Music Industry Moves: Hybe America Launches Label Service, Ups Ryan Hyeong Woo Noh to Chief Business Officer

Hybe America has established its first worldwide operational branch, Hybe Label Services (HSL), a new division created to accelerate the global expansion of its artists. This centralized unit will provide a cohesive operational structure for all affiliated labels, streamlining their efforts to build an international presence. According to industry experts, forming a specialized international division is now essential for major entertainment companies to succeed in today's fragmented global music industry. This strategy enables more uniform brand representation and deeper market integration across different territories, a vital advantage in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In a related leadership update, Ryan Hyeong Woo Noh has been elevated to the role of chief business officer for Hybe America. Previously serving as chief strategy officer, Noh will now manage key business operations from the Los Angeles office, reporting directly to Hybe CEO Jason Jaesang Lee and Hybe America CEO and Chairman Isaac Lee. Hybe, originally founded as Big Hit Entertainment in 2005, has grown from a single South Korean agency into a global entertainment powerhouse, home to record-breaking acts like BTS and the rapidly rising girl group NewJeans.

The new division will be guided by two key executive appointments. Mike Rittberg has been named president of global distribution, where he will lead the strategic worldwide rollout of Hybe’s music catalog and upcoming releases. Simultaneously, Mark Flaherty takes on the role of president of global marketing and promotion, focusing on developing international campaigns to boost artist visibility and deepen audience engagement. An industry analyst noted, "Consolidating distribution and marketing functions internally reduces budget conflicts and guarantees a synchronized global launch—a significant strategic benefit in a saturated market."

In other music industry news, Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Zac Farro have entered into a worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). The deal covers songs written by the pair both individually and as part of Paramore, though it does not include their recorded masters. UMPG, one of the world’s largest music publishers with operations in over 40 countries, will administer their songwriting catalog. Such agreements are becoming more frequent as artists look to optimize earnings from streaming platforms and sync licensing opportunities in film, advertising, and television.

Elsewhere, Zedge, Inc. (NYSE: ZDGE) has introduced Tapedeck, a new music service intended to offer artists greater creative autonomy and an improved revenue share. The platform builds upon Zedge Premium, a digital marketplace launched in 2017 that allows creators to monetize original content. Leading the initiative is Tim Quirk, Zedge’s SVP of Product—a seasoned music professional who was the lead singer for the 1990s alternative band Too Much Joy. Quirk’s extensive background includes helping launch the pioneering streaming service Rhapsody in 2001, developing Google Play Music a decade later, and founding Freeform Development, a startup later acquired by Zedge to further its mission of supporting creators globally.