A Major Move in Music’s Fastest-Growing Market
Here’s the thing: Warner Music Group just handed over the keys to its Asia-Pacific division to one of the most dynamic figures in the entertainment-tech space. Lo Ting-Fai, better known as Lofai, has been named President of Warner Music Asia-Pacific (APAC), effective August 11. This isn’t just a corporate shuffle it’s a strategic play in a region that’s rapidly becoming the epicenter of global music consumption.
Lofai will report directly to Warner Music Group (WMG) CEO Robert Kyncl and be based in Hong Kong. The announcement lands the same day WMG reported its Q3 2025 results, showing a 9% revenue jump driven by streaming and live entertainment underlining how critical the APAC region is to the label’s future.
Why This Appointment Matters
Robert Kyncl has been reorganizing Warner’s leadership since last year, installing regional heads with clear mandates: grow market share, deepen artist pipelines, and expand beyond traditional revenue channels. With Simon Robson now overseeing EMEA and Alejandro Duque leading LATAM, Lofai rounds out the leadership trio in what’s arguably the most culturally and commercially diverse region: Asia-Pacific.
This region isn’t just a growth market it’s the growth market. From K-pop’s global dominance to the explosive rise of regional streaming platforms, APAC holds both artistic and economic power. Lofai steps in at a pivotal moment. As Kyncl himself said:
“Lofai will oversee many of our highest priority markets, with culturally diverse music scenes, filled with next-generation talent and iconic copyrights. He brings his creative flair, business acumen, and connections throughout the digital economy to this super important role.”
Who is Lofai?
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lofai is far from a conventional record executive. He started in radio, pivoted to advertising with top agencies like Wieden+Kennedy and CTWCM, then became Apple’s Creative Director for Asia Pacific. He later joined telecoms giant PCCW, where he served as COO of Viu, a major OTT streaming platform, and CEO of its entertainment arm MakerVille.
He’s also a creative in his own right having written songs under the pseudonym “Yu Ri.” That duality of business and artistry could prove invaluable as Warner looks to connect local artists to global audiences.
Lofai’s academic background spans the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Oxford, and Harvard Business School, giving him both regional roots and global polish.
“I’m excited to be taking up this incredible role,” Lofai said. “WMG has been rewriting the rules for how a music company operates. I look forward to collaborating with Robert and our teams to help more Asian artists hit the global stage and build passionate, loyal fanbases.”
A Response to APAC Challenges and Opportunities
Warner Music has faced mounting competition in Asia, especially in China. In May, Kyncl cited “market share pressure” in China as a reason for slower Q1 growth. Hiring Lofai is part of a broader fix it’s about reclaiming lost ground while capitalizing on a music scene that’s evolving faster than anywhere else.
This isn’t the first time WMG has invested in regional leadership. In 2021, it brought on Sherry Tan to head recorded music in Mainland China. But Lofai’s appointment goes further he’s now responsible for all recorded music territory heads across APAC.
Expect him to push forward in markets like South Korea, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia, where streaming and live events are reshaping how music is discovered, monetized, and shared.
Warner Music’s Bigger Picture: Streaming, Live Events, and Risk
Lofai’s appointment wasn’t the only headline Warner dropped this week. The company also reported a 9% revenue increase in Q3 2025, driven by a 22.6% surge in live entertainment and steady streaming growth. Still, there are concerns.
Free cash flow dropped sharply to just $7 million, down from $160 million a year ago. That’s largely due to aggressive reinvestment in technology and live events. Adjusted OIBDA (operating income before depreciation and amortization) rose 18%, showing that cost-cutting and restructuring are working but liquidity remains tight.
“WMG’s focus on hybrid strategies streaming + live events could define the next decade of music,” noted industry analyst David C. Lowery. “But cash flow needs to stabilize before investors fully buy into the model.”
This hybrid vision puts leaders like Lofai in charge of turning vision into reality. His track record in streaming, creative development, and tech partnerships makes him uniquely qualified to do just that.
What This Means for Artists and the Industry
For artists across Asia-Pacific, Lofai’s leadership could open new doors. WMG has already shown interest in building localized rosters with global appeal. Under Lofai, we can expect deeper partnerships with regional platforms, more artist development programs, and a more integrated approach to monetizing music from TikTok virality to arena tours.
The industry will be watching closely. Lofai’s success or failure could set a precedent for how Western labels engage with non-Western markets, not just as “emerging regions,” but as creative powerhouses in their own right.
Final Word
Lo Ting-Fai’s appointment is more than a personnel change. It’s Warner Music putting a flag in the ground in a region that will define the future of global music. With the right blend of local knowledge, global strategy, and creative instincts, Lofai might be the one to pull it off.
But the stakes are high and the clock’s already ticking.
