As announced on Thursday (January 23), Sony Music Entertainment is opening latest centers in Asia and the Middle East that can more directly connect its operations in these regions with the corporate’s New York-based management team.
The company’s long-time CEO will enter India and the Middle East, Shridhar Subramaniam, who has been appointed to the newly created position of president of strategy and market development for Asia and the Middle East. In his latest role, New York-based Subramaniam will proceed to oversee Sony Music in India and the Middle East, while taking over additional responsibility for strategy and market development in Southeast Asia.
“Asia and the Middle East are key emerging drivers of the worldwide music industry and a crucial a part of our current and long-term success,” said Sony Music Group CEO Rob Stringer in a press release. “This new structure will enhance collaboration with the regional leadership team to drive our strategic business and creative priorities.”
Sony Music’s increased concentrate on Asia is an element of a broader industry pattern wherein music corporations seek to capitalize on emerging markets by supporting regional talent with global potential.
Last September, Universal Music Group opened latest Southeast Asia based in Singapore, announcing its plan to launch hip-hop label Def Jam within the region, while also strengthening the presence of the Astralwerks label, in addition to its B2B label distribution company Ingrooves and digital distribution service Spinnup, which focuses on latest artist discovery.
Label later announced the launch of RedRecords, a joint-venture label with AirAsia Group that can concentrate on developing the subsequent generation of Asian pop stars.
Also in September, live entertainment giant AEG moved its Asian headquarters from Shanghai to Singapore and appointed three key latest executives to the office because it looks to strengthen its presence within the region and compete with rival Live Nation globally.
The following month, Warner Music Group launched the Japanese label +809 from the corporate’s Tokyo office in an effort to develop local urban and hip-hop artists.
Source : Billboard.com
