2nd March 2023 London, New York, Amsterdam | The world’s leading music services provider, Downtown Music Holdings (Downtown℠), announced today two executive promotions across its global Downtown Music division.

Led by president Pieter van Rijn, Downtown Music – the business-to-business division under Downtown Music Holdings, which includes FUGA, Downtown Music Services, Adrev, and Downtown Music Publishing – offers an extensive array of services to the professional music industry, including distribution, artist and label services, publishing administration, neighbouring rights, creative and sync, UGC monetization, and royalty accounting. 

Today’s announcement sees Manan Vohra promoted to Chief Technology Officer and Harmen Hemminga named Vice President of Product and Services Strategy.

Based in Amsterdam, Vohra will be moving from his role as Chief Technology Officer of FUGA to lead the wider product and technology strategy for Downtown Music. An active member of the DDEX board, Vohra joined FUGA from 7Digital in August 2020 and contributed to a significant number of achievements during his tenure, evolving the distributor and its service offering, while maintaining its position as the market leader in digital distribution. During the well-publicized and pioneering FUGA/Space Shower joint venture in Japan, Vohra oversaw a series of complex localisations, and his work defining FUGA’s technology structure has enabled deeper connectivity across Downtown’s B2B and creator focused divisions.

Amsterdam-based Hemminga is promoted from his role as Head of Partnerships and Strategic Projects for FUGA where he oversaw the distributor’s licensing, catalog development and partnerships efforts. In his new position as VP of Product and Services strategy, Hemminga will be responsible for identifying and creating strategic product, services and business tracks within the Downtown Music vertical.

Joining FUGA in 2017 as a Senior Account Manager, Hemminga progressed after a year to become Head of Onboarding and later Head of Partnerships and Strategic Projects. His deep knowledge and understanding of the digital supply chain and best data practices has seen him lend his expertise to multiple global conferences, including Music Biz, ADE, WISE and DDEX/ The BIG Summit.

Also announced today is the promotion of Gareth Mellor to Vice President, Global Marketing and Communications for Downtown Music Holdings.

Mellor also joins from FUGA where he has served as Global Head of B2B since June 2021 after spells as Head of UK & Ireland for Believe-owned DIY distributor Tunecore and UK & EU Marketing Director for Kobalt and AWAL. After establishing FUGA’s global marketing presence, he expanded the team across Amsterdam, London, and New York, while overseeing the distributor’s global presence, subsequently leading to a series of award nominations in 2022.

Mellor will oversee the marketing efforts of Downtown’s portfolio of businesses, reporting directly to Chief Marketing Officer of Downtown Music Holdings, Molly Neuman. 

Said President of Downtown Music, Pieter van Rijn, “As we continue to align our global service offering across Downtown Music, it is my great pleasure to be welcoming two exceptional executive leaders into the division to help lead the way forwards. Both Manan and Harmen have made unprecedented contributions to the growth and development of FUGA’s technology and strategic services, and I am confident they will bring their unparalleled knowledge and experience to the wider Downtown Music group, spearheading our next chapter.”’

Said Manan Vohra, Chief Technology Officer of Downtown Music, ”I take great pride in having worked alongside FUGA’s product and technology teams over the last few years and to have been a part of the forward-thinking progression of the company’s product lines. I now look forward to joining the Downtown Music leadership team alongside Pieter and Dave, and continuing to build on the group’s holistic technology offering.”

Added Harmen Hemminga, VP of Project and Services Strategy, Downtown Music, “It’s been an extraordinary experience working at FUGA and alongside some of the most talented and dedicated people in the industry. I’ve continued to learn and feel inspired by the company and its clients day after day. Downtown is in a truly unique position with its wide range of technology and services for music rights holders globally, and I’m excited to work further across all teams within the Downtown Music division, and continue to develop and strengthen the offering for the company’s extensive client base.”

Said Gareth Mellor, VP of Global Marketing and Communications, Downtown Music Holdings, “Since joining FUGA in 2021, I’ve witnessed first-hand the strengthening relationship between the different divisions in Downtown, which are themselves, some of the industry’s most renowned and revered independent music brands. I’m excited to join Molly at Downtown Music Holdings to further establish the brand and solidify its place as the world’s leading music services company.”

Added Molly Neuman, Chief Marketing Officer of Downtown Music Holdings,  “At the core of Downtown’s mission to empower creators and champion the services that support them, is the establishment of a unified brand dedicated to innovation and excellence. Gareth has made exceptional strides in fortifying FUGA’s global brand presence, his aptitude across corporate communications and brand marketing is of a very high level and I am thrilled to work alongside him as we continue to reinforce and strengthen the Downtown Music Holdings brand offering.”

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