Ahmed Nureni has been named as the new General Manager of Warner Music Middle East.
Moe Hamzeh, who helped establish Warner Music Middle East in 2018, has stepped down as Managing Director after five years at the helm to pursue other music projects, according to a press release issued by Warner Music Group on Monday (October 24).
In his new role, Nureni, who has worked in the music industry for more than 14 years, reports to Alfonso Perez-Soto, President, Emerging Markets, Warner Recorded Music, and will continue to be based in Dubai.
WMG added that the leadership change “doesn’t impact the rest of Warner Music Middle East’s employees in Beirut who will remain based in the city”.
Nureni will also remain GM of Qanawat Music, a music distributor in the Middle East and North Africa, which was acquired by Warner Music Group earlier this year.
In that position, he will continue to work closely with Adnan Al-Obthani, the founder of Qanawat Music.
Warner Music Middle East was founded in 2018. The division covers Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
“I’m excited to be heading Warner Music Middle East, alongside my responsibilities at Qanawat. The dual role will allow me to harness synergies from both businesses and be thoughtful and strategic in the way we grow Warner Music Middle East’s artist roster.”
Ahmed Nureni
Ahmed Nureni said: “I’m excited to be heading Warner Music Middle East, alongside my responsibilities at Qanawat. The dual role will allow me to harness synergies from both businesses and be thoughtful and strategic in the way we grow Warner Music Middle East’s artist roster.
“There’s so much creative potential in our region and we’re only just beginning to tap into it. I’m looking forward to working closely with our team in Beirut and promise them the next few years are going to be hugely exciting!”
“Ahmed is a brilliant exec who combines an amazing ear for music with a brilliant strategic mind. We’ve been working together since Qanawat joined the Warner Music family and I knew he’d be the perfect person for this role.”
Alfonso Perez-Soto
Alfonso Perez-Soto added: “Ahmed is a brilliant exec who combines an amazing ear for music with a brilliant strategic mind. We’ve been working together since Qanawat joined the Warner Music family and I knew he’d be the perfect person for this role.
“With the support of our amazing team in Beirut, he’ll champion artists from the region and help them connect with a global audience. I’d also like to thank Moe Hamzeh for all his amazing support over the last five years and wish him good luck in his next adventures.”
“The Middle East and North Africa is the fastest-growing region in the world for the recorded music industry, with some great talent coming through.”
Simon Robson, Warner Recorded Music
Simon Robson, President, International, Warner Recorded Music, said: “The Middle East and North Africa is the fastest-growing region in the world for the recorded music industry, with some great talent coming through.
“It is a priority market for us, highlighted by our accelerated activity in MENA in the last 18 months, but we have further ambitious growth plans, which Ahmed will help us deliver.”Music Business Worldwide