Music Industry Moves: WME Promotes Rob Markus to Head of International Music Team; A2IM Ups Lisa Hresko to COO

Industry veteran Rob Markus has been promoted to Head of International for WME's contemporary music division, a key strategic move announced by Global Head Lucy Dickins and Global Co-Head Kirk Sommer. In this elevated position, Markus will oversee the agency's worldwide touring strategy and operations from its Beverly Hills headquarters, a reflection of the live sector's critical role as a primary revenue source for modern artists. This executive shift highlights a broader industry trend where meticulous global tour planning is increasingly vital for sustaining career momentum.

Dickins and Sommer pointed to Markus's extensive, hands-on knowledge of the intricate international concert landscape as a major asset. "His direct experience across diverse territories offers a distinct strategic edge," they noted, citing his work not only in core markets like Europe and North America but also in rapidly developing regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and India. Analysts view this appointment as a direct counter to slowing streaming revenue growth in saturated markets, making expert navigation of global live circuits more essential than ever. For context, WME itself is a titan formed from the 2009 merger of the legendary William Morris Agency and Endeavor, representing a vast array of talent across entertainment, sports, and fashion.

Markus, a Senior Partner with over two decades at the agency, was instrumental in building WME's powerhouse Latin Music division. His roster features international superstars like J Balvin, Maluma, and Juanes, alongside ascendant talents such as Danny Ocean and Nathy Peluso. His diverse portfolio further spans iconic acts including Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails, the rock group Avenged Sevenfold, pop legend Paul Anka, and electronic producer Kygo. This range of experience equips him uniquely to manage the complex logistics and cultural nuances of worldwide touring campaigns.

In a parallel technology-sector appointment, audio platform SoundCloud has named Steve Abrams as its new Chief Technology Officer. Abrams arrives from Google, where he most recently headed engineering for YouTube Music's Knowledge & Discovery division, managing teams responsible for artist tools, personalized recommendations, and AI-powered music analysis. His prior experience includes work on IBM's groundbreaking Watson platform and leading global data science for industrial conglomerate United Technologies, granting him a rare fusion of expertise in artificial intelligence and large-scale system architecture.

At SoundCloud, Abrams will lead all global engineering efforts with a directive to speed up technological advancement. Central to his mandate will be leveraging AI and machine learning to cultivate stronger artist-listener relationships and reinforcing the platform's product roadmap centered on creators. "The future of music discovery depends on technology that can intuitively grasp both listener preferences and creator objectives," Abrams stated. This recruitment underscores SoundCloud's sharpened focus on technological competition in a market where sophisticated algorithmic curation, exemplified by features like Spotify's Discover Weekly, is fundamental for driving user retention and platform expansion.