Warner Music has strengthened its digital business development efforts in the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions with two promotions.
Leanne Sharman (pictured) is appointed to the role of Vice President & Managing Director, Digital Strategy & Business Development, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Recorded Music.
Based in London, she will be responsible for the development of new digital businesses with new players and established partners across the region, reporting to Stephen Bryan, Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Development, Recorded Music who is based in New York.
Sharman will be joined by Jacob Key, who is appointed to the new position of Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Development, Europe, Recorded Music and continues to be based in Stockholm.
Stephen Bryan said “Europe has been leading the development of several of the most important new growth areas in the industry’s digital evolution. These promotions not only solidify our European digital business development team, but also ensure that the expertise we have in the region is informing our broader global strategy.”
He added: “Leanne’s wide-ranging experience, commercial acumen and impressive track record in negotiating transformational deals, all mean she is well-placed to help shape the next phase of our digital innovation. At the same time, having been instrumental to the development of many of our Scandinavian subscription partnerships and telco ‘bundle’ deals, Jacob will now be applying his invaluable knowledge and strategic insight to accelerating the growth of those models throughout Europe.”
Sharman joined Warner Music in 2008 as VP, Business Development, EMEA, expanding her role to VP, Commercial Development in 2009. Previously, she was VP & General Manager of Napster UK, launching the service in the UK and overseeing it for three years. Prior to that, she was VP, Sales & Marketing at MP3.com Europe and Head of Marketing & Commercial Development at Fox Kids Europe.
Key joined Warner Music in 2005 as Business Development Director, Scandinavia, rising to VP, Commercial Strategy & Business Development, Nordic in 2011. Prior to his arrival at Warner Music, Key was founder & CEO of mobile communications company, Globalmouth and before that Head of Business Development for Swedish mobile marketing platform, Mediatude Ltd.Music Business Worldwide
