Mateusz Smółka Leads Warner Music Eastern Europe
Warner Music Group names former Spotify exec Mateusz Smółka as Managing Director for Eastern Europe, based in Warsaw, effective September 7.
Warner Music Group has appointed Mateusz Smółka as Managing Director of Warner Music Eastern Europe. He started in the newly created role on September 7, reporting to Simon Robson, President of Warner Music EMEA, from a base in Warsaw.
Role and Responsibilities
Smółka will oversee the company's operations across Poland, the Czech Republic, South Eastern Europe, and Ukraine. According to the announcement, his mandate is to drive expansion, build scale and market share, and support local audio cultures. His responsibilities will cover talent development, distribution, and mergers and acquisitions as Warner broadens its artist services in the region.
Executive Background
Smółka joins Warner Music after an eight-year tenure at Spotify. There, he led editorial and artist and label partnership teams across ten Eastern European markets. His career spans over two decades in the audio sector, media, and technology, beginning as a journalist before moving into advisory and leadership roles within the industry.
Leadership and Strategy
Simon Robson, President of Warner Music EMEA, praised the appointment. He said Smółka has a proven record of driving creative and commercial growth across Eastern Europe and that his expertise in artist development and fan culture makes him uniquely equipped to lead their growth in Europe's fastest-expanding market.
Smółka expressed his own enthusiasm for the new position, stating he is excited to join Warner Music at such a transformative moment for the business across Eastern Europe and that the sheer volume of creative talent emerging from this region is extraordinary.
Warner Music has been actively expanding its footprint in Eastern Europe through a series of acquisitions and investments in recent years. The company has framed the region as fertile ground for emerging talent, with deals spanning catalog, independent labels, and promoters across Central and Eastern Europe.
The following table outlines some of the key investments and acquisitions mentioned in the source:
| Company/Entity | Country | Type of Deal | Year (if given) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIKA | Slovenia | Minority stake acquired | 2024 |
| Magneoton | Hungary | Stake taken | Not specified |
| Mascom | Serbia | Stake taken | Not specified |
| Mike Roft | Czech Republic | Investment made | Not specified |
| Big Idea | Poland | Backed (promoter) | Not specified |
| Step Records | Poland | Backed (label) | Not specified |
| Forza Music | Slovakia | Acquired | 2019 |
| Polskie Nagrania | Poland | Acquired for €1.9 million | 2015 |
These moves represent a concerted push to deepen the label's local presence. The acquisition of Polskie Nagrania, Poland's oldest record label, for €1.9 million in 2015 marked an early step in this strategy. Smółka's appointment is positioned as the next phase, aiming to consolidate and grow these assets. He said he looks forward to partnering with local teams to empower the artist roster and champion local sounds worldwide.
