Warner Music South East Europe (WM SEE) is about to launch WM Balkans. The joint venture is a collaboration between WM SEE, Croatian label Dancing Bear, Serbian label Mascom and Slovenian label NIKA.
Warner said the launch allows WM SEE to bring all its activities in the Western Balkans under one label, while it continues to operate in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary and Romania.
WM Balkans plans to sign and develop artists mainly from Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, but also from other Western Balkan countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
WM SEE general manager Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska will oversee the brand in addition to her other responsibilities for the wider region.
The launch of WM Balkans follows a series of investments, mergers and acquisitions by Warner Music SEE over the past few years. In 2022, WM SEE acquired a stake in Serbian brand Mascom, run by CEO Slobodan Nesovic.
In March this year, Warner Music SEE acquired a minority stake in Slovenian label NIKA, which is run by its co-founders Darjo Rot and Marko Stopar.
Meanwhile, in June 2024, Warner Music SEE acquired a minority stake in Dancing Bear, a well-known Croatian independent record label run by Silvije Varga (co-founder and managing director).
Warner said that as part of the recent deal, Dancing Bear will be able to tap the services of Warner’s independent distribution and recording services arm ADA on behalf of its artists and “potentially elevate them to the upper reaches of Warner Music’s global roster.”
“Warner Music Balkans is the culmination of the team’s relentless pursuit over the past few years to work with the best partners in the region,” said Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska.
Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska, Warner Music South East Europe
Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska said: “Warner Music Balkans is the culmination of the team’s relentless pursuit over the past few years to work with the best partners in the region.
“Bringing our joint ventures and investments under one label will benefit everyone involved and allow our artists to get the best from Warner Music’s global network. With talented musicians like Edita, Sergej Pajić and Ukić Releasing music on this label, we have a great summer of music coming up!
“Iza and the Warner Music team have begun working with WM Balkans.”
Slobodan Nesovich, Mascom
Mascom CEO Slobodan Nesovic said: “Iza and the Warner Music team have begun working with WM Balkans.
“They have partnered with us to promote and place Sergej Pajić and Edita’s next collaborative track through the label and we are already seeing great results. This is just the beginning!
“I am very excited to announce the launch of WM Balkans.”
Sylvie Varga “Dancing Bear”
Silvije Varga, co-founder and managing director of Dancing Bear, added: “I am delighted to announce the launch of WM Balkans.
“Hot products can come from anywhere and this new business will allow us to see some exciting cross-collaborations. I’m excited to see what we will achieve together.”
“We have been working with Warner Music for nearly three decades, and WM Balkans is the next chapter in our relationship.”
Dagio Lott, Nikka
Darjo Rot, co-founder of NIKA, said: “We have been working with Warner Music for nearly 30 years, and the launch of ‘WM Balkans’ is a new chapter in our partnership.
“Together with the other joint venture partners and their artists, we will really be able to push each other into new genres and territories.”global music business
