Eric Wong has been promoted to executive vice president of recorded music at Warner Music Group, expanding his leadership remit across the company’s global marketing and A&R operations, WMG announced Tuesday (Dec. 16).

In the newly elevated role, Wong will oversee flagship global marketing campaigns and lead global A&R efforts, working closely with WMG’s labels, artists and management teams to drive international storytelling and artist development.

He will continue to serve as president of East West Records U.S. and president of Warner Music Canada, and remains based in New York, reporting directly to Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl.

Wong has been part of WMG’s senior management team for the past five years, during which time he has played a key role in strengthening collaboration across the company’s recorded music labels and international territories.

“Since joining WMG’s senior management team five years ago, Eric has been a driving force behind our mission to forge closer collaboration across our recorded music labels and territories around the world,” Kyncl said in a statement. “His understanding of the international marketplace, combined with his deep marketing and A&R experience along with key relationships across the industry, makes him ideally suited to take on this expanded role as we continue to elevate our talent on the global stage.”

In his dual leadership roles over the past year, Wong has focused on strengthening the connective tissue between WMG’s U.S. and international operations. As head of East West Records U.S., he has helped align markets and guide artists toward broader global opportunities, including supporting breakthrough acts such as Punjabi superstar Karan Aujla, whose album P-Pop Culture debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.

Since assuming leadership of Warner Music Canada in September, Wong has also overseen new executive appointments aimed at sharpening the label’s local and international focus.

“I’m excited to continue working closely with our incredible artists and partners,” Wong said. “It’s a privilege to collaborate with so many talented people, and I’m looking forward to continuing to find new ways to spark creativity, build meaningful connections, and help bring great music to fans everywhere.”

Prior to his most recent posts, Wong served as chief marketing officer of Warner Music’s recorded music division, where he led global marketing initiatives across more than 70 markets. During that time, he helped shape campaigns for artists including Dua Lipa, Charli xcx, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, David Guetta and Coldplay. Before joining WMG, Wong spent nearly a decade at Universal Music Group, most recently as chief operating officer of Island Records.

Tributes from across film, television and music continue to pour in following the death of Rob Reiner, the influential director, writer and actor best known for This Is Spinal Tap and a decades-spanning body of work.

Reiner, and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home earlier this week. Authorities have confirmed that their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested in connection with the investigation, with police treating the case as a homicide.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a family spokesman said in a statement. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

As news of Reiner’s death spread, collaborators and admirers across the entertainment industry shared messages honoring both his creative legacy and personal impact.

Beatles icon Paul McCartney shared a photo of himself with the filmmaker on the set of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Monday (Dec. 15) on Instagram. “What a tragedy the death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, is,” wrote McCartney, who guest starred in the 2025 Reiner-directed Spinal Tap sequel.

“It is so shocking in many ways but for me especially so, because over the last year I had been working with him,” he continued.

“He was such an upbeat, lovable man. Life can be so unfair and this tragedy proves it. His father, Carl Reiner, was a great humourist before him and Rob followed in his dad’s footsteps doing a terrific job making many great films. I will always have fond memories of Rob and the idea that he and his wife will no longer be in the world with us is heartbreaking.”

Meanwhile, Elijah Wood posted on X, “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle (sic). So much love to their kids and family.”

Harry Shearer, who starred in and co-created This Is Spinal Tap, described Reiner as “a friend and collaborator through much of my life,” praising his humor, intelligence and generosity of spirit in a tribute shared on social media.

Director Paul Feig called Reiner “one of my heroes,” writing that he had been honored to count him as a friend. Actor Paul Walter Hauser credited Reiner’s work with shaping his own career, noting that A Few Good Men was “the reason I became an actor” and citing Reiner’s filmography as a lasting inspiration.

Reiner’s influence extended well beyond comedy. While This Is Spinal Tap remains one of the most influential music-related films of all time — widely credited with defining the modern mockumentary — his directorial work spanned genres, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Misery and A Few Good Men.

His films collectively earned multiple Academy Award nominations and became cultural touchstones across generations.

Political figures also weighed in, including former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who described Reiner as “creative, funny, and beloved,” and paid tribute to Singer as his “indispensable partner” in both life and work.

Former President Barack Obama wrote, “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen.”

“But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people — and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”

Reiner is survived by his children Jake, Nick and Romy, as well as his adopted daughter Tracy Reiner, the daughter of his first wife, the late Penny Marshall.

Tracy told NBC News in a Dec. 14 statement on her father’s death, “I came from the greatest family ever. I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”

Rob Reiner’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested over the weekend in connection with the suspected homicide of his father and stepmother, Michele Singer Reiner.

According to law enforcement Reiner and Singer were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Saturday evening (Dec. 14), with reports indicating that both suffered traumatic injuries.

Nick Reiner was located hours later in South Los Angeles, near the University of Southern California campus — approximately 15 miles from the crime scene — and taken into custody around 9:15 p.m., law enforcement officials confirmed.

At a news conference on Monday (Dec. 15), Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the arrest and ongoing investigation.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the Reiners,” McDonnell said, calling the situation “a tragic incident.” He also confirmed that a search warrant had been issued for the Reiner property, adding, “It’s a critical piece of our investigation.”

Nick Reiner, who co-wrote the 2015 film Being Charlie — a semi-autobiographical story about a young man’s battle with addiction — has reportedly struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues for years. Sources told the Los Angeles Times that Reiner had cycled in and out of rehab facilities, experienced periods of homelessness, and had recently moved back into the family’s Brentwood home.

Reiner and Singer’s family confirmed their deaths in a statement yesterday, writing, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

Rob Reiner, 78, was a prolific actor, writer, and director best known for helming classic films including Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, and The Princess Bride.

The son of The Dick Van Dyke Show creator Carl Reiner, he was also known for his social activism and outspoken political commentary. His wife, Michele Singer Reiner, was a photographer and activist in her own right.

Tributes poured in online following the news, with high-profile figures from music, film, politics, and beyond posting tributes to the couple.

From the music world, Paul McCartney shared an emotional Instagram post thanking Reiner “for all the humour” and calling the tragedy “heartbreaking,” while Elton John also paid tribute to the director behind the Spinal Tap films.

Members of Spinal Tap, including Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest (with Jamie Lee Curtis), have issued statements mourning Reiner and describing the deaths as “unspeakable” and “like Greek tragedy.”

As of Tuesday morning (Dec. 16), Nick Reiner remains in custody at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center.

He is being held without bail pending formal charges from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. A preliminary court appearance is expected later this week.

Texas singer/songwriter Joe Ely died Monday (Dec. 15) in Taos, New Mexico, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia, according to his spokesperson. Ely was 78.

Amarillo, Texas, native Ely was raised in Lubbock, Texas, and later moved to Austin and was part of an influential wave of progressive country rock artists who helped establish Austin as a live musical capital. His music crossed lines and helped birth the Americana genre.

“Joe Ely performed roots music like a true believer who knew music could transport souls. His musical style could only have emerged from Texas,” said Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young in a statement. “His true measure came through in the dynamic intensity of his powerhouse live performances, where he could stand his ground aside fellow zealots Bruce Springsteen who recorded duets with Ely, and the Stones and The Clash, who took Ely on tour as an opening act.”

Ely opened for The Clash for the first time in 1979 in Texas, then in the United Kingdom in 1980 on the band’s London Calling tour.  He then opened for the Rolling Stones on several dates in 1981.

Ely had multiple charting albums. His 1981 release Musta Notta Gotta Lotta reached No. 135 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 12 on the Top Country Albums chart. His later work continued to make an impact, with Twistin’ in the Wind peaking at No. 55 in 1998, Streets of Sin at No. 51 in 2003, and Satisfied at Last at No. 46 in 2011 on the Top Country Albums chart. His 1992 album, Love and Danger, included what became one of his theme songs, his cover of Robert Earl Keen’s “The Road Goes on Forever.”

The affable Ely first gained attention in the early ‘70s as a founding member of The Flatlanders alongside Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. As a solo artist, he helped spread country music beyond American borders with his accessible, friendly sound, including playing a rollicking set on the Old Grey Whistle Test in London in 1981.

Ely was honored at April’s American Music Awards hosted at the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University in New Jersey on April 26.  He was also a member of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

Fellow Texas artist Monte Warden of the Wagoneers lamented Ely’s death, posting on social media, “My hero – My template – My friend – Joe Ely passed today. He means as much to me as Buddy, Elvis, or Don Everly. Such an artist. Texan. I’m just…heartbroken.”

Ely is survived by his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie.