Join us for an enlightening and candid discussion with two seasoned music executives from the Warner Music Group as they delve into the challenges and triumphs of building a global music business in the dynamic, but occasionally volatile, emerging markets. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights on how the music landscape is changing and how record labels are trying to build the creative infrastructure of the future (as well as some entertaining war stories).

About our speakers
Alfonso Perez-Soto is President, Emerging Markets at Warner Music and reports into Simon Robson, President, International at Warner Music.
His emerging markets brief covers Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, India and South Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. These markets are home to 3.2 billion people – some 40 per cent of the world’s population – who are increasingly able to access music through a range of digital services that are being monetised for artists and labels.
Over the last few years, Alfonso has been instrumental in a number of investments and acquisitions within the Emerging Market regions. In India, Warner Music has acquired the management company E-Positive, invested in Divo, struck a deal with Sky Digital, signed superstars King and Diljit Dosanjh and launched 91 North Records. In the Midde East, Alfonso has led deals such as the investment in Rotana and HuManagement, the acquisition of Qanawat Music and the signings of leading stars such as Maya Diab and Dalia Mubarak. In Africa, Warner Music acquired Africori and inked licensing deals with Audiomack and Boomplay. And across Eastern Europe, Warner Music has partnered with leading Czech Republic hip-hop label Mike Roft, taken a stake in Hungarian record label Magneoton and expanded its partnership with Serbian record label, Mascom Records.
Alfonso has been a key player at Warner Music for many years. He first joined the company in 2005 as VP of Business Development for Latin America and US Hispanic Markets, while later serving as SVP, Business Development and Chief Commercial Officer for Emerging Markets. In 2018, he was named as EVP, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, before being made President of Emerging Markets in 2021. 
Over the course of his career at Warner Music, Alfonso has played a pioneering role in the company’s digital transformation and global expansion. He has taken the vast knowledge and experience from his career in Latin America and is applying it across many developing markets. In particular, he has always sought to identify new business models, enhance key partner relationships and drive additional revenue for artists.
Earlier in his career, Alfonso held senior roles at Nokia, Telefonica and Universal Music Group.

Damien Yare is a seasoned executive in the music industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Business Affairs Warner Music Group’s Emerging Market Region. His career has spanned various facets of the music business including radio, live, talent representation and law, becoming a prominent figure in the industry known for his strategic insights and innovative approaches.
At Warner Music, Damien oversees the business and legal affairs operations across Southeast Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Before his current role, Damien served as the Vice President of Business Affairs for Warner Music UK, where he counselled senior executives on key commercial arrangements and coordinated artist signing in addition to sitting on the A&R team of East West Records. In addition to his corporate roles, Damien founded and operated friends + family, a creative talent agency based in London. There, he provided management, business, and legal services to a diverse range of creative clients, including Grammy and Brit award-winning artists and producers. Prior to this he founded a live music promotions company putting hosting artists from Elton John to Snoop Dog and everything in between.
Damien is also an EMBA candidate at Clare College at the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School, as well as a qualified Solicitor in England and Wales and an Attorney at Law in New York and Florida.
With his extensive experience, deep industry knowledge, and strategic vision, Damien continues to drive innovation and growth in the music industry, making a significant impact on a global scale.

TICKETS: will be released in October
WHEN: Thursday 7 November 2024
5.30 pm – 6.00 pm: Wine reception and networking in Chetwynd Room
6.00 pm – 7.00 pm: Fireside discussion in Keynes Lecture Theatre
WHERE: King's College, Cambridge