Stu Bergen, CEO, International & Global Commercial Services, Warner Music Group, will give a keynote speech at Midem, discussing strategies for breaking international artists and developing local stars.
It’s a subject Bergen is well versed on; Warner Music Group makes considerably more money outside the US than it does in its home territory.
In 2015, the company had the biggest global market gain of any major music company.
Bergen’s talk, titled We Think the World of Artists (and Other Strategies for Success), will take place on Sunday, June 5th in Cannes.
He will be joined on stage by Iñigo Zabala, President, Latin America & Iberia, Warner Music Group, and Brazilian artist Anitta.
The talk will focus on WMG’s strategy of building out its presence around the world in order to better serve its artists and grow their careers.
Zabala, who started his career as an artist signed to Warner Music, will give his perspective on the Latin American music market and working as part of company’s global leadership team.
Anitta will tell the story of how she became a triple gold and platinum award winner in her home country of Brazil.
“As streaming helps to return our industry to growth, we have a creative and entrepreneurial approach that will enable us to move fast and make the most of this opportunity for artists,” said Bergen.
“I’m delighted that Iñigo will be joining me to tell us his remarkable story, and I’m honoured that Anitta will be there to share her creative vision and ambitions for her career.”
Zabala said: “Every market has its own unique set of conditions but Warner Music is always a company that is hungry for success.
“I’m looking forward to joining Stu to discuss our commitment to artist development and our resourceful business strategies.”
Bergen was named CEO, International and Global Commercial Services, at WMG in February. He celebrates his tenth anniversary with WMG this year, and was previously President, Warner Recorded Music since 2013.
The exec oversees WMG’s international Recorded Music operations outside the US and UK; Warner Music’s Global Marketing team; WEA and ADA – WMG’s Artist & Label Services divisions; and Warner Classics.
Bergen was instrumental in the integration of Parlophone Label Group into WMG, and has overseen strategic acquisitions such as Gold Typhoon in China, Polskie Nagrania in Poland, and Gala Records in Russia as well, as the buy-out of Gallo Records’ share of a joint venture with Warner Music in South Africa.
In addition, Bergen has grown Warner Music’s international presence by concentrating on nurturing global superstars, while at the same time making the strengthening of local repertoire a top priority.
Zabala began his career with the Spanish group La Union. He joined Warner Music Spain as A&R Manager in 1988 and enjoyed a number of roles within the organisation before being named President of Warner Music Latin America in 2001, and became President of Latin America & Iberia in 2013.
Today he oversees Warner affiliates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and Portugal.
Also recently added to the conference line-up at Midem is Pandora founder and CEO Tim Westergren, who, joined by Glassnote founder Daniel Glass and British artist Flo Morrissey, will give a keynote speech on how streaming companies, labels and artists can work together on profitable music distribution models.Music Business Worldwide
