New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Jaybird Communications) Indaba Music, the online home for more than 550,000 musicians around the world, has announced that music industry veteran J.J. Rosen has joined the company as CEO. Last week it was announced that
Queen Latifah was appointed co-chair of Indaba's Board of Directors. Indaba
Music is the definitive marketplace for the creation of new music online, featuring the leading professional network for musicians, an online music production platform, digital distribution, and an Opportunity Marketplace where brands, entertainment companies, and labels can source new music and talent.
Rosen was previously Executive Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment's Commercial Music Group. He joined SME in 2002 when it acquired Run Tones, the mobile entertainment company he co-founded and led as CEO. Before Run Tones, Rosen was a co-founder and President of N2K, an Internet music pioneer which went public in 1997. Indaba co-founders and previous co-CEOs Matthew Siegel and Dan Zaccagnino will remain active as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, respectively.
"I first became aware of Indaba Music while evaluating digital music opportunities at Sony. Indaba is best known by major labels and artists as the leader in aligning its huge base of talented musicians with superstars to facilitate new collaborations and recordings," said Rosen. "But as I learned more about Indaba's broader vision, I became increasingly excited about the role the company is poised to play in reshaping the music industry."
"Indaba Music has grown considerably since we launched in 2007, and is now poised to expand on its formidable leadership position in the market. J.J. has a proven track record of leading music startups to commercial success, and our new co-Chair Queen Latifah is one of the most respected celebrities and artists in the industry," said Co-Founder Matthew Siegel.
Musician, actress and businesswoman Dana Owens, known professionally as Queen Latifah, has made a significant investment in Indaba Music and joins Martha Crowninshield, general partner emerita of the internationally recognized private equity firm, Boston Ventures, as co-chair of Indaba Music's Board of Directors.
"Twenty years ago, as an up-and-coming musician, I had to struggle for opportunities," recalls Latifah. "What Indaba Music is doing today, is putting the tools for artistic creation and success right in the hands of the people. It's really exciting to see how Indaba Music empowers people to both create and then reap the rewards from their art."
