Warner/Chappell Music has appointed Santiago Menéndez-Pidal as Managing Director, Warner/Chappell Music Spain, effective November 15.
Menéndez-Pidal will work closely with Gustavo Menendez, President, Latin America, Warner/Chappell Music and report to Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Warner/Chappell Music.
Menéndez-Pidal joins from Sony Music Spain, where he served as A&R Director for the last four years, signing artists including Dvicio, Abraham Mateo, Andrés Suárez, C Tangana, Melendi and Rozalén.
The move represents another significant international change at Warner/Chappell from Los Angeles-based Jon Platt, who was appointed to the WMG Board of Directors earlier this month.
Platt’s rejuvenation of Warner/Chappell’s European operation in recent times has included the appointment of Mike Smith as MD of Warner/Chappell UK and the opening of a new creatively-orientated office in Berlin.
Elsewhere, Platt promoted Monica Lee to President of Asia Pacific at the end of last year, following key changes in his US team – such as making Katie Vinten and Ryan Press co-Heads A&R and promoting Ben Vaughn to President of Warner/Chappell Nashville.
Menéndez-Pidal helped take Sony Music from third in local repertoire album market share in 2012 to first in 2016.
“Warner/Chappell is home to the most talented songwriters in the world, its Spanish team is made up of some of the best ears and minds in the business, and Jon Platt is the ultimate A&R inspiration.”
Santiago Menéndez-Pidal
During his wide-ranging career, over more than two decades, he has played an integral role in developing the careers of artists and songwriters including Dani Martín, India Martínez, Leiva and Joaquín Sabina.
Jon Platt said: “The music business in Spain has been through profound changes in recent years, and songs from the region are travelling the world faster than ever.
“Having someone of Santiago’s caliber championing our songwriters will have a transformative effect on our business there.
“He has impeccable taste, a truly global outlook, and an inspiring leadership style. Above all, Santiago has built an impressive reputation for putting the creative community first, and that’s exactly the philosophy we live by at Warner/Chappell.”
Menéndez-Pidal said: “Warner/Chappell is home to the most talented songwriters in the world, its Spanish team is made up of some of the best ears and minds in the business, and Jon Platt is the ultimate A&R inspiration.
“It is my great honor to return to the Warner/Chappell family, and I cannot wait to help our Spanish songwriters reach new levels of success.”
“Having someone of Santiago’s caliber championing our songwriters will have a transformative effect on our business in Spain.”
Jon Platt, Warner/Chappell
Menéndez-Pidal began his career at BMG Music in 1992, where he became International Marketing Manager, focusing on campaigns for overseas artists in Spain.
In 1996, he joined Warner/Chappell Music Spain for the first time, serving as International and Creative Manager. As well as overseeing the Creative Department, he also acted as Synchronization Manager.
He worked with artists including the bands Amaral, Dover and El Canto del Loco, as well as songwriters Antonio Vega and Carlos Jean. Menéndez-Pidal left in 2003 to co-found the Madrid office of Clippers, Spain’s largest independent music publishing company, which is based in Barcelona.
He joined EMI Music Publishing as Managing Director of Spain & Portugal in 2005, where he worked with songwriters including the duo Estopa, as well as Bebe, Carlos Baute, Melendi and Russian Red. In 2010, he moved within the company to become Managing Director of EMI Music Publishing Australia and New Zealand.
While there, he signed Jimmy Barnes, Joel Little and Ladyhawke, as well as the duo The Presets and the DNA Production team. Menéndez-Pidal then returned to Madrid in 2012 for his latest role with Sony Music.
He has served on the board of directors of both the Sociedad General de Autores y Editores (SGAE), the Spanish collecting society, and APRA AMCOS, the Australian collecting society.Music Business Worldwide
