Ole Obermann

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Ole Obermann
2021 - MusicNotes SAM 9774 (51654965434).jpg
Ole Obermann in 2021
Alma mater Colgate University
OccupationMusic industry executive
Years active2000s–present
Employer Apple Inc.
TitleCo-Head of Apple Music

Ole Obermann is an American music industry executive serving as Co-Head of Apple Music since April 2025. [1] [2] He previously served as Global Head of Music Business Development at ByteDance/TikTok from 2019 to 2025, [3] and earlier held senior digital roles at Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Obermann is a graduate of Colgate University (Class of 1993). [5]

Career

Sony Music Entertainment

Obermann joined Sony Music Entertainment in 2006, rising to Senior Vice President of international roles before being promoted in 2012 to Executive Vice President, Global Digital Partner Development and Sales. [6] [4]

Warner Music Group

In November 2016, Obermann was appointed Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, Business Development at Warner Music Group, overseeing global business development and streaming strategy. [4] During his tenure, Warner announced a broad licensing agreement with Facebook covering recorded music and publishing catalogs for use across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Oculus. [7] He departed Warner in 2019. [8]

ByteDance / TikTok

Obermann joined TikTok/ByteDance in 2019 as Vice President and Global Head of Music, later expanding his remit to Global Head of Music Business Development and IP. [3] Reporting has credited his team with initiatives including the SoundOn artist distribution platform, SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio, and live event programming such as TikTok in the Mix, as well as navigating a high-profile licensing dispute and renewal with Universal Music Group. [9] He was a frequent public interlocutor on TikTok’s relationship with the music industry, including interviews with Forbes and WBUR’s On Point. [10] [11]

In February 2025, trade publications reported that Obermann would exit TikTok in March; [12] [9] industry outlets later confirmed his appointment as Co-Head of Apple Music alongside Rachel Newman. [1] [13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Stassen, Murray (29 April 2025). "Ole Obermann and Rachel Newman named Co-Heads, Apple Music". Music Business Worldwide. Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  2. ↑ Christoffel, Ryan (2 May 2025). "Apple Music shakeup hints at TikTok-inspired changes coming". 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac LLC. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 Stassen, Murray (6 December 2019). "Ole Obermann joins TikTok as Vice President, Global Head of Music". Music Business Worldwide. Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "Warner Music Group Names Ole Obermann Chief Digital Officer & EVP, Business Development". WMG.com. New York: Warner Music Group. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Digital Download". Colgate Magazine. Colgate University. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  6. ↑ Ingham, Tim (15 July 2016). "Warner pinches Ole Obermann from Sony to head up Business Development". Music Business Worldwide. Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Facebook signs 'holistic' licensing deal with Warner Music Group". Music Business Worldwide. Music Business Worldwide. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  8. ↑ Washenko, Anna (3 June 2019). "Warner Music Group's chief digital officer makes surprise exit". RAIN News. RAIN News. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  9. 1 2 "TikTok's top music exec is leaving after helping turn a lip-syncing app into a music industry force". Business Insider. Insider Inc. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  10. ↑ Baltin, Steve (21 December 2023). "Q&A: TikTok Global Head Of Music Ole Obermann On All Things Music". Forbes. Forbes Media. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "The man helping TikTok disrupt the music industry". WBUR On Point. WBUR. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  12. ↑ Stassen, Murray (18 February 2025). "Ole Obermann leaving TikTok for major role at Apple; Tracy Gardner moves into new role at ByteDance". Music Business Worldwide. Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Ole Obermann and Rachel Newman Named Co-Heads of Apple Music". Yahoo! Finance. Yahoo Inc. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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