Federico Scialabba is the CEO and co-founder of Music Brokers, an independent record label and content company based in Argentina with a strong international presence. Specializing in the curation, edition, and distribution of both physical and digital music content, Music Brokers has built a reputation for innovation in a highly consolidated global music industry. With operations across Latin America, the United States, and Europe, Scialabba has been a key figure in the creation of alternative business models for the music sector.
From Nightclubs to Strategy: A Career Grounded in Culture
Scialabba’s career began on the ground level of the cultural scene in the 1990s, working between radio stations and DJ booths. This early exposure gave him a deep understanding of real-time listening behaviors and cultural consumption patterns. In the early 2000s, after holding executive roles at MCA Records and Universal Music Group, he identified the structural inefficiencies of the traditional label model. That insight led to the foundation of Music Brokers, designed around cost efficiency, editorial innovation, and a transversal distribution model.
Commercial Innovation in Times of Crisis
In its early phase, Music Brokers was built without external capital, instead leveraging partnerships with manufacturers, consignment production models, and unconventional distribution channels such as kiosks, bookstores, and pharmacies. Under Scialabba’s leadership, the company managed to scale during Argentina’s economic downturn, becoming one of the few independent labels able to sustainably maintain both proprietary catalogs and international licensing agreements.
Design became a core pillar of the brand, with thematic collections, curated compilations, and multi-format experiences setting the company apart. This allowed Music Brokers to operate in parallel with major labels without relying on their infrastructure or cost structures. Scialabba’s model anticipated the direct-to-consumer and multi-platform approaches that would later become industry standards in the digital era.
Regional Expansion and Vertical Integration
Scialabba spearheaded the company’s expansion into Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and the United States, opening new offices and establishing local operations. Simultaneously, he developed genre-focused verticals targeting distinct audiences—ranging from chill-out and tango to Argentine rock, international classics, and fusion projects. He also integrated music collections with editorial products and brand partnerships.
This strategy minimized reliance on major retail chains and reduced exposure to wholesale market risks. Music Brokers instead prioritized controlled rotation and niche specialization, which positioned the company as a reference in curated music experiences tailored to specific listening contexts.
Data-Driven Adaptation and Digital Transition
From 2010 onwards, Scialabba led the company’s digital transformation, combining physical sales with strategic catalog management on streaming platforms. Aware of the declining per-stream value and rising content saturation, he implemented sustainability-focused initiatives: automating rights management, optimizing metadata, and curating content based on regional audience insights.
He has been critical of the current streaming model and is actively exploring blockchain technology for improved transparency and direct payment solutions. His work also includes developing music profiles as digital real estate assets, creating spaces where identity, curation, and monetization intersect. Today, Music Brokers operates across all major platforms, focusing on cultural niches with high monetization potential.
Music as a Financial Asset
Scialabba argues that music is no longer just cultural content—it has become a financial asset with predictable behavior and measurable returns. In this light, he is developing projects around song tokenization, smart contracts, and decentralized participation models. These innovations are redefining the roles of producers, creators, and consumers, enabling new financing methods, direct monetization, and equity-based participation in music catalogs.
From his position as CEO, he drives a business agenda that combines scalability, tech integration, and high adaptability to changing markets.
Leadership Philosophy
Music Brokers maintains a lean organizational structure with regionally adapted teams and a flexible management matrix. Scialabba advocates for the continual onboarding of new talent, especially digital-native professionals who understand current content consumption trends.
His leadership style emphasizes contextual awareness, data-based decision-making, and controlled experimentation. In a fast-paced industry like music, he believes that competitive advantage doesn’t lie in size, but in the ability to adapt quickly and intelligently.