Deezer’s Julien Simon exits after nine years

Deezer’s Vice President of Music Rights and Label Relations, Julien Simon, is leaving the company after nine years.

MBW is told that he steps down at the end of this week.

Simon joined the streaming service during its early beginnings in Paris in 2008 and has led negotiations with rights holders and business partners.

During his tenure, Deezer launched its ad-based and subscription streaming service in 182 countries and partnered with mobile carriers in over 40 countries.

He relocated to New York City two years ago to help launch the service in the US.

It first arrived in 2015 through a high-definition subscription service for users of Sonos for $19.99. A premium-only tier rolled out for everyone in 2016.

Before joining Deezer, Simon spent nearly two years developing digital strategy and sales development at BMG Music from 2004.

He then spent just under three years at Sony Music in France as a Digital Senior Manager, working with partners including iTunes, Amazon and Orange.

In his departing email, Simon said: “It has been a real pleasure for the last nine years to work with all of you, and to be part of this amazing adventure.

“From the beginning, even if not everyone was convinced about it, we knew that streaming services would play an important role in the music business.”

julien simon

“From the beginning, even if not everyone was convinced about it, we knew that streaming services would play an important role in the music business.”

Label relations inquires for North America are now being directed to Label Relations Director David Atkinson.

SVP Institutional and Music Industry Relations Ludovic Pouilly is on hand for all other developments regarding labels and rights, and VP of North America Jorge Rincon is looking after North America matters.

Simon’s exit follows a string of top tier staff changes at Deezer over the last year.

Its US boss Tyler Goldman left to head up vape company PAX Labs in August.

Chief International Officer Gerrit Schumann left the streaming company for a senior role at German newspaper publisher Handelsblatt in January.

Rincon joined shortly after from international telecommunications and media company, Millicom, and Phil Moore, previously of Huawei Technologies, was appointed Vice President of Southern Europe and MEA.

Music Business Worldwide

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