Sarah Ismail has been appointed as the new Managing Director of ADA Asia, leading label Warner Music Group’s indie and artist services arm. Heartily, she will continue her role as the Managing Director of Warner Music Philippines for a little while longer. This double duty means more fantastic music is on the horizon.
She will be working with key industry leaders such as Co-Presidents of Warner Music, Chris Gobalakrishna, Jonathan Serbin, and Cat Kreidich. ADA Asia is gearing up for major expansion deals in the region, with cards already in place with top companies such as Bandai-Namco in Japan and Rap Viet in Vietnam. This expansion promises to bring even more incredible indie music to fans across South-East Asian territories.
In Vietnam, ADA Asia has also welcomed Thuan Tran as its new Label Manager. Thuan, who comes from Vietnam’s leading music streaming platform Zing MP3, will help amplify the voices of local indie artists, giving them a platform to shine on a global stage.
Chris Gobalakrishna and Jonathan Serbin expressed their excitement over Sarah’s promotion, praising her visionary mindset and exceptional management skills. Cat Kreidich echoed their sentiments, emphasizing Sarah’s deep understanding of artist development and her ability to create opportunities for indie artists.
I’m excited to meet and get to know our ADA artists and label partners. We strive to form authentic collaborations with independent artists, helping them expand their reach and nurture their artistry as their careers progress.
Sarah Ismail, Managing Director of ADA Asia
Sarah herself is thrilled about the new role. With her leadership, ADA Asia is set to champion diverse talents and continue to forge new paths in the music industry, whilst growing its presence across Asia.
Reflecting on her journey thus far, Sarah shared with Popspoken, “Since I was young, music has sparked my curiosity about the world. I’ve always enjoyed listening to music, especially during long bus rides. I feel incredibly fortunate to work in the industry. Ever since my days as an intern at a radio station in Singapore, my passion has been discovering new music and sharing it with others.”
Since joining Warner Music Group in 2019, Sarah has quickly risen through the ranks, playing a crucial role in the success of emerging musicians such as alternative rock bands, Lola Amour and Dilaw hailing from the Philippines. Her talent for identifying and nurturing artists has been a significant factor in Warner Music’s achievements in the South-East Asian region.
Get ready for an exciting wave of indie music and collaborations coming your way with ADA Music.
