Global recorded music body IFPI has appointed Adriana Restrepo as Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, effective February 1.
Reporting to IFPI Chief Executive, Frances Moore, she will head up IFPI’s regional office in Miami, USA.
Prior to taking up the role at IFPI, Restrepo was President of Sony Music Andes, overseeing the company’s strategic operations in the Andean region (which includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
Before that, Restrepo was President of Codiscos, which IFPI says is “one of Latin America’s longest-established independent record labels and publishers”.
During that time, she served on the IFPI Latin America & Caribbean Board (2015-2019).
Between 2018 and 2020, Restrepo served on IFPI’s Main Board. The organization says that she provided “crucial insight into the growth and development of the Latin American recorded music market”.
Restrepo takes over the role from Javier Asensio, who had served as Regional Director since 2011 and stepped down from the position at the end of 2022 to return to his home country of Spain.
Recorded music revenues in Latin America grew 31% in 2021, the region’s strongest ever annual growth rate.
It was the 12th year of consecutive growth and revenues exceeded US$1 billion for the first time.
“Having worked directly with Adriana for a number of years as she served on our boards, I know first-hand the level of passion, commitment and knowledge of the Latin American music sector that she brings to the role.”
Frances Moore, IFPI
Frances Moore, Chief Executive, IFPI said: “Having worked directly with Adriana for a number of years as she served on our boards, I know first-hand the level of passion, commitment and knowledge of the Latin American music sector that she brings to the role.
“The region continues on a path of strong growth with one of the most vibrant and influential music cultures in the world. Our priority is to ensure that the right foundations are in place across the region to see that this is sustainable for the long term, and that fair value is returned for the use of LatAm music in all its forms. I’ve no doubt that under Adriana’s leadership we will make great strides in this.
“I would also like to thank Javier who has been outstanding in overseeing our work in the region for over a decade and achieved so much during a period of rapid change and evolution in the market.”
“I will continue the good work developed by Javier with the National Groups and the collective management organisations seeking to reach new goals for the benefit of IFPI members.”
Adriana Restrepo
Adriana Restrepo said: “I am very honoured to join the IFPI team as its new Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is experiencing a stellar moment due to the massive production of new talent for the entire world.
“I will continue the good work developed by Javier with the National Groups and the collective management organisations seeking to reach new goals for the benefit of IFPI members.”
“We will miss Adriana here at Sony Music Latin Iberia, but we are thrilled to know that her professionalism and experience will be of service to the entire Latin music industry in her new role.”
Afo Verde, Sony Music Entertainment
Afo Verde, Chairman & CEO Latin America, Spain and Portugal, Sony Music Entertainment, said: “We will miss Adriana here at Sony Music Latin Iberia, but we are thrilled to know that her professionalism and experience will be of service to the entire Latin music industry in her new role. We wish her all the best.”
“There is nobody better than her to continue the great job done by Javier Asensio during the last decade. We welcome Adriana to this important new role.”
Jesús López, Universal
Jesús López, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula, Universal Music Group, said: “Adriana brings experience, knowledge and a great capacity for work, at a time when the challenges we face in Latin America continue to be enormous.
“There is nobody better than her to continue the great job done by Javier Asensio during the last decade. We welcome Adriana to this important new role.”
“Everyone at Warner Music welcomes her and wishes her the best in her new role.”
Alejandro Duque, Warner Music Latin America
Alejandro Duque, President, Warner Music Latin America, said: “I’ve known Adriana for many years and believe she has the right qualities and commitment to lead and execute our industry’s agenda in the region for years to come.
“Everyone at Warner Music welcomes her and wishes her the best in her new role.”Music Business Worldwide
