Anna Maria Antippas appointed Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Greece
Athens, December 4th 2024 — Sony Music Entertainment (SME) announced today the acquisition of Cobalt Music, one of Greece’s most prominent independent music labels. The investment marks the re-establishment of Sony Music Entertainment Greece, a new branch of Sony Music’s global network that reinforces the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in fast-growing international markets.
Founded in 1957, Cobalt Music played a pivotal role in the Greek music industry for decades, building an iconic local repertoire catalogue and combining selective, capital-efficient frontline operations. Over the years, Cobalt remained at the forefront of the Greek music scene, nurturing some of the country’s most beloved artists and delivering chart-topping hits. With this acquisition, Sony Music Entertainment Greece aims to preserve and enhance this legacy while providing expanded opportunities for Greek talent.
As part of Sony Music Entertainment Greece, the company will be able to provide their artists and partners with new opportunities to connect with international audiences.
Renowned Greek artists and catalogues that currently sit within Cobalt Music will now benefit from Sony Music’s innovative technology expertise, marketing resources, and worldwide distribution network.
Anna Maria Antippas has been appointed Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment Greece, bringing a wealth of industry experience to the company, having held leadership positions within the Greek music industry for almost two decades. Her leadership will drive the company’s mission of fostering local talent and elevating the Greek music scene on a global scale.
Daniel Lieberberg, President, Sony Music Continental Europe and Africa, said: “We see enormous potential in the Greek market, which has a rich musical heritage and vibrant contemporary scene. By acquiring Cobalt Music, we aim to provide even more opportunities for local artists to thrive. Under Anna Maria Antippas’ leadership, we will preserve the legacy of Cobalt Music whilst also bringing Greek music to a wider global audience.”
Anna Maria Antippas, Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment Greece, added: “I am honored to lead Sony Music Entertainment Greece and to be a part of this incredible opportunity for our artists. This enables us to leverage Sony’s global platform while continuing to champion the rich cultural heritage of Greek music. I look forward to fostering new partnerships, developing talent, and connecting our artists to the world.”
The Greek music industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with total recorded music revenues reaching US$70.4 million in 2023, marking a 14.91% increase from the previous year. The market’s primary driver is streaming, which accounts for 63.1% of total revenues (US$44.4 million), reflecting a year-on-year growth of 15.2%. Additionally, synchronization revenues have seen a substantial 49.4% increase, contributing to the overall market expansion. This robust growth positions Greece as an emerging force in the global music scene with domestic artists dominating the charts, as all top 10 tracks in Greece for 2023 were by local artists (Source: IFPI Global Music Report 2024).
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