BMG has promoted Daniel Fernandes to the role of General Manager, Brazil.
Fernandes joined BMG in 2022, after a four-year stint at Brazilian record label Som Livre (acquired by Sony Music Entertainment last year), where he worked in music publishing analysis and A&R.
In his new role, he succeeds Jasmina Zammit, who is transitioning to a Berlin-based role overseeing Latin America and Emerging Markets for BMG, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Fernandes will lead BMG’s Sao Paulo-based team, and will “collaborate closely” with Julio Vieira, Vice President of Finance & Operations for Latin America (Latam), BMG said in a statement.
“I thank Jasmina for her trust and am looking forward to working with our amazing Brazilian roster and to further grow our local catalog,” Fernandes said in a statement. “The opportunity to lead BMG Brazil’s team is both an honor and a privilege and I am thrilled and excited about the journey ahead.”
Zammit added: “I am very proud of the basis we have built over the past five years, but now it’s time to have a local elevate the business to the next level. Daniel has a great passion for music, excellent leadership skills and an extensive network, so I am delighted that he has accepted this position.”
According to Pro-Música, the industry group representing Brazilian record labels, the country’s recorded music industry grew for a sixth year in a row in 2022, with revenues up 15.4% YoY to BRL 2.536 billion (USD $489 million).
That growth was strong enough to return Brazil to the top 10 largest recording music markets in the world, ranking No. 9 in 2022, behind Canada (No. 8) and ahead of Australia (No. 10), according to IFPI’s Global Music Market Report 2023.
BMG launched its Sao Paulo operations in 2016, initially focusing on managing existing repertoire. It has since developed its own local signing strategy, and now offers music publishing and recording under one roof.
Today, BMG represents the música sertaneja catalog of Brazilian music management company Workshow, and has signed writers and producers such as Zeeba, Johnny Hooker, Rincon Sapiência, Tropkillaz, Umberto Tavares, Jefferson Junior and Mu540.
“I thank Jasmina for her trust and am looking forward to working with our amazing Brazilian roster and to further grow our local catalog.”
Daniel Fernandes, BMG
On the recording side of its business, BMG in Brazil has signed deals with prominent artists such as Zeeba, Tuyo, Henrique e Diego and Latin Grammy-nominated ÀTTØØXXÁ.
BMG saw its global revenues rise by 11.5% YoY in the first half of 2023, hitting EUR €414 million. Its operating EBITDA jumped by 22.6% YoY, to €90 million.
“I am very proud of the basis we have built over the past five years, but now it’s time to have a local elevate the business to the next level.”
Jasmina Zammit, BMG
As MBW reported in September, recently-appointed CEO Thomas Coesfeld reorganized the company’s distribution infrastructure, taking digital/streaming distribution in-house and ending a seven-year recorded music distribution relationship with Warner Music Group/ADA.
In October, it was revealed that the company reorganized its global structure in pursuit of Coesfeld’s goal for BMG to become “more efficient and more effective.” The move resulted in around 40 job cuts, or some 3% of global staff.Music Business Worldwide
