Meet Fernando Cabral | Executive Vice President, Business Development for Sony Music Latin America

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fernando Cabral and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fernando, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’ve had a pretty unique childhood. My father was a Brazilian diplomat so I spent my formative years traveling around the world with him. I was actually born in Switzerland and afterward, we lived in Brazil, Spain, France, Peru, and Portugal. Growing up in these wonderful countries, attending international schools, and having parents who placed importance on culture and arts had a lasting impact on my life (and are things I strive to share with my 4-year-old). I love literature, arts, music, and history because I had very early and direct contact with them. My mother played piano and loved classical music so that was always present at home. From my older brother, I inherited his guitar when he gave up on it and started playing music. Having spent my career in music and in international roles I think is reflective of how much that upbringing abroad and at home shaped me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Nothing worthwhile is easy. My very first boss, Andre Midani, who was the CEO of Warner Music Latin America for many years, and a giant in the Latin industry, gave me three words of advice: “Focus, Hard work, and Passion”. I can’t think of anything I am proud of accomplishing in this business or in life that did not require all three of those things. Another thing I tell people is to understand what makes them different and where their talent lies. Having a clear perspective of that will also help you find the best place for you to fit and thrive. Being Latin, having a background in music I knew my abilities would be fit in the Latin music industry and thus made it my home.

I basically came into the industry right when it started a downward spiral created by piracy which decimated the industry in the region. For many years all I saw were companies cutting staff and costs on a yearly basis. I think, looking back, that sheer perseverance and strategic thinking is what got me through those years.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first thing is to see and experience Miami from the sea. So, number 1 is a boat ride all around the Miami area. Get a boat out of one of the Coconut Grove marinas. I live in the Grove and I am a big fan of this very special neighborhood. Strolling around the Grove on the weekend and then going to dinner in one of the many local restaurants is one of my favorite things. I’m particularly fond of “Sapore di Mare”, the best Italian in town, as well as Mister “01”, the best pizza in town. Staying in the Grove, a must-see and experience is Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – culture and natural beauty in one setting. Do not miss the farm and farmers market across the street on the weekends. Also not to be missed is Miami City Hall in the Grove, home to the Coconut Grove airport in the 1930s. After stopping by, get a burger and some drinks at the Bayshore Club.

I am a big fan of tennis, and there is nowhere better than Crandon Park in Key Biscayne to rent a court and have some fun – by the way they also rent the amazing center court so you can feel like Rafael Nadal even if for an hour or so. Stay in Key Biscayne and keep active with a bike ride in Billy Braggs Park, enjoy the beach, and explore the lighthouse.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people I am incredibly grateful for. I have been very lucky in that respect. But I would like to give a shout-out to my high school English and Literature teacher, Mr. Wechsler. Every single book I read in his classes I still have and read and cherish to this day. He opened up a world to me and I have been an avid reader since then. But even more so, he really was the first individual that made me feel confident to pursue an artistic avenue and was incredibly inspiring doing so. His validation made me take the first few steps in my life that have brought me here. I don’t know if I would have taken the plunge to move to Boston, attend the Berklee College of Music, and pursue playing music if it wasn’t for him. From there on I started my career as a music executive.

Being a teacher is a calling, they have an amazing influence in unleashing the potential and well-being of our kids and I’m grateful to have been on the receiving end of that.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-cabraldemello/