Empire has hired Guillermo Ramos as managing director, Europe and Ted May as senior vice president, international marketing.
Ramos and May are familiar industry figures in the UK having previously served in senior roles at Virgin Music and MNRK/eOne, respectively. Both are based out of the London office, which is Empire’s international headquarters.
Guillermo Ramos will oversee the company’s operations, roster expansion in Europe and provide strategic leadership to the European team of territory managers, which include France and German speaking territories.
Ted May will focus on connecting Empire’s regional divisions and marketing teams, which span six continents, and lead strategies for global growth.
The pair will “collaborate to bring together the rapidly expanding ex-US team, aligning Empire's international blueprint to continue the meteoric rise of the label and its artists”, according to the announcement.
Empire is nominated for Independent Record Company at the Music Week Awards 2025.
Shaboozey, who is nominated at the BRITs on the weekend, had the sixth biggest single in the UK last year with A Bar Song (Tipsy), released via American Dogwood/Empire. The Top 3 single has amassed consumption of 1,494,585 units in the UK, according to the Official Charts Company.
“What Empire has achieved in the last 15 years is truly game-changing, and I am very proud to be joining and contributing at this crucial moment in their story,” said Guillermo Ramos. “Steady and meaningful expansion in Europe – and the globe – is a priority for our next chapter, driven by our leadership in the independent sector, at a time when an industry-wide paradigm shift is underway”.
What Empire has achieved in the last 15 years is truly game-changing
Guillermo Ramos
“I am a huge admirer of Ghazi and Nima’s maverick spirit and Empire’s unique place in the music ecosystem,” said Ted May. “It’s a privilege to join the team at this special time in its history and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to its global expansion.”
Nima Etminan, Empire COO, said: “Empire’s global expansion has historically been cemented by bringing on strong pillars who adopt and adapt our DNA for the respective territories and cultures. Our London operation is integral to this as the centerpiece between the Americas, Africa and Asia – and with Guillermo and Ted, we feel confident to have found two seasoned, yet hungry and motivated individuals who will understand how to solidify our presence in Europe and expand our global footprint in international territories.”
Ramos has 18 years of industry experience, most recently as general manager, Virgin Music Group UK, where he was responsible for direct management of the teams across marketing, audience development, streaming & commercial and promotions departments.
Over the course of his career, including as marketing director at Island, Ramos has worked on campaigns by key artists including Rema, Hozier, Gotye, Dermot Kennedy, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Post Malone and Mumford & Sons.
With over 25 years in the music industry, May previously served as managing director, UK & international at MNRK/eOne, where he led all operations outside of the US. He has worked with acts including The Streets, Cher, New Order and The Lumineers.
Empire has secured global breakthroughs for acts including Fireboy DML, Tyga, Shaboozey, Asake, and more. Asake, who is BRITs-nominated, sold out the O2 London two years in a row.
In addition to its UK success, Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy) tied with Lil Nas X for the longest running US Hot 100 No.1 of all time. The single also secured 14 global Top 10s.
PHOTO: (L-R) Ted May, Ghazi, Guillermo Ramos, Nima Etminan
Photo Credit: Carsten Windhorst
FOLLOW 
