Christiaan Kröner promoted to President at FUGA – Music Business Worldwide

Christiaan Kröner has been promoted to President of Downtown Music-owned B2B services platform FUGA has promoted COO.,

His promotion follows Pieter van Rijn’s recent move to the role of President, Downtown Music. 

Located at FUGA’s Amsterdam HQ, Kröner will oversee all global operations for the distributor – which counts Beggars Group, Better Noise Music, Ninja Tune and YEAR0001 amongst its 800+ clients.

Kröner was a founding member of one of the first crowdfunding platforms for music, SellaBand, before joining FUGA in 2012, where he led the distributor’s services department.

In 2020, Kröner was promoted to COO and has since overseen FUGA and Japanese music and media company Space Shower Networks’ JV, Space Shower FUGA. 

Alongside this, he led efforts to integrate FUGA’s proprietary technology with Downtown Music Holding’s other businesses, notably Downtown Neighbouring Rights, which merged with FUGA’s own Neighbouring Rights service in 2021. 

FUGA says that Kröner has been instrumental in building and developing both its marketing services and its licensing and royalty accounting departments.

Stepping into the role of COO is Darren Owen, FUGA’s former Global Head of Operations. Within his responsibility, Darren oversaw all aspects of FUGA’s operational business, including new label onboardings, content QC, DSP integrations and relationships, YouTube & UGC and front line client support. 

With over 20 years of experience across the digital music industry, Owen joined FUGA as Head of Client Services in 2017, starting with a team of 13 that grew under his leadership to a headcount of 55 employees spread across 4 continents. Owen will continue to be responsible for all elements of FUGA’s operations, as well as taking responsibility for the royalty department. 

Kröner’s move follows the promotion of Pieter van Rijn to the newly-created role of President of Downtown Music, where he will lead the entire business services division of the Downtown group of companies including FUGA, Adrev, Downtown Music Services, as well as Downtown’s Publishing Administration, Sync and Neighboring Rights organizations. 

“Christiaan has been pivotal to FUGA’s growth and global development in the last 12 years, both as Director of Aggregation & Services and as COO.”

Pieter van Rijn, Downtown

Pieter van Rijn, President of Downtown Music, said: “Christiaan has been pivotal to FUGA’s growth and global development in the last 12 years, both as Director of Aggregation & Services and as COO.

“From leading the landmark Space Shower FUGA venture in Japan to establishing FUGA’s marketing services department, Christiaan’s deep understanding and firm grasp of the digital landscape is unparalleled.

“I fully trust that he will lead FUGA and its staff with integrity and continue to develop the company’s global service offerings as FUGA steps into its next stage of growth.”

“It is an honor to be following in Pieter van Rijn’s footsteps as President of FUGA, a company I am privileged to have been a part of for the last 10 years.”

Christiaan Kröner, FUGA 

Christiaan Kröner, President of FUGA, added: “It is an honor to be following in Pieter van Rijn’s footsteps as President of FUGA, a company I am privileged to have been a part of for the last 10 years.

“Under Pieter’s leadership, FUGA’s proprietary technology and service offerings have become a true industry game-changer.

“I look forward to continuing his hard work alongside Darren Owen in his new role as COO – who’s impact across our global operations has contributed greatly to FUGA’s growth – in leading FUGA and its people into its next expansive chapter ” Music Business Worldwide