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Colombian record executive Adriana Restrepo has been appointed IFPI’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Restrepo will now head the global record music organization’s regional operations in Latin American and the Caribbean, based out of the organization’s offices in Miami and reporting directly to IFPI chief executive Frances Moore.

Restrepo takes over the post vacated by Javier Asensio, who served as regional director of the IFPI since 2011. Asensio, who’s been on Billboard’s Latin Power Player list on multiple occasions, stepped down from his role at the end of 2022 to return to his native Spain.

“Having worked directly with Adriana for a number of years as she served on our boards, I know first-hand the level of passion, commitment and knowledge of the Latin American music sector that she brings to the role,” said Moore in a statement. “I would also like to thank Javier who has been outstanding in overseeing our work in the region for over a decade and achieved so much during a period of rapid change and evolution in the market.” 

Restrepo comes from a business and recording industry background and is one of the very few women who have headed record labels, including multinationals, in Latin America. She was most recently president of Sony Music Andes, based in Bogotá, Colombia, and overseeing Sony’s operation in the Andean region, which includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Prior to that, Restrepo was president of powerful Colombian indie Codiscos, one of the region’s oldest and most respected labels and publishers, with a vast catalogue of tropical and popular music.

Restrepo comes to the post at a time when the Latin American music industry is on a path of massive growth. Recorded music revenues in Latin America grew 31% in 2021, exceeding $1 billion in revenues for the first time, and making it the 12th year of consecutive growth for the region.

Restrepo, who served on the IFPI’s main board between 2018 and 2020 is familiar with the organization.

“The region is experiencing a stellar moment due to the massive production of new talent for the entire world,” she said in a statement. “I will continue the good work developed by Javier with the National Groups and the collective management organisations seeking to reach new goals for the benefit of IFPI members.”

At Sony Andes, Maria Mercedes “Mechas” Montejo has been appointed to lead the company.

 “We will miss Adriana here at Sony Music Latin Iberia, but we are thrilled to know that her professionalism and experience will be of service to the entire Latin music industry in her new role.  We wish her all the best,” said Afo Verde, chairman & CEO Latin America, Spain and Portugal for Sony Music Entertainment.

Verde, and the other regional label heads will be working closely with Restrepo, as they do traditionally with IFPI leadership, and support for Restrepo has been unanimous.

 “Adriana brings experience, knowledge and a great capacity for work, at a time when the challenges we face in Latin America continue to be enormous.  There is nobody better than her to continue the great job done by Javier Asensio during the last decade,” said Jesús López, chairman & CEO, Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula, Universal Music Group.

Added Alejandro Duque, president, Warner Music Latin America: “I’ve known Adriana for many years and believe she has the right qualities and commitment to lead and execute our industry’s agenda in the region for years to come.”