Warner Music Names Mateusz Smoka Managing Director for Eastern Europe

Warner Music Group has named Mateusz Smółka as Managing Director of Warner Music Eastern Europe, a new role created to oversee operations in Poland, Czech Republic, South Eastern Europe and Ukraine. Smółka joins the company after eight years at Spotify, where he led editorial and artist‑label partnership teams across ten Eastern European markets. The appointment was announced on 1 September 2026 and will be based in Warsaw, with Smółka reporting to Simon Robson, president of EMEA.

Smółka’s responsibilities include driving strategic expansion, expanding full‑service capabilities in talent development, distribution and strategic mergers and acquisitions. He will coordinate the label’s activities across the region, aligning local teams with Warner Music’s global strategy. The role reflects the company’s focus on strengthening its presence in a region that has seen rapid growth in music consumption and artist output.

According to the company, Smółka brings more than two decades of experience in music, media and technology. His career began as a journalist before moving into advisory and leadership positions in the industry. At Spotify, he managed editorial programming and artist‑label partnerships across 10 markets, a role that required coordination of local content strategy, licensing and revenue generation. The experience is seen as relevant to Warner Music’s goal of expanding its market share and developing local talent.

Simon Robson, president of EMEA, said Smółka has a proven record of driving creative and commercial growth across Eastern Europe. Robson added that Smółka’s expertise in artist development and fan culture makes him well‑suited to lead growth in the region. The statement was released in a press announcement issued by Warner Music Group.

Smółka expressed enthusiasm about joining Warner Music at a transformative moment for the industry in Eastern Europe. He noted the region’s large volume of emerging creative talent and said he looks forward to partnering with teams to empower the artist roster and promote local sounds worldwide. The appointment follows recent moves by Warner Music to strengthen its regional operations, including the hiring of a chief financial officer for Eastern Europe and the acquisition of a Polish label.

The new role positions Warner Music to consolidate its presence in Eastern Europe, a market that accounts for a growing share of global music consumption. Smółka will oversee operations across key markets and lead initiatives in talent development, distribution and strategic M&A. The appointment is effective immediately and will be based in Warsaw.