Warner Music India is looking to expand its presence in the entertainment sector across the country with its latest investment in the Chennai-based digital media and music company, Divo, that has a presence across four South Indian language music markets.
Founded in 2012, Divo offers online video, music distribution, publishing, digital and influencer marketing solutions for brands, celebrities and movies. The company claims to have a large presence in the Tamil market, and a fair share of the Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu music industries.
Commenting on the investment, Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music India, said in a statement, “I’m so delighted that we’re able to bring the Divo brand under the Warner Music India banner. This move will strengthen our presence in the south of the country, enabling us to have a truly strong Pan-India presence.”
Mehta joined Warner Music India in March 2020 from Sony Music India, where he served as Director of Digital Business for a number of years. “Divo’s extensive portfolio will not only bolster our core music offering in South India, but its entire artist-influencer ecosystem will further enhance our overall entertainment footprint,” said Mehta.
Alfonso Perez Soto, President, Emerging Markets, Warner Recorded Music, described the company’s acquisition of Divo as a major milestone for the group’s Indian journey. “We opened for business in 2020 and through a series of strategic deals and culturally relevant artist signings have fast established ourselves as a key player in the market. We’re excited to partner with Shahir and Vishu and the team at Divo, who have built an amazing company that operates at the intersection of four key music markets. Together, we’ll take South Indian music to a global audience,” explained Soto.
Shahir Muneer, Founder and Director, Divo, said in a statement, “It gives us immense pleasure to partner with Warner Music India. Having the backing of a global partner will put us on the map, helping us to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to attracting talent and clients. Our music business will benefit from better access to Warner Music’s global footprint and that will help us drive growth for our artist and label partners.”
Vishu Ramaswamy, Director, Divo, concluded by saying, “We are glad to partner with Warner Music India for the next phase of our growth. Our ideologies and long-term approach towards expansion in India connected in the right manner and with this association we’re sure that we will become the biggest entertainment entity in South India.”
Launched in 2020, Warner Music India has since grown its presence in the country by partnering up with companies like Global Music Junction, Sky Digital, Tips Music and Ziiki Media.
