Gustavo Lopez (music producer)

Gustavo Lopez (born December 9, 1972 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) serves as CEO of the Saban Music Group, LLC (SMG). 
==Early life== 
Lopez moved to Los Angeles at age 11. He began his music business career working at Latin music retail outlets and as a DJ at the early age of 15. Gustavo earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University, Northridge.
==Career==
After graduating from college, he began working as a sales representative at Universal Music Group and moved his way up from director to senior director to vice president of sales.
While working under the Universal umbrella, Lopez founded Machete Music, the nation’s leading urban Latin music company thanks to such chart-topping, multi-platinum selling artists such as Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, Luny Tunes and Héctor el Father, among others. After only 18 months in business, Lopez increased Machete’s market share making it the fastest-growing Latin label in recent history. https://hispanicexecutive.com/soundtrack-of-success/ Later, he launched Machete Regional, a division dedicated exclusively to the discovery and development of Regional Mexican artists.
In 2008, Lopez was instrumental in Universal’s acquisition of the Univision Music Group, which led to being appointed President of Fonovisa Records and Disa Records, labels of Universal Music Group (UMG). Fonovisa and Disa encompass Latin music's top-grossing Regional Mexican labels in the United States and Mexico.https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-music-latin-ent-restructures-113787
In 2011, he was named Executive Vice President of Brands and Digital for Universal Music Latin Entertainment overseeing the US and Mexico. In that role he implemented groundbreaking digital and branding initiatives throughout the company.https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/1177279/victor-gonzalez-gustavo-lopez-named-to-executive-posts-at-universal-music
Then in 2014, Lopez was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of Universal Music Latin Entertainment (UMLE), the world’s number one Latin music company.https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6157868/gustavo-lopez-promoted-to-evpgm-of-universal-music
In 2017, after 21 years at Universal Music Group, Lopez started his own company, Talento Uno Musichttps://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/gustavo-lopez-leaves-universal-21-years-launches-talento-uno-latin-music/. He served as CEO and Founder of Talento Uno Music, the first U.S-based full stack entertainment company for Latin music. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7905039/gustavo-lopez-talento-uno-latin-entertainment
Within 18 months of its launch, Talento Uno was acquired by billionaire, philanthropist, entertainment mogul Haim Saban and Saban Music Group was launched under Lopez’s leadership in July of 2019.https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8520404/billionaire-haim-saban-pledges-500-million-new-record-label-exclusive
Today he continues to serve as CEO. Saban Music Group is a Los Angeles based global entertainment company that will focus on international A&R, artist development and strategically supporting a 360 model for artists. SMG's global artist roster includes Static & Ben El Tavori (Israel), Mergui (Israel), Marie Monti (France), Chesca (Puerto Rico), and Reykon (Colombia), to name a few.
==Honors==
In 2017, Gustavo was selected by Billboard as one of the nation’s top brand players in Billboard’s Power Players List.https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8022282/latin-music-power-players-2017-list
In 2012, he was listed in Billboard’s 40 under 40 list as a “Latin Deal Driver”.https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/1084346/40-under-40-gustavo-lopez
In 2011, he was named as one of Billboard's Latin Power Players.https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/1173927/latin-power-players-gustavo-lopez
Gustavo has also been actively involved in the development of Latin music and its artists, speaking at various conferences including, ANA Conferences, Billboard Latin Conferences, the Digital Hollywood Conference and Hispanicize.
==Personal life==
Lopez is married, has four children and currently resides in Los Angeles.
== References ==
==External links==
* Gustavo Lopez on linkedin
* Exec Profile: Gustavo Lopez | Music Connection Magazine
* Gustavo Lopez Launches 'Talento Uno,' Full Stack ... - Billboard
* THIS MULTI-BILLIONAIRE MEDIA TYCOON IS PUMPING $500M INTO A NEW L.A-BASED MUSIC COMPANY. WHY?
* Saban Sees Opportunities in Music | Los Angeles Business
* Billionaire Haim Saban To Invest $500 Million In New Record Label
* Billionaire Mogul and Power Rangers Producer Haim Saban Launches Saban Music Group
* Gustavo Lopez on instagram
Category:1972 births
Category:People from Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Category:Bachelor's degrees
Category:California State University, Northridge alumni
Category:Record producers
Category:Music industry executives