Christopher BarrettWME has promoted Rob Markus to head of international for the agency’s contemporary music team.
In his expanded role, Markus will oversee all aspects of the agency’s international touring and strategy for contemporary music. Based at WME’s Beverly Hills headquarters, Markus is a senior partner at the agency, where has worked for more than 20 years, and proved instrumental in the international expansion of the Lollapalooza festival brand into Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
Among the many acts he has worked with at WME include Danny Ocean, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Flaming Lips and Will Smith. He previously ran EMI and Virgin Records in Hungary and set up EMI Music Publishing in Eastern Europe.
The announcement was made by WME global head of contemporary music and touring Lucy Dickins, and Kirk Sommer, WME’s global co-head of contemporary music and touring. In a statement, they said, “Rob understands the international touring business and its increasing complexities and importance to an artist’s career better than anyone. Having lived and worked around the world, Rob possesses a deep knowledge of the nuances of the live music space in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and South America, as well as emerging tour markets like the Middle East, Africa, and India. This expansion of his role fortifies our global music presence and elevates the best-in-class services we offer our clients and partners.”