Warner Music Southeast Europe (WM SEE) has acquired a minority stake in Slovenia-based indie label NIKA.
NIKA is claimed to have been the first private music label and distributor in what later became the former Yugoslavia. Darjo Lott and marco stopper In 1989.
The company started with a small store in Ljubljana and was the first to introduce music from independent labels from all over the world to the Yugoslav market.
Headquartered in Ljubljana, the company has been Warner Music's licensee in Slovenia since 1995. Since 2017, NIKA's repertoire has been 11,000 songs distributed through ADA around the worldWarner Music's independent distribution and label services division.
Some of NIKA's artists are bigfoot mom, koala voice, Luka Bashi, nipke, Siddhartha and Jan Cercic.
The company currently operates one of the largest enterprises. online music store In Slovenia, we have more 300,000 titles Available.
WM SEE said the acquisition of a minority stake will strengthen Warner Music's ability to introduce NIKA artists to its international network, opening opportunities for these artists to reach a wider audience. said in a statement on Friday, March 8.
“Announcing our agreement with NIKA today at WM SEE is a proud moment for us,” he said. Isabella Ciszek Podzemskaserves as General Manager of WM SEE From 2022 onwards.
“We have been working with Mr. Daljo and Mr. Marko for almost 30 years and they have an impeccable reputation, making us confident that there is no one better suited to be our partner in Slovenia. I can say it.”
„We could not be happier to have completed this agreement with WM SEE,“ Daljo Lotto and Marco Stopper said in a joint statement.
“We have been working with Warner Music for almost 30 years because they trust us and allow us to do what we do best in Slovenia. We will work more closely together to bring our artists to the world stage.”
“I can say with confidence that there is no one better suited as a partner in Slovenia.”
Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska, Warner Music Southeast Europe
Bartosz Swach, Chief Financial Officer of Warner Music Eastern Europe, added: We have had great success partnering with regional labels such as: Magneoton and MasscomSo I'm looking forward to seeing how the team can take NIKA to a new level. ”
warner music group acquired shares Last year, he was cast by Hungarian label Magneoton as part of a deal that included distribution and plans to develop local talent.
One year ago, Warner acquired shares He belonged to the Serbian record label Mascom, which was already acting as a local distributor for Warner.
Warner is making a big push into Eastern European music, hoping to capitalize on parts of the region that have experienced rapid economic growth in recent years.
Warner obtained Slovak entertainment company forza music 2019 and last year invested in czech hip hop label mike loft.
In Poland, one of the region's largest markets, Warner Music has invested. big ideathe country's most important hip-hop promoter, and step recordits biggest hip-hop label.
“Talent is everywhere, but we have to try to beat that talent.” Alfonso Perez Sotosaid Warner Records Music's President of Emerging Markets. Interview with MBW In 2022.
„That's part of what we do in Eastern Europe. Countries like Croatia, Romania and Slovakia may have smaller populations, but However, artists in such markets may have a chance at global success. ”world music business