Ryan Press is the President of A&R, U.S. for Warner Chappell Music. In this role, he oversees the publishing company’s A&R department in Los Angeles and New York, which is responsible for nurturing and signing both emerging and established artists, songwriters and producers.
Throughout his extensive career in the music industry, Press has worked closely with an array of acclaimed songwriters and producers, such as Rihanna, Rae Sremmurd, DJ Khaled, Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill, T-Minus, Tayla Parx, Gucci Mane, Mike Elizondo, Aloe Blacc, The-Dream, Priscilla Renea, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, Mike WiLL Made-It & Ear Drummers, The Stereotypes, Tay Keith, Ross Golan, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Murda Beatz, Hitmaka (Yung Berg), Southside, Yeti Beats, Santigold, and many others. Under his leadership, the publishing company signed hitmakers Lizzo, Tones and I, Ava Max, Sean Douglas, Summer Walker, Mike WiLL Made-It, the estate of Pop Smoke, Quincy Jones, Saweetie, DA Doman, Greta Van Fleet and X Ambassadors.
Press began at Warner Chappell Music in 2009 as Senior Director, A&R, before being promoted to Vice President, A&R and then Co-Head, A&R, U.S. Prior to joining WCM, Ryan founded Press Conference Management, an artist, songwriter, and producer management firm, and worked as a creative consultant at Notting Hill Music Publishing. Previously, he served in a co-management capacity at the J. Erving Group, and was also a manager and record producer at Day One Productions.
Press has been named one of Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players for the last four years running, as well featured in its 40 Under 40 Power Players list in 2015. Last year, he was also recognized on Variety’s ‘New Leaders’ report as well as it’s Hitmakers list.