Fender Musical Instruments Corp. has hired Ethan Kaplan as its first Chief Digital Products Officer. Kaplan will be tasked with building a new global digital products division to support the long-term growth and expansion of the Fender brand and to create deeper connections with its global community of players. “We are very pleased to add Ethan to our management team,” said Andy Mooney, Fender’s CEO. “We see a tremendous opportunity to expand the brand into new digital product categories and services that will build on our leadership position with consumers and help us realize the full potential of the brand. Ethan’s experience and skill sets make him a great addition to the team, and they’ll serve us well as we work to build and better serve a more connected and engaged community of players globally.”
Kaplan brings to the company nearly 20 years’ experience building brands and driving growth across music, technology and digital product development. Most recently, Kaplan served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Music at Gracenote, a Tribune media company. Prior to Gracenote, Kaplan was Head of Product, Technology and Engineering, at Live Nation Entertainment’s Labs division, a live music company. There, he was responsible for growing the organization and relaunching Live Nation’s consumer-facing properties.
Before Live Nation, Kaplan served as Senior Vice President of Technology for Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music Group, where he drove technology initiatives for Warner’s roster of artists and labels, implemented critical business and tactical intelligence tools, and developed the company’s approach to fan engagement.