Former PlayNetwork and Pandora exec Rick Gleave joins Tuned Global as SVP, Head Of Europe & MENA – Music Business Worldwide

Rick Gleave, who helped PlayNetwork and Pandora expand to new markets, is now joining Australia-based B2B streaming technology company Tuned Global in a newly-created role of Senior Vice President and Head of Europe and MENA (Middle East and North Africa).

London-based Gleave will help Tuned Global extend its reach to new markets and scale up its network of clients and partners, while also leading the expansion of local teams in the coming months.

He will report to Tuned Global’s Chief Revenue Officer, Spiro Arkoudis.

In his previous role as SVP and Head of International for PlayNetwork, a company that provides in-store background music, Gleave helped the firm expand in Australia and led the roll-out of its Apple Music for Business offering across Apple’s key markets outside North America.

Before that, Gleave served as founding director of Business Development & Partnerships at Pandora’s Australia and New Zealand office.

In that role, Gleave supported Pandora’s growth of the company’s Australian team.

“Rick’s track record of launching services in new markets and building strong teams makes him the perfect candidate for amping up Tuned Global’s presence across Europe and MENA.”

Con Raso

With Gleave, Tuned Global will deepen its push into the European market, a strategy which it’s already made progress on through partnerships with companies like UFC Ultimate Sound (by ACX Music) in Norway, and Rehegoo, Reactional Music, Psycle and Pure Energy in the UK.

The company will also expand its presence in North Africa after previously partnering with multilingual social network platform Sewasew in Ethiopia and streaming application WAW Muzik in Ivory Coast.

“I am super excited to be working with the Tuned Global team – a company not only working to unlock revenues in the streaming economy but constantly future-proofing the business by investing in emerging tech. I’m looking forward to helping providers across the region offer elegant and intuitive streaming products for consumers,” Gleave said.

Commenting on Gleave’s new appointment, Tuned Global Managing Director Con Raso said: “Rick’s track record of launching services in new markets and building strong teams makes him the perfect candidate for amping up Tuned Global’s presence across Europe and MENA. Growing our footprint in the region will be key to executing our long-term vision and further entrenching Tuned Global’s reputation as the go-to international B2B streaming technology partner.”

Tuned Global runs offices in Australia, the UK and the US.

Founded in 2011, the company helps telcos, brands, enterprises and startups globally launch, run and grow a music streaming service or project.

It has previously developed custom apps for Warner Music Group (on a custom Ed Sheeran app), Universal Music Group and Pizza Hut, amongst many others.Music Business Worldwide