This month for our Member Spotlight, we are thrilled to feature Adel Hattem; the CEO and Founder of DMusicMarketing, an agency that develops both non-Latin and Latin talent in the Latin American market. Based in Miami and across Latin America, DMM offers efficient, dynamic and all-encompassing solutions to its clients in order to overcome and conquer the intricacies of the region.
Adel is a bicultural marketing specialist with 25+ years of experience in the music industry. She has held senior positions with industry giants - she worked as Marketing Director for Universal Music Mexico, Vice President of Marketing for Latin America at EMI and Marketing Manager at BMG Entertainment- before founding DMM in 2013. While working with the majors, Adel helped develop and set a footprint in the market for talent such as Arctic Monkeys, Placebo, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, David Guetta, Norah Jones, and Katy Perry.
With DMM she now works with renowned labels like the Beggars Group, Domino Recordings, Ultra, and the Secretly Group, and has a diverse portfolio of artists such as Björk, Franz Ferdinan, Idles, Radiohead, Helado Negro, Ela Minus, The National, The XX, Bon Iver, Interpol, Sharon Van Etten, Steve Aoki and Jungle among others. DMM has seen exponential growth in the last couple of years with a local team in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Miami. DMM continues to expand as new clients arrive, eager to explore and discover their impact in the Latin American region.
My name is Adel Hattem, I am the founder of Dmusic Marketing. I am originally from Mexico City and have been in Miami for 15+ years.
A typical day in my life as the founder of DMM begins at 5 AM with an invigorating hour of Kundalini yoga. Following that, I prepare school lunches and accompany my teenagers to school. Three days a week, I prioritize my physical well-being by engaging in a workout session from 8 to 9 AM.
Once 9:15 AM rolls around, I kick off my workday. This entails a series of Zoom calls involving clients, media representatives, DSPs,, as well as virtual team meetings with our diverse team of 15 professionals situated across Latin America. Throughout the afternoon, I dedicate myself to answering emails that have accumulated throughout the day, while also staying in touch with our promotional team in Mexico and tending to clients based in LA or Australia.
As the evening approaches, my work pace gradually slows down, at this point, I shift my focus to preparing dinner for my family, enjoying the precious moments spent with my husband and children. Following our evening meal, I find solace in winding down with a book.
What are some tips for getting a first job in the music industry?
Resilience and perseverance were key factors that played a pivotal role in my journey towards securing my first job at a label. Following the initial job interview, I demonstrated unwavering determination by consistently following up, effectively showcasing by passion and commitment to the industry,
Can you name a few women you admire?
I admire all the women in my life and all the women I know. I can see in each of them the success they have achieved and the challenges they overcome. I see the success of one is the success of all, and I believe that if we support each other, we can become the best version of ourselves. The teachings of one of the women that helped me in the past ten years (especially when I started my own company) are still very relevant and helpful in my daily life, although she passed a few years ago. I find particularly admirable her ability to blend ancient spiritual practices with modern technology and culture. She has been able to create a community that is inclusive and welcoming while also pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of personal growth and transformation. She has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and gender equality, both within the yoga community and beyond. I also admire my mother in particular. I am forever grateful for the inspiration my mother has provided through her resilience, unwavering optimism and tireless work ethic. Her love and support have been instrumental in shaping the person I am today.
What are some values that guide your life?
I dedicate myself to fostering an environment of empowerment and collaboration, constantly striving to provide support to my team. In my view the concept of competition pales in comparison to the value of constructing a community rooted in transparency and honesty.
Do you have any tips for staying grounded during the day?
Deep breaths.
Meditation, good diet, a good sense of humor and good people around you.
Separate work from homelife, don’t take everything so seriously.
Positive thoughts - even when life seems impossible always look at the positive.
What would be a piece of advice for younger self?
Don’t overfill your schedule or workload. Work a little less. Enjoy time and the present.
Do you have a favorite song to wake up to?
Wake Up Boo! by The Boo Radleys.
What would be your most memorable experience whilst working in the music industry?
I have had so many incredible and memorable moments seeing emerging artists grow, fans using music as a healing tool and seeing executives grow and develop. One of the most memorable experiences in my life so far was rising above the gender expectations of my ex-superiors and colleagues from my last corporate role by starting my own business as a mother of three. I was told that I should no longer be working as I had children, and I wanted to prove to my own young kids at the time, that you can create your own reality. That if you love something enough and you dedicate yourself to it, you can achieve anything.
Connect with Adel on LinkedIn and check DMusic Marketing HERE.
Read more about the shesaid.so Miami Chapter and sign up HERE.