Michael Bryan is a forward-thinking music & media executive with a proven track record of scaling platforms, driving global audience growth, and building impactful artist partnerships. At the intersection of creativity, technology, and commerce, he has redefined how audiences engage with music while delivering measurable results for artists, brands, and platforms.

Most recently, Michael served as Global Head of Country Music and Head of Apple Music Nashville, where he architected Apple’s worldwide country strategy and led its Nashville hub across genres. Under his leadership, Apple Music Country surpassed forty billion global streams in 2025, a platform first, fueled by high-visibility campaigns and innovative partnerships with marquee artists including Morgan Wallen. He also transformed Apple’s production and operations infrastructure, designing systems that streamlined workflows, enabled scalable team growth, and created new frameworks for global collaboration.

Earlier in his career, Michael was a Talent Agent at Creative Artists Agency, where he launched the company’s first artist development function and helped guide the global client strategy and creative ambitions of Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Brett Young, and others. He previously held senior leadership roles at iHeartMedia, where he rose to Senior Vice President of Programming, spearheaded national radio strategy, while helping launch The Bobby Bones Show in Nashville - now Country Music’s largest content platform.

Raised in East Tennessee, Michael got his start at his father’s small AM radio station, where he discovered the magic of connecting people through music. That early experience still informs his work today through a belief that music is more than entertainment. For him, it is a cultural force that can unite voices, tell authentic stories, and spark meaningful change.

Recognized on Billboard’s Power Players list multiple times, Michael is regarded as a trusted advisor and innovator in the Nashville music industry. He serves on the board of Family and Children Services Nashville and is passionate about leadership development and mental health advocacy within the creative community.

Now entering the next chapter of his career, Michael is leveraging his experience to partner with artists, platforms, and companies seeking to expand market presence, innovate audience engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities across the evolving global music ecosystem.