Warner Music Latin
Iñigo Zabala
President Warner Music Latin America & Iberia
Iñigo Zabala supervises Warner’s Latin markets throughout Latin America, Spain and Portugal, with a roster that includes Maná, Luis Miguel and Laura Pausini as well as international non-Latin acts like Bruno Mars and Coldplay. The most “boutique” major in the Latin realm, Warner expanded substantially in 2013 after its full acquisition of Parlophone (EMI) in Spain, incorporating acts like Pablo Alboran, Spain’s top-selling new artist of the past several years. The Parlophone integration, now fully complete, “has been transforming for us,” Zabala says, noting that as a result the label also launched Warner Portugal. Key in the integration was Warner Music Spain president Charlie Sanchez, who also oversaw the Spanish efforts of Get In — Warner’s management and touring company — which produced more than 500 shows in 2013 by acts including Mars, Alboran, Melendi and Duncan Dhu. Get In has also begun booking Alboran in Latin America, as part of the international development of the Spanish star, which is shaping up to be one of the major new pop success stories in Latin music. Mexican sibling duo Jesse & Joy also scored a pan-regional hit with “Corre!” and is now recording in English. Among international acts, Mars’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” was a hit in markets under Zabala, including Mexico, Spain, Brazil and Chile. A Warner competitive advantage is its innovative digital business, run by Alfonso Perez Soto, senior VP of business development, emerging markets and Latin America.