Hildibrandsdottir’s New NOMEX Role

Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdottir started her new job as programme director of Nordic Music Export Feb. 1, prompting further speculation that Scandinavia may be the platform for what’s referred to as the “Nordic Hub.”

The idea of creating a region that stretches from Oslo to Moscow has been the subject of a lot of music industry chat since last May’s Music & Media in Finland, without ever appearing to get further than the idea stage.

But the NOMEX statement announcing the former head of Iceland Music Export’s new role makes it clear that Hildibrandsdottir will be “working alongside the Icelandic, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Danish export offices and focusing on strengthening connections across the Nordic market.”

The plan appears to have some political support. Following the presentation of its new strategy (“Strength in Unity”), NOMEX was given a grant of 2 million Danish Kronas (around $350,000) by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

It may only be another formal collaboration between the Scandinavian countries, and the first clues as to whether it has a wider significance will likely emerge at Norway’s By:Larm showcase conference in Oslo (Feb. 16-18) or Tallinn Music Week in Estonia (March 29-31).

Tuomo Tähtinen, recently appointed executive director of the newly created Music Finland, was one of the first to refer to a “Nordic Hub” stretching from Oslo to Moscow, and the Tallinn conference has historically focused on the Baltic States having closer ties with their Scandinavian neighbours.

Hildibrandsdottir’s successor in the Iceland office is Sigtryggur Baldursson, a founding member of The Sugarcubes and Smekkleysa (Bad Taste) record label.