As a story it has been circulating in the industry for many months, but YouTube has now confirmed that Dan Chalmers has been appointed as director of YouTube Music for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He joins from Warner Music where he was president of ADA as well as heading up both East West and Rhino Records for Warner Music UK. Chalmers will report to Cécile Frot-Coutaz, head of YouTube for EMEA.
“I look forward to working closely with labels, publishers and rightsholders as well as helping artists and songwriters connect with fans, find success and tap into the benefits of the global platform,” said Chalmers.
YouTube has been focusing heavily on growing the platform outside of the major developed Western markets, with India in particular being an area of huge growth from both YouTube in general (and an important international platform for domestic acts) and its paid tiers in particular, reaching 800k subscribers across YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium at the end of last year. EMEA is obviously another growth target for the company and the appointment of Chalmers, with two decades’ experience in the record business, is the most visible manifestation of this ramped-up ambition.
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