NOMEX, the collaborative platform for the five Nordic Music Export offices, has announced Ludvig Werner at its new Chairman effective April 1st 2017. Werner, the Managing Director of IFPI Sweden, takes over from Gunnar Madsen of ROSA - The Danish Rock Council, who has chaired the network since 2010 and taken the decision to step down.

The announcement highlights a new phase for NOMEX, as the network concludes the final stages of its five-year Strength In Unity Programme.

Funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, Strength In Unity has enabled the five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – to establish a unified voice for Nordic music. It has also been a hotbed for a range of projects, such as Ja Ja Ja Music and the Nordic Playlist, which have contributed to exposure and recognition of Nordic music globally as well as within the Nordic countries.

As part of the restructuring, NOMEX Programme Director, Anna Hildur, will also leave the network to set up a film production company, Tattarrattat, with artists and film makers Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard. Francine Gorman, Editor of Ja Ja Ja Music and the Nordic Playlist will continue as Editor along with setting up her own consultancy company.

Commenting on the changes, Ludvig Werner said: “NOMEX will continue to be a Nordic hub for collaboration, inspiration and joint efforts when exploring new music export possibilities for our five countries.“

Tuomo Tähtinen, NOMEX board member and Executive Director of Music Finland adds: “NOMEX has played a crucial role in the success of the Nordic music sector. We are delighted to welcome Ludvig as the Chairman of the network. I would also like to thank both Anna and Gunnar for their huge contributions in making NOMEX the success it is today.”

Projects such as the Nordic Playlist, Ja Ja Ja Music, Nordic Travel Pass, along with tailor-made export trips to the USA and Japan, have significantly contributed to discovery of new Nordic music and building the Nordic music brand. Within five years, Nordic operations have spanned across the globe, including the major music markets in the USA, the UK, Japan and Germany. The programme also included a capacity building and research element, helping the Nordic music industry professionals develop their skills in the digital environment and developing comparable music industry statistics in the Nordics.

NOMEX, originally set up as a collaborative platform in 2009, will continue as an active network. Well-established Ja Ja Ja club nights in London and Berlin will continue running. The websites of Ja Ja Ja and the Nordic Playlist will be merged together as a consolidated Nordic music medium. NOMEX will also continue actively developing the Nordic music industry’s collaborative export activities, including the successful projects in the USA and Japan.