Warner Chappell Music has promoted Daniel Lang to the new role of VP, International Digital Licensing & Society Relations as Jo Smith, who is currently International Director of Society and Industry Affairs, prepares to step down in December.

Lang, who joined the pubco in 2017, moves up from his prior position as VP, Digital Licensing, EMEIA. In his new role, he will continue to be based in London, reporting to Guy Moot, Co-Chair and Chief Executive of Warner Chappell Music.

Lang will also work with the publisher’s local managing directors and financial directors in territories worldwide, as well as Natalie Madaj, SVP, Global Digital. Smith is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.

“Daniel actually pitched the idea of this combined role and we were delighted to take him up on it,” Moot said. “Our writers have benefited hugely from the innovative approach he’s taken to digital licensing and they’re now set to reap the rewards from him taking charge of our relationship with the societies.

“I also want to pay tribute to the amazing Jo Smith, who is moving on to take up new challenges. She’s been a key member of our team for many years and we wish her all the best for the future.”

With the creation of Lang’s role, the publisher has taken the opportunity to harness its work in digital with collection societies internationally, due to the vast majority of revenue for songwriters now coming from online services.

Lang aims to speed up payments to writers from collection societies and “make the whole ecosystem more transparent and efficient.”