Warner Music has hired former Napster senior executive Leanne Sharman to develop the company's digital and new business strategy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Sharman, who left Napster in February last year after a restructure to scale back the UK operation, joins with the official title of vice-president of business development for EMEA.
According to Warner Music she will be responsible for pursuing opportunities to generate revenues and also working with the company's US business development team to "oversee the local application of global strategic partnerships".
Sharman will report in to Eric Daugan, Warner's vice president of digital business for EMEA.
"The breadth of her experience will be invaluable as we evaluate opportunities in music, music-related and wider entertainment sectors, and her proven ability as a dealmaker, coupled with her high-level understanding of new technologies and business models, makes her a great fit for the team," said Daugan.
In January 2004, Sharman joined Napster from MP3.com, where she held the top European sales and marketing role, as Napster's first European executive. She has also worked at Fox Kids Europe and Walt Disney TV International.
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