EMPIRE Publishing Hired Emilio Morales for Latin America
The veteran music executive will oversee regional growth as the company expands its roster of songwriters.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Latin
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EMPIRE Publishing has appointed Emilio Morales as its new SVP of Business Development for Latin America. Morales joins the San Francisco-based firm to strengthen ties with Latin songwriters and producers across the region.
Why it matters
The hire aligns with the increasing prominence of Latin American artists in the global music industry. EMPIRE aims to leverage Morales' track record to accelerate its growth in this expanding market.
During his tenure at Rimas Publishing, Morales increased the client roster from 40 to over 150 writers and producers. The company subsequently earned Billboard Latin Music Awards for Publisher of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
The players
Emilio Morales
He is the new SVP of Business Development for Latin America at EMPIRE Publishing and a former Managing Director at Rimas Publishing.
EMPIRE Publishing
This is a division of the San Francisco-based music company EMPIRE that focuses on supporting songwriters and producers.
Vinny Kumar
He has served as the President of EMPIRE Publishing since November 2025.
Rimas Publishing
This firm is a notable publisher in the Latin music market that was recognized as Publisher of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
The details
Morales will focus on building partnerships across Latin America to deepen EMPIRE's regional presence. This move follows EMPIRE Publishing's 2024 achievement of reaching the Top 10 in Billboard's Hot 100 Publisher Rankings.
Timeline
Rimas Publishing was named Publisher of the Year in 2021.
Rimas Publishing was named Publisher of the Year again in 2022.
EMPIRE Publishing reached Top 10 Billboard rankings in 2024.
Vinny Kumar became President of EMPIRE Publishing in November 2025.
US Latin recorded music revenues hit $542.2 million in the first half of 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The move reflects a broader trend of major publishers investing heavily in Latin music to capitalize on the region's rising global influence. By securing executive talent with proven scaling capabilities, EMPIRE aims to compete more aggressively in a market that saw $542.2 million in revenue during the first half of 2026.
Listeners can expect to see an increased volume of content and collaborations from regional artists signed through EMPIRE Publishing's expanded network. This strategic growth may lead to greater accessibility for Latin music across diverse streaming platforms.
The takeaway
This executive hire signals EMPIRE's commitment to capturing a larger share of the rapidly growing Latin music market. It serves as a reminder that the music business is increasingly focused on regional expertise to drive global chart success.
Further reading
For more on the evolving music landscape, visit the Latin section.
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