Industry legend Niko Nordström will step down from his position as MD, Warner Music Finland and EVP, Warner Music Nordics later this year.
Warner Music has announced that Ramona Forsström is to become Managing Director of Warner Music Finland in November. Forsström has been General Manager of the business since 2021 and will succeed Niko Nordström, who will be stepping down after 16 years working in the company.
Forsström will report directly to Mark Fry, President, Warner Music Nordics, who is based in Stockholm.
Forsström has spent over 15 years at Warner Music Finland and has been instrumental in the success of local artists including Antti Tuisku, Arttu Wiskari, BEHM, Ellinoora, Kaija Koo and SANNI, while helping break international stars such as Ava Max, Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Michael Bublé in the region.
Ramona Forsström says: “I’m excited to step into this new role leading our incredible team here in Finland. I want to thank Niko for his guidance and mentorship over many years. We’re lucky enough to be the leading player in one of the world’s most unique music markets because we work with the most talented and inspirational artists. I look forward to doing even more to support them and their careers in the future.”
Mark Fry adds: “I’m so pleased that Ramona has accepted this promotion. She is a huge talent whose counsel I value and who delivers time and again for our artists and our business. Her fresh leadership perspective will help us grow our roster and our artists’ careers. I’d like to thank the amazing Niko for his incredible support over the years and wish him all the best for his next ventures.”
Nordström was originally made Managing Director of Warner Music Finland in 2007, when Warner Music acquired Helsinski Music Company (HMC), which Nordström had founded. During his first decade with Warner Music in Finland, Nordström was credited with helping double the company’s market share. In 2017, he took on the role of President for Australasia before returning to Finland in 2020 to become EVP, Warner Music Nordics and Managing Director of Warner Music Finland. In 2018, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Emma Gaala, the Finnish equivalent of the U.S. Grammy Awards.
Forsström started her music industry career in 1997 as a Product Manager for EMI Finland. She later became Promotion Manager and stayed at the company until 2006. She then joined Live Nation Finland as a Promotion Manager, a role she held for two years, before joining Warner Music in 2008 as International Promotion Manager.
She later became International Marketing Manager and from there worked her way up to International Marketing Director and then to Marketing Director for both the international and local roster. She was named General Manager in 2021.
Forsström won the Record Company Promotions Person of the Year Award at the Radio Gala Awards a remarkable eight times between 2009-2017. She also won the Promotion/Marketing Person of the Year at the Music & Media Industry Awards Gala in 2012.
Source
Warner Music Group
