Madonna Announces New Dance Album with Warner Records

Warner Records, originally launched as Warner Bros. Records in 1958, is one of the most influential record labels in the global music industry and a flagship company within Warner Music Group (WMG)[1][2]. The label was founded by the Warner Bros. film studio primarily to retain control over the recording rights of its contracted stars, after actor Tab Hunter scored a #1 hit with rival label Dot Records[4][6]. Initially focused on the adult popular market, Warner Bros. Records struggled in its early years but gradually found its footing by the 1960s, especially after acquiring Frank Sinatra’s Reprise Records in 1963, which brought in executive Mo Ostin—a pivotal figure in the label’s later success[1][6]. ## Business Model and Operations Warner Records specializes in artist discovery, development, recording, marketing, and distribution of music across all major genres. The label is known for its artist-first philosophy, granting musicians creative control—a rarity in the early days of the industry[1]. This approach attracted a roster of groundbreaking artists and helped redefine popular music. Warner Records operates globally, with a presence in key music markets, and has adapted to technological shifts from vinyl and cassettes to digital streaming[5]. ## Key Achievements and Historical Milestones - **1960s–1970s:** Warner Records became synonymous with the counterculture movement, signing and releasing debut albums by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, the Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix (whose *Are You Experienced* was the first Hendrix album available in the U.S. via Warner)[1]. - **Corporate Expansion:** In 1967, Warner Bros. Records was sold to Seven Arts, which then acquired Atlantic Records, bringing legendary acts like Led Zeppelin and Aretha Franklin into the fold[3][6]. The label became part of the newly formed Warner-Elektra-Atlantic (WEA) distribution network,