With 550 employees and 40 offices globally, ONErpm remains fully owned by its founder
Jul 9, 2024
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Emmanuel Zunz, the founder of ONErpm, a disruptive global music distribution company that started in Brazil, shares insights on his remarkable journey. He discusses the bold strategy that challenges major labels and the company's aspirations to become the fifth largest record company globally. Zunz emphasizes artist independence and the evolving power dynamics in the industry. He also talks about navigating the challenges of emerging markets, rejecting venture capital for sustainable growth, and championing innovation in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
ONErpm's unique independence, maintained by founder Emmanuel Zunz without outside funding, positions it as a profitable contender against major labels.
The evolving music industry landscape empowers artists to negotiate better deals, emphasizing service quality over the traditional notion of independence.
Deep dives
1RPM's Unique Position in the Music Industry
1RPM has emerged as a significant player in the music industry, challenging major record companies, particularly in Brazil. Founded by Emmanuel Zunz in 2010, the company has expanded globally and offers diverse partnerships, including DIY distribution and full-service deals. Zunz emphasizes that 1RPM is a profitable company, primarily funded by its earnings, allowing it to remain independent from private equity or venture capital pressures. This unique position enables 1RPM to provide substantial advances to artists while maintaining control over decision-making processes.
Redefining Independence in the Music Business
The concept of independence in the music industry is evolving, as Zunz argues that merely being labeled an independent company may no longer hold value. For artists, what truly matters is the quality of services and commercial terms offered by the company they choose. Zunz notes that the democratization of the music market has allowed artists more leverage to negotiate favorable deals, shifting the focus from company types to the tangible support provided. This transformation necessitates a reevaluation of what it means to be independent, pushing for equitable partnerships that empower artists.
Investment in Emerging Markets
Zunz identifies Africa as a key region for future growth, having already seen success in areas like Nigeria and the Caribbean. Investments in these emerging markets have proven more challenging due to political and economic volatility but present significant opportunities for long-term growth. Zunz highlights the importance of thorough research and gradual market penetration, allowing 1RPM to establish a foothold while avoiding reckless expansion. By leveraging the potential in these markets, 1RPM aims to sustain its growth trajectory and capitalize on emerging music consumption trends.
Technology as a Competitive Advantage
1RPM's approach to technology is integral to its operational efficiency and client services, marked by a unique content management system that allows for flexibility and transparency. This proprietary technology supports comprehensive marketing campaigns by enabling clear task assignments and progress tracking across various departments. Zunz emphasizes that this technological advantage differentiates 1RPM from competitors, who may struggle to deliver promised services at scale. By combining innovative technology with genre-specific marketing strategies, 1RPM can create customized solutions tailored to the needs of its artists and labels.
On the latest Music Business Worldwide podcast, MBW founder Tim Ingham is joined by Emmanuel Zunz, founder of ONErpm, one of the recorded music industry's most interesting companies and something of a quiet giant.
When it was founded in 2010, ONErpm quickly gained ground in Brazil, where it continues to challenge the major record companies for market share. Since finding success in Brazil, ONErpm has grown all over the planet, offering a range of partnerships to artists, from low-margin DIY distribution to higher-margin full-service deals.
Understood to turn over a substantial nine-figure sum each year, ONErpm is profitable because it has to be: One of the most remarkable things about the company, over and above the fact that it runs more than 40 offices globally, is that Zunz continues to fully own the business.
He's never taken a cent of private equity or venture capital money, and he's rebuffed a number of acquisition approaches from major music companies and other parties.
As he explains on this podcast, Zunz’s ambition is simple — to become the fifth largest record company in the world while maintaining a profitable, sustainable business controlled by its founder…
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