Deezer might well be eyeing its long-awaited entry into the U.S., but it’s shutting its Australian office.
Thomas Heymann, the managing director of the streaming music service’s business in Australia and New Zealand, is leaving the company. German-born Heymann oversaw the launch of Deezer Down Under in 2012.
Moving forward, Deezer will manage its activities in Australia and New Zealand from its affiliate in Singapore and its HQ in Paris. “We’re a fast growing business and we’ve decided to close the office in Australia for organisational reasons, including the fact we’ve just signed telco deals across Asia Pacific,” a spokesperson tells Billboard.biz. “It’s important to say that this decision will not affect Australian users in anyway. Our editor will still be there making recommendations and labels and partners won’t change. We’ll still be offering the same great experience to music fans.”
Heymann joined Deezer with a solid music biz background that included stints with Sony Music Australia and in Germany, and he had served as VP strategic marketing at Warner Music Australia.
Deezer’s decision on Australia coincides with the arrival of iTunes Radio, one of more than 30 digital music services jostling for position in this market. As previously reported, Deezer is expected to launch in the U.S. this year.