Gustavo ‘Gus’ Lopez is a Los Angeles-based music executive. Puerto Rico-born, L.A-raised Lopez is the CEO of Saban Music Group, and a partner in the company.
At Saban, Lopez has broken hits from artists such as Chesca and Static & Ben El.
Prior to joining Saban in 2019, Lopez established himself as one of the standout modern leaders of the Latin Music industry, via a 21-year career at Universal Music Group, and with his own company, Talento Uno Music (TU).
Gustavo Lopez: Career to date
Gustavo Lopez joined Universal Music Group in 1995, starting out as a Sales & Marketing executive, before becoming the Founder and President of UMG’s Machete Music in 2005.
Machete Music was/is Universal’s first Latin Urban-focused record label, and became a major success story under Lopez, with artists including Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Wisin & Yandel.
In 2008, Lopez became President of Fonovisa & Disa, which focused on regional Mexican music, finding success with the likes of Los Tigres Del Norte, Marco Antonio Solis, Jenny Rivera, Banda El Recodo and Los Angeles Azules.
Lopez later became EVP and General Manager of Universal Music Latin Entertainment, and in 2015 he played a key role in the launch of L Festival – Universal’s successful Latin-themed music event based in LA.
He left Universal and launched his own “full stack” music company, Talento Uno Music (TU), in 2017.
TU was then acquired by Haim Saban, the founder of Saban Music Group (SMG), with Lopez handed the reins of $500 million-backed SMG as its CEO in 2019.
Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Lopez then moved to Los Angeles aged 11. He began his music business career working at Latin record stores aged 15.
Lopez earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University Northridge.Music Business Worldwide