Qobuz announces Ritch Sibthorpe as Australian MD

French hi-res streaming and download service Qobuz has announced Ritch Sibthorpe as managing director for its Australian operations.

The platform launched in Australia in April.

Qobuz has just opened an office in the UK, and London-based Sibthorpe will also be MD for New Zealand, the UK and Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

Sibthorpe’s appointment comes nine months after Qobuz raised over US$11 million to fund global expansion.

This year it struck a deal with French digital music distributor TuneCore to make its music available on its platform, and became the first music platform to deliver 24-bit hi-res audio to Sonos speakers.

Sibthorpe said he’s very excited about joining the Qobuz family, and called the platform the “ultimate choice for music aficionados”.

“The passion of the team and its undiluted focus on the art of music means Qobuz delivers the closest possible digital experience to spending time in your local neighbourhood record store,” he added.

“Connecting with music fans, artists, communities and cultures at a local level is at the heart of our philosophy and I look forward to helping develop, and support, the Qobuz community in the region.”

Source: LinkedIn 

Sibthorpe started out 20 years ago as a music journalist and brand PR before joining Warner Music Group as its vice president for digital marketing and content partnerships.

From there, he became managing director for Disney Music Group EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa), and most recently led global marketing and PR for Chelsea Football Club’s digital ventures unit.

Qobuz also made two other senior appointments, Fabian Sautier as chief brand officer and Pierre Largeas as managing director for Southern Europe.

Deputy CEO Georges Fornay said the new hires will help spread Qobuz’s presence across the globe.

“I look forward to the energy and expertise each new hire will bring as we continue to support new talent, local artists, and stand up for high-quality sound and music culture,” he said.