Warner Music is launching in Turkey, having expanded its partnership with Istanbul-based Doğan Music.
Doğan Group owns Doğan Music Company (DMC), Turkey’s largest independent record label, and DMC’s subsidiary NetD, one of the most popular channels on YouTube
Today’s news follows a deal signed with Doğan in January last year which has seen DMC distribute Warner Music’s physical product in Turkey and represent its repertoire to Turkish-owned digital music platforms.
The new Warner Music affiliate will build a domestic roster with Doğan and aims to develop a stronger presence for Warner’s global repertoire in Turkey.
Gülce Özyeşilpınar (pictured) has been named General Manager of Warner Music Turkey and will report to Alfonso Perez-Soto.
She began her music industry career working for independent label Pasaj Müzik as a production assistant.
A series of content creation and management roles followed, before she joined Sony Music’s Istanbul office as Digital Marketing Manager in 2014.
Three years later she founded Witch Brew Works, which manages all of Warner Music’s marketing operations and accounts in Turkey.
There are more than two million people paying to use a music streaming service in Turkey, with the format accounting for some 60% of industry revenues in the country according to figures from trade body IFPI.
The market increased in value by almost 15% last year to more than $42 million.
“We believe this relationship will have a sustainable impact on Turkey’s music industry and will be a big step in achieving a greater worldwide presence for Turkish artists.”
Samsun Demir, Doğan Music Group
Samsun Demir, CEO, Doğan Music Group, said: “We’re very pleased to announce our partnership with Warner Music in Turkey.
“We believe this relationship will have a sustainable impact on Turkey’s music industry and will be a big step in achieving a greater worldwide presence for Turkish artists who will explore creative opportunities without limits and contribute to our partnership in years to come.
“We’re also very excited and confident that, through the contributions of Warner’s global network and Doğan’s strong presence in Turkey, we will continue to deliver great success for our artists together.”
“This is a historic moment for Warner Music – a real return to the country of Ahmet Ertegün, the legendary founder of Atlantic Records.”
Alfonso Perez-Soto, Warner Music
Alfonso Perez-Soto, Warner Music’s EVP, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “We’re hugely excited to step-up our presence in Turkey and partner with Doğan on artist campaigns that’ll have an impact here and around the world.
“This is a historic moment for Warner Music – a real return to the country of Ahmet Ertegün, the legendary founder of Atlantic Records.”
“I’m so proud to be the first leader of Warner Music Turkey. I look forward to working with our friends at Doğan to turbocharge our global support for our joint roster.”
Gülce Özyeşilpınar
Özyeşilpınar said: “I’m so proud to be the first leader of Warner Music Turkey. I look forward to working with our friends at Doğan to turbocharge our global support for our joint roster.
“And I also can’t wait to increase our promo support both creatively and strategically for Warner’s international stars in Turkey.
“Every day, we engage with the most passionate music fans in Turkey and I’m very excited to connect them even more with our amazing artists and brilliant catalogue. We’re here to create, share, support and inspire.”Music Business Worldwide
