Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) today announced the launch of Warner Music South Africa, following a buyout of Gallo Records’ share of the joint venture Warner Music Gallo Africa.
The new affiliate will oversee the release of international repertoire within South Africa and other territories across the African continent. Tracy Fraser will continue as Managing Director, Warner Music South Africa, reporting into Eliah Seton, SVP International Strategy & Operations.
Stu Bergen, President, International, Warner Recorded Music, commented, “We are very excited about the growth potential of the music industry in South Africa. Our commitment to strengthening our geographical reach and global network continues, and we see this investment as another step towards delivering best in class services and driving new opportunities for our extraordinary artists all around the world.”
Seton said, “Tracy is an expert in the South African market and with her at the helm we are extremely well positioned to expand our business in this culturally rich, diverse and dynamic market.”
Fraser said, “Thanks to the recent launch of legitimate online services combined with the increasing availability of technology and mobile handsets we are experiencing an increasing demand for digital music, while our physical market remains significant. I look forward to working with Stu, Eliah and the international team to capitalize on these positive trends in South Africa and maximize local access to our world-class repertoire.”
Based in Johannesburg, Warner Music South Africa will retain all staff from the joint venture with Gallo Records.
Warner artists have had some of the biggest singles and albums of the year in South Africa, including Bruno Mars, Nickelback, James Blunt, Josh Groban, Trey Songz, Birdy, Linkin Park and Michael Bublé, who held the number one position for seven weeks in a row, with his latest album ‘To Be Loved’.
This is the latest in a series of expansions to the Warner Music Group global footprint following the acquisition of Russia’s leading independent music company Gala Records, and the Parlophone Label Group (PLG), that comprised of the Parlophone label, the Chrysalis/Ensign labels in the United Kingdom, EMI Classics and Virgin Classics and the EMI operating companies in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.
Source: Warner Music Group
