for independent artists and labels within the Warner supply chain. We made strategic acquisitions like RSDL, which Warner will go on to use to help fuel their entire recorded music business.
This journey represents my second chapter with ADA. My first began during the early years of digital transformation, when I transitioned from a music tech startup. Having completed one of the first of its kind “New Media” degrees at Emerson College, I was drawn to the possibilities of digital disruption and the independent music scene. When I came across ADA in the ’00s, it was supporting breaking independent acts at an unprecedented scale, pioneering new approaches while music was being democratized globally through emerging digital platforms like iTunes, eMusic, and mobile entertainment.
When I returned four years ago as an executive from The Orchard and Sony, I brought a vision to recapture that pioneering spirit and transform ADA to better compete in an increasingly crowded landscape of innovative music technology companies. We didn’t aspire to be the biggest distribution company, but rather the most valuable—valuable to our artist and label partners by offering expert guidance and measurable results, and valuable to Warner Music Group by helping build its ecosystem and reputation for supporting independent artists. We believed that Warner Music Group and ADA were better together, each strengthening the other’s capabilities and reach, and I think we’ve proven that out. As the company begins its next chapter, WMG is committed to continuing to expand the depth and range of ADA’s services.
To the ADA labels and artists who keep the heart of this industry beating: thank you for your dedication, creativity, and passion. I’ve been inspired by your relentless drive and your vision. You champion creativity, and prove that independence doesn’t mean going it alone—it means doing it your way. You are shaping the future of music, and I remain passionate about the independent music community and will continue to champion its growing importance.
While I’m not ready to announce my next chapter, I look forward to sharing those plans when appropriate — it will be consistent with the work I have been grateful to do for the last 20 years as an indie advocate.
With gratitude and appreciation,
CAT
***
Hi everyone,
As some of you will have just heard from Cat, after four years leading ADA, she has made the decision to leave WMG. You can read her note below.
Cat is a class act. A bold thinker and decisive leader, she’s always focused on what’s best for the indie community – its artists, its labels, and its spirit. Under her leadership, ADA has grown its relationships across the creative ecosystem, expanded its global reach, and strengthened its team and tech. She’s helped guide us through some major shifts, staying agile, and delivering results.
We’ll give an update on ADA leadership this week. For now, a huge thank you to Cat for helping set us up for success. We wish her all the best.
Thanks,
Robert
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