POWER 50 2025: Dan Rosen (Warner)

BACKGROUND CHECK:

With a career that has featured roles in the legal profession, government advisory, and more, Dan Rosen is someone who has had many focuses in his professional life, but none more important than his first career with Unearthed winning band Second Dan. Having previously served as the CEO for both ARIA and the PPCA, the past five years have seen him occupying the role of President of Warner Music Australasia, with that role expanding to include Records & Publishing in late 2024.

The role further expanded this month with the announcement of Rosen’s expanded remit across Southeast Asia. 

With a focus on pushing for artists’ rights and industry reform, and speaking from the point of view of a former musician, Rosen occupies a unique role in the music industry, having the experience of the artist, and approaching it all with a broad and thoughtful perspective.

THE YEAR IN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC:

Doubling down on his mission to make Australian artists global and global artists feel local, Rosen’s efforts have seen his Australian team roll out major campaigns for homegrown acts like RÜFÜS DU SOL, Thelma Plum, Boy Soda, Esha Tewari, Budjerah, Kita Alexander, and Oliver Cronin, helping drive more than 50% growth in global exports for Warner Music Australia’s local roster. On the publishing side, he’s strengthened the creative ecosystem by signing The Jungle Giants’ Sam Hales to a worldwide Warner Chappell deal, and presenting further international co-writing opportunities along the way.

Being awarded an Honorary Fellowship for his efforts and impact on Australia’s cultural and creative economy by Monash University, Rosen has continued as a key voice in shaping the future of the Australian music industry. He’s petitioned the Senate for stronger local content quotas on commercial radio, advocated for fair and protective copyright frameworks in the AI era, and helped drive long-term growth strategies through his roles on the ARIA and PPCA boards. As the only major-label president overseeing both Records and Publishing, Rosen is dedicated to building a cohesive, creative ecosystem which is to help Australian artists thrive on home turf and break into the international ecosystem.

THE MUSIC SPEAKS:

Rosen’s focus on export for his local roster is in line with Warner’s global focus for its artists, with local artist chart successes thinner on the ground in 2025, but with more focus outside Australia showing significant export growth. 

The RÜFÜS DU SOL powerhouse continues its global march, Warner is using its leverage to push James Johnston and Sara Berki into Nashville. Boy Soda has delivered an incredible record that we hope gets another push in the new year and nobody can accuse Rosen of not putting Thelma Plum and Kita Alexander front and centre in industry faces at every opportunity. 

Faced with the same challenges as his major label counterparts when it comes to breaking music domestically and increased pressure on local investment, Rosen will have the opportunity in his new Southeast Asian role to potentially explore new opportunities and synergies that can continue to expand the horizons of the local roster in new markets.

On the international roster front, Rosen is flying, with a radio market share hovering around 30% for most of the year and tag-teaming with Universal as second driver for most of the slots on the ARIA Chart. 

The cost cutting and expanded responsibilities handed to Rosen over the last few months will stretch his team’s hands-on abilities locally, but there’s a steely determination to get an Australian hit away and we’re willing to bet 2026 could be the year.