Photo Credit: Sony Music Publishing
Sony Music Publishing is opening a new office in Lagos, Nigeria. Creative exec Godwin Tom will lead as Managing Director.
As the leader of Sony Music Publishing’s Nigeria division, Godwin will further the company’s global reach and support its growing roster of songwriters and composers across the region.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to work for the number one music publisher in the world,” Godwin says. “Africa has so much talent, culture, and uniqueness to share with the rest of the world and I am excited to be a part of the incredible global network of teams that will help build a home for Africa’s best songwriters.”
Godwin Tom will report to Sony Music Publishing President, International Guy Henderson. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce the appointment of Godwin Tom as the Managing Director of our start-up company in Nigeria,” adds Henderson.
“As Sony Music Publishing enters West Africa, Godwin’s wealth of experience and knowledge of the market, as well as his background in music industry education, make him the perfect leader for our business. Together with our talented team in South Africa, Sony Music Publishing looks forward to an ongoing acceleration in its global African footprint.”
With over twenty years of experience, Godwin Tom has a deep understanding of the African music industry and has fostered relationships with top stakeholders in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Most recently, Godwin was CEO of talent management company iManage Africa, where he worked alongside top talent, including Wizkid, Davido, Waje, MI, Wande Coal, Ice Prince, Bez, Show Dem Camp, Beverly Naya, Yung6ix, Jessy Jagz, Rooftop MCs, Solid Star, Ayo Jay, Ikon, and many others.
Over the last few years, Godwin has also supported the development of future industry leaders through the Music Business Academy for Africa, an e-learning platform dedicated to training the next generation of music and entertainment professionals.
Sony Music Publishing is continually expanding its presence in West Africa. The label recently signed Ghanaian pop act Gyakie. “If you look at where we started from and where we are right now, there’s been a lot of growth Oluwaseun Lloyd, Sony Music West Africa’s Head of Operations told Music in Africa. “The Sony Music West African office, due to the successes of our artists, has now become a go-to. So we have many internationals that hit us up, and we also have a lot of requirements to fulfill. We want to be able to do more of that.”