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Former Sony Music U.S. Latin President Nir Seroussi Joining Interscope Records

Nir Seroussi, who left Sony Music U.S. Latin last month, has accepted a position with Interscope, sources tell Billboard.

Nir Seroussi, who left Sony Music U.S. Latin last month, has accepted a position with Interscope Geffen A&M, sources told Billboard ahead of an official announcement. The label confirmed the hire on Wednesday.

The industry veteran is joining Interscope as executive vice president, and will be tasked with signing and developing new talent while also working to expand the global reach of the label’s current artist roster, the company said.

Seroussi will continue to be based in Miami, where he’ll run the label’s planned offices there.

Sources have also confirmed with Billboard that joining Seroussi from Sony will be Jorge Fonseca, a veteran A&R exec, and Jose Cedeno, most recently senior vp of growth and innovation. Both are based in southern Florida.

Seroussi will report to Interscope Geffen A&M chairman and CEO John Janick.

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“Nir’s vision and taste align completely with Interscope,” said Janick. “When (Interscope EVP) Joie Manda and I first met with him about joining the company, we all immediately realized it was a perfect fit; he doesn’t look at A&R in a ‘traditional’ manner, and Interscope has always been anything but ‘traditional.’ He has an incredible track record, as his most recent successes show, and he also has a keen understanding of the Latin, the U.S., and the global music markets. But most importantly, he understands that the lines between these markets are being erased.”

Seroussi first joined Sony’s Latin operation in 2004 as vp marketing and A&R for Sony BMG U.S. Latin’s West Coast operations. Eight years ago, he was named managing director of Sony Music U.S. Latin and then, in 2014, was promoted to president. Under his direction, Sony Music U.S. Latin ended 2018 as the U.S.’s leading Latin music label, according to Nielsen Music, thanks to a focus on delivering hit singles from urban artists including Nicky Jam and Prince Royce.

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While a reason was not provided for Seroussi’s departure from Sony Music U.S. Latin, it was said to be under amicable terms.

“I’m very proud of Sony U.S. Latin’s unparalleled team and artists and all of their accomplishments,” Seroussi told Billboard at the time.

Interscope CEO John Janick‘s decision to bring Seroussi onboard suggests the company is interested in moving into the Latin market. While it represents acts across pop, rock, dance and hip-hop, this would be mostly uncharted territory for the label. But there seems to be ample space in the genre: According to Nielsen Music’s year-end numbers, Latin music received 69.8 billion audio and video streams in the U.S. alone during 2018 — growing 37 percent from 51 billion streams in 2017. Spanish-language songs’ prominence on the Billboard Hot 100 chart increased last year too, with 24 landing on the tally — up from 19 the year before.

Additional reporting from Leila Cobo and Hannah Karp.

Feb. 20: This story has been updated with details from the label.