White-label music distribution platform DistroDirect has announced strategic appointments in four key markets, expanding its artist-centric distribution services.
DistroDirect has welcomed Ritnika Nayan to its Indian team. Nayan, former India country head for CD Baby, Fuga, Downtown Music Service, Adrev & Songtrust, and current owner of MGMH, will contribute her market expertise in India to DistroDirect.
Nayan wrote the book Indie 101: The Ultimate Guide to the Independent Music Industry in India.
Dreams Never Die Co-Founder and ex-One RPM A&R Ben Frigeri, meanwhile, was appointed as DistroDirect’s new US Business Development and Partnerships Manager. He will be based in the company’s New York office.
DistroDirect also appointed Henriette Heimdal as Head of UK and EU Business Development. Heimdal is a music distribution specialist with experience across distribution company CD Baby, Family in Music, and WIN for Music.
“We are absolutely stoked to have assembled this talented group to assist in the growth of DistroDirect. The platform is based around the notion that developing key relationships in local markets drives better outcomes for artists so it’s great to have boots on the ground in these key areas.”
Andy Irvine, DistroDirect and GYROstream
In Brazil, the company hired music industry and software specialist Samuel Fernandes to expand DistroDirect’s presence across Latin America.
Through its SaaS (software as a service) platform, DistroDirect employs a micro-distribution model helping labels and music businesses to expand and manage their catalogs using an automated, online distribution platform, under their own brand. It helps labels deliver music to over 100 DSPs globally including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, TikTok and more.
The platform allows existing businesses to add digital distribution services, scale their artist networks, and increase revenue, allowing access to distribution tools. DistroDirect is a unit of Australian distributor GYROstream, which provides services such as royalty splits, publishing administration, A&R tools, publicity, and digital marketing.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, with offices in New York, Sydney, India, London, and Manila, DistroDirect has welcomed over 400 hyper-local micro-distributors in over 40 markets since launching in 2021.
Commenting on the new appointments, DistroDirect and GYROstream CEO Andy Irvine said: “We are absolutely stoked to have assembled this talented group to assist in the growth of DistroDirect. The platform is based around the notion that developing key relationships in local markets drives better outcomes for artists so it’s great to have boots on the ground in these key areas.”
The new appointments came nearly two years after DistroDirect hired Dalmar ‘Biz Dev’ James Jr. and Eric Namour for its business in the Americas. James Jr. was appointed as VP of North American Business Development and Partnerships, while Namour was tapped to head Business Development operations for the Latin American market.
Music Business Worldwide