She previously worked as a litigator advocating for record labels, music publishers, artists, and songwriters.<\/p>\n
Based in New York, Higginson will report to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl. In her new post, according to WMG, she will oversee “the full spectrum of WMG\u2019s global digital partnerships, from deal-making through account management, while she and her team will explore commercial innovation and forge new digital partnerships”.<\/p>\n
This appointment follows last week’s news of the departure of Oana Ruxandra<\/a> (WMG’s Chief Digital Officer & EVP of Business Development). Her last day in the WMG offices will be this Friday (October 13).<\/p>\n As Global Head of Music Publishing at YouTube, Higginson spearheaded the platform\u2019s licensing strategy, building and maintaining relationships with publishers, collection societies, and PROs.<\/p>\n Her role included negotiating digital licensing and partnership agreements, managing existing partnerships, launching new relationships, and driving new business opportunities.<\/p>\n In addition, she oversaw the development of various initiatives to help creatively support artists, songwriters, and producers on the platform.<\/p>\n Prior to joining Google in 2013, Higginson spent a decade in the legal arena, beginning her career as a securities litigator before transitioning to specialize in the content, media, and entertainment space.<\/p>\n In 2011, she became a partner at Jenner & Block LLP, where she focused her practice on litigating copyright, contractual, and other disputes in the recorded music and music publishing industries.<\/p>\n WMG says that her work resulted in “precedent-setting decisions in copyright law, and the successful defense of copyright owners in a variety of copyright infringement actions”.<\/p>\n Higginson was recognized in 2018 and 2020 by Billboard as one of the most powerful Women in Music and named one of Variety\u2019s New York Women of Impact in 2022. She is a member of the Whitman Circle of the Brooklyn Public Library and is on the Advisory Board for Sound Thinking NYC. She was a 2012 Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and is a 2015 Leadership Music alumna.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s rare to find someone of Carletta\u2019s multifaceted expertise \u2013 who understands the full scope of the music publishing and recorded music businesses as well as the dynamics of streaming, social media, and AI.”<\/p>\n Robert Kyncl<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Kyncl commented: \u201cIt\u2019s rare to find someone of Carletta\u2019s multifaceted expertise \u2013 who understands the full scope of the music “She has great commercial instincts, a sharp legal mind, and a collaborative approach to building well-aligned partnerships. As we pioneer the future of music with our artists and songwriters, she\u2019ll be an invaluable addition to our senior management team.\u201d<\/p>\n Commenting further on Oana Ruxandra<\/a>‘s departure from the company, Kyncl added: \u201cOana\u2019s played a key role in the\u202fevolution of WMG and the music business, across a wide range of revenue streams and different types of innovation. On behalf of everyone at the company, I\u2019d like to thank her for many achievements and wish her all the best in her future entrepreneurial endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve worked closely with the outstanding team at WMG for many years, and I\u2019m very happy to be joining Robert and everyone at WMG to help chart the future together.”<\/p>\n Carletta Higginson<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Higginson said: \u201cThis is a very exciting time to be in music with many new avenues opening up. I\u2019ve worked closely with the outstanding team at WMG for many years, and I\u2019m very happy to be joining Robert and everyone at WMG to help chart the future together. Above all, I\u2019m a huge fan of the company\u2019s incredible roster of songwriters and artists.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.musicbusinessworldwide.com\/files\/2023\/05\/robertkyncl-e1683559135687-80x45.jpeg\")
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\npublishing and recorded music businesses as well as the dynamics of streaming, social media, and AI.<\/p>\n
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