Respected Warner Music Group veteran Mike Jbara has been named CEO of music tech company MQA.
MQA says it can deliver master quality audio in a file small enough to stream or download, and has already been licensed by Warner.
Jbara joins MQA from Warner Music Group following a 20-year tenure at the major.
He first joined WEA – the U.S. sales and retail marketing company of Warner Music Group Corp – in 1996 as VP of Production Operations.
Jbara was then named WEA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2005, before succeeding now-Warner Nashville boss John Esposito as WEA President & CEO in 2009.
In 2013, Jbara was named President, Worldwide of Warner’s Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), reporting into Stu Bergen, before becoming WMG’s EVP of Technology and Business Process.
In addition to the CEO role MQA, founded by Bob Stuart, also welcomes Jbara to sit on its board.
Bob Stuart, Chairman of MQA said: “We are delighted to have Mike join us to take the helm as MQA moves into this next phase.
“Our mission is to improve the quality of distributed music and to help connect artists to fans.
“The MQA team is exceptional. I could not imagine anything more exiting than to join it.”
Mike Jbara, MQA
“I have known Mike professionally for many years and have immense respect for his technical and industry insight and knowledge, as well as interpersonal and organisational skills.
“Mike is a good friend and we are looking forward to developing the MQA business together.”
Jbara commented: “I am inspired by the principles that have led to the creation of MQA – a commitment to sound quality, intuitive and natural consumer experiences, and the tireless advocacy for the artists’ music. I have had the great fortune to work closely with Bob Stuart and develop a partnership and friendship rarely found.
“The MQA team is exceptional. I could not imagine anything more exciting than to join this team and pursue that vision.”
Jbara will be US-based at MQA but plenty of travel is expected, as he will oversee international operations.
MQA music is currently available via High Res Audio, Onkyo Music, e-Onkyo, 7digital, 2L and Technics Tracks.
Over the coming months, MQA says it will expand to more streaming platforms and into download stores worldwide.
Craig Kallman, Chairman & CEO of WMG’s Atlantic Records division, said of MQA: “The digital music era has been all about convenience. It is fantastic that we can listen to virtually any song, anywhere, any time.
“In that process, however, convenience has trumped sound quality, and we have gotten further away from the sound that artists work so hard to create. MQA makes hi-resolution music easy to stream or download to any device.
“Music fans will love it when they hear it, and WMG is thrilled to be partnering with MQA to take the next step in bringing hi-resolution music to consumers across the globe.”Music Business Worldwide
