Universal Music Germany has made a major appointment by luring over one of Apple‘s star music executives in Europe.
Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba (pictured) was Head Of Apple Music & iTunes Music in GSA (Germany, Switzerland and Austria), as well as Italy and PAN-Europe.
He joined the tech giant in 2008 following three years as Director of Music Programming at Napster.
Initially responsible for Apple’s music business in Germany and Austria, Mushatsi-Kareba added more territories as the years went on, as well as taking responsibility for Apple Music when it launched in 2015.
Now, though, he’s jumping the music-tech fence to become Universal Music Germany’s new General Manager of Marketing & Digital – reporting into UMG’s SVP of Digital Music, Daniel Lieberberg.
“I do not know a business partner [like] patrick, with the A&R skills he has, and I could not imagine a better sparring partner.”
Daniel Lieberberg, UMG
He isn’t the first to leap over that music-tech fence this year – notably, Universal’s own crunch negotiator Francis Keeling went in the other direction in May, joining Spotify as VP, Global Head Of Licensing.
Mushatsi-Kareba replaces Cornelius Ballin at Universal Music Germany. Ballin transferred to Universal Music Austria in March to become its General Manager.
UMG’s Daniel Lieberberg said: “I am extremely pleased that we were able to [bring] Patrick to Universal Music.
“Our team already knows him from numerous collaborations. I do not know a digital business partner [like] Patrick with the A & R skills he has, and I could not imagine a better sparring partner. His expertise, his charisma and experience will inspire our team for sure.”
Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba said: “I thank Daniel for the confidence and look forward to marketing the most exciting artist roster in Germany.”
He added: I am sure that together we will expand the success of [UMG’s] domestic artist [roster] even further.”Music Business Worldwide
