Downtown Music Services (DMS) has unveiled what it calls a “major expansion” of its operations in Spanish speaking Latin America with a number of key hires and promotions in the region.
Daniela Gutiérrez, who is based in Mexico City and reports to Vice President of Marketing Geoff Halliday, has been named Marketing Manager for Mexico.
Gutiérrez joins DMS with experience as a Senior Label Manager in digital distribution, working with labels such as Seitrack, Prajin Records/Z Records and Yes Music, in addition to artists such as Los Ángeles Azules, Bronco, and Lupillo Rivera.
Based in Bogota, Colombia, Estefanía Parra has been promoted to Manager, A&R and Partnerships – LatAm.
Parra reports directly to Chief Operating Officer Ben Patterson, and will play a key role in the company’s growth and development throughout the region, says the company.
Estefanía joined DMS from Colombian talent management company M3 Music, where she oversaw clients including Bomba Estéreo, Santiago Cruz and Vicente García.
She previously worked at Deezer as Marketing Manager for the Andean Region.
Furthermore, Martin Liviciche and Juan Nuñez have been transferred to DMS from sister company CD Baby in Argentina.
Liviciche adopts the title of Business Development covering Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay for both DMS and Downtown sister company FUGA.
Nuñez, meanwhile, has been named Marketing Manager, LatAm.
Based in Buenos Aires, they will both report to COO Ben Patterson and VP of Marketing Geoff Halliday, respectively.
Throughout the Latin American region, DMS has worked with artists including Santa Fe Klan, who recently achieved a No. 1 album in Mexico under DMS, Afaz Natural, Ali Aka Mind, La Renga, Lauri Garcia, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, No Te Va Gustar, Neoma, and Colombian Lo-Fi artists Dj 113 and Mylo B.
DMS also represents a number of labels, including Rap Trap Alzada in México, Fader Digital and Estudio Inga in Argentina, Planea Música in Paraguay and Play Music in Perú.
To support these artists, says DMS, the company has made several Latin-focused hires to its Client Services team under Director of Client Services Daniel Miller, who will focus on the daily needs of the growing Latin roster.
These hires include US-based Vianey Ramirez and Argentina-based Ariel Conde.
“The global explosion in Latin music in recent years is a testament to the remarkable musical talent in Latin America.”
Mike Smith, Downtown Music Services
Mike Smith, Global President of Downtown Music Services, said: “The global explosion in Latin music in recent years is a testament to the remarkable musical talent in Latin America.
“DMS has always worked closely with musicians and songwriters in this region and by bringing in Daniela and growing the roles of Estefania, Juan and Martin we are underlining our commitment to the most exciting music being made right now.”
“Latin music is core to the past and future of Downtown Music Services.”
Ben Patterson, Downtown Music Services
Ben Patterson, COO at Downtown Music Services, added: “Latin music is core to the past and future of Downtown Music Services.
“With a wide range of clients spanning North, Central and South America it’s imperative that we support them locally and globally with client services, A&R and marketing team.
“Adding Daniela to the DMS team and expanding the roles of Estefanía, Martin and Juan ensures we have a phenomenal team to support one of the fastest growing regions of the music business.”
In April, IFPI figures showed the extent of opportunities in South America.
The region’s recorded music market grew by 31.2% in 2021, with Brazil (+32.0%) and Mexico (+27.7%) accounting for 66.5% of revenues. Streaming revenues accounted for 85.9% of the South American market, one of the highest proportions in any region.
Music company BMG also recently expanded its operations in Latin America with the opening of an office in Mexico.
BMG said at the time that the initial focus of the office will be on developing services for BMG’s existing Anglo-American and Spanish language clients, before building a local repertoire roster.Music Business Worldwide
