Brands & Merch Business News Labels & Publishers

Boss of Warner Music owned merch company EMP stands down

By Chris Cooke | Published on Wednesday 24 May 2023

Warner Music has announced that the CEO of EMP – the Germany-based merchandise and online retail business it acquired in 2018 – is standing down.

Ernst Trapp has headed up EMP since 2013 and oversaw its acquisition by the major. Via that deal, EMP became part of Warner’s services division WEA, which subsequently rebranded as WMX. In 2021, Trapp also took on the wider role of President Global E-Commerce, Retail & Licensing for the whole Warner Music Group.

Confirming Trapp’s departure yesterday, Warner noted: “Trapp has led EMP since 2013, working with globally renowned artists such as Guns N Roses, Metallica, Nirvana, Panic! At the Disco and Twenty One Pilots, as well as major entertainment brands including Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel and Star Wars. Under his leadership, EMP has developed a network of websites serving eighteen countries, with a community of millions of customers, and a fast-growing loyalty programme”.

Trapp himself stated: “I’ve had an amazing time leading EMP through many changes over the last decade. We emerged from each challenge stronger than ever and the company has a bright future ahead of it. But now is the right time for me to move on and pursue new opportunities, knowing that the amazing team at EMP are in a good place”.

Meanwhile, WMX President Maria Weaver added: “I want to pay tribute to Ernst for his incredible leadership at EMP and the contribution he’s made more widely to WMX and Warner Music Group. He’s always understood the key role merch can play in helping nurture the relationship between artists and fans. I’d like to wish him all the very best in his next adventures”.

EMP’s CFO and COO Jan Fischer will help lead the company until a new CEO is appointed.