Narcís Rebollo Appointed CEO and President of UMG’s Newly Standalone Global Talent Services Division
Written by djfrosty on October 1, 2024
Narcís Rebollo has been appointed CEO and president of Global Talent Services, Universal Music Group’s full-service company for Latin artists spanning management, booking, live events, promotion and brand partnerships.
In line with Rebollo’s appointment, which was announced by Universal Music on Tuesday (Oct. 1) and is effective immediately, Global Talent Services (GTS) becomes a standalone company, with its management and operation now handled independently from UMG’s local music labels.
In the newly created role of GTS CEO and president, Rebollo — who is based in Madrid — will oversee the company’s operations in the U.S., Latin America, Spain and Portugal, reporting to Jesús López, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula. Further details of leadership appointments within Universal Music Iberian Peninsula will follow shortly, said UMG in a statement announcing the structural changes.
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Launched in 2007, Global Talent Services provides a full suite of artist services for Latin artists and operates offices in eight countries, including the U.S., Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico and Columbia.
Artists signed to GTS’ management roster in Spain include Antonio José, Salma, Natalia Lacunza and Mala Rodriguez with the company’s live events team booking over 500 shows in the country last year, according to Universal Music.
Other markets where UMG says Global Talent Services is experiencing solid growth include Mexico, where it booked 175 shows for 25 artists in 2023; and Brazil, where the company has had strong success as a booking agency and managing partner for artists projects by Maneva, Leo Santana, Atitude 67, Felipe Araújo and Paula Fernandes.
One of GTS’s biggest campaigns to date has been establishing Colombian band Morat as one of the leading Spanish-speaking pop-rock acts in the world with its “Si Ayer Fuera Hoy” 2023-2024 global tour — which included a sold-out show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden Theater in January — selling more than one million tickets across 125 concerts and over 15 countries, according to the company. GTS also operates the multi-date Universal Music Festival, which takes place every year in the Spanish capital city of Madrid.
Prior to today’s appointment, Rebollo served as president of Universal Music Iberian Peninsula since 2015, where he was responsible for UMG’s recorded music and GTS operations in Spain and Portugal. Under his leadership, the company grew its operations to include concert booking and promotion, festivals, touring and live events with GTS clients including Latin artists David Bisbal, David Bustamante, Pablo López, Lola Indigo, Aitana and Camila Fernández.
Before joining Universal, Rebollo held senior roles at Spanish independent music company Divucsa, BMG, electronic dance music label Max Music and Spain’s biggest independent label, Vale Music, which Universal acquired in 2006.
“Narcís is one of the most experienced executives in Latin music,” said Jesús López in a statement. “His vision of the evolution of the business and the expansion of Latin music around the world in recent years, has led him to create a very successful team in Spain and Portugal in the areas of management, booking, promotion and brands.”
López went on to say that GTS was born “with the purpose of being a full-service agency for artists, and the time has come for it to become an independent business unit within UMG.” Rebollo, added López, is the “perfect leader” to lead the growth of GTS globally.
“Today more than ever, our artists need strategic support from a company that is both fully focused on management, but with the ability to deliver global services and support,” said Rebollo in a statement. “With the explosion of interest and influence of live music, and music driving social engagement and conversation more than ever, I strongly believe that GTS is perfectly positioned to provide the best support for Latin artists around the world.”