Warner Music launches Atlantic Records Finland, led by Fredi Lundén and Kristiina Wheeler
FrankyNelly
Warner Music Finland has launched Atlantic Records Finland, a new frontline label focused on pop and rap.
The label will be led by Fredi Lundén, who has been promoted to Director, Atlantic Records Finland, and Kristiina Wheeler, who joins from Universal Music Finland as Senior A&R.
Atlantic Records Finland launches with a roster of six acts moving across from WM Finland: Averagekidluke, Isac Elliot, Juuna Chill, Kerza, SANNI, and william.
The appointment of Wheeler is a notable hire from a rival major. She was named A&R Person of the Year at Finland’s Music x Media Industry Awards in 2024, while at Universal Music Finland.
At Universal, Wheeler’s artist roster included Mirella, whose debut album Kunpa oisin kertonut broke records as the most-streamed Finnish album in its first day and first week of release in 2024, according to the artist’s label.
Wheeler is also credited with the development of Minttu, who was named to the top of the YleX Läpimurto (Breakthrough) list for 2026.
Lundén has been at Warner Music Finland for several years and is credited with signing most of Atlantic Records Finland‘s initial roster. He is also part of WM Finland‘s in-house publishing company, HMC Publishing, where the company says he has helped develop producers including Los Rollos, Kim Mannila, and Wille Manilla.
“Finland is ready for a new kind of label,” said Lundén.
“Atlantic Records Finland is built for artists who want to define the next decade. We’re creatively ambitious, culturally sharp and globally minded.
“Our goal is to create a premium environment where Nordic talent can grow at home and connect to the world.”
“Finland is ready for a new kind of label.”
Fredi Lundén
Ramona Forsström, Managing Director of Warner Music Finland, said: “Kristiina and Fredi are both extremely successful because they have a strong, passion-rooted vision that surpasses genres.”
“Kristiina and Fredi are both extremely successful because they have a strong, passion-rooted vision that surpasses genres.”
Ramona Forsström, Warner Music Finland
Added Forsström: “They have an impeccable talent for recognising the next wave and shaping artist careers that define the music of our time.
“Together, they form a team that perfectly embodies a deep understanding of modern artistry.”
The launch of Atlantic Records Finland extends a pattern of Warner Music Group rolling out local Atlantic Records operations in individual markets.
Most recently, WMG launched Atlantic Records Italy in October 2025 as part of an overhaul of its Italian frontline label structure.
Previous local Atlantic launches include Atlantic Records Germany and Atlantic Records Benelux, both in 2021.
The Atlantic brand has been under significant restructuring since Elliot Grainge took over as CEO of Atlantic Music Group in October 2024. Under Grainge, AMG has struck a series of joint venture and label partnership deals, including a multi-level partnership with Fader Label in April 2026.
Meanwhile, in the UK, WMG aligned both Atlantic Records UK and Warner Records UK with their US counterparts in September 2025, with Atlantic UK Co-Presidents Ed Howard and Briony Turner now reporting to Grainge, and Warner Records UK President Joe Kentish reporting to Warner Records chiefs Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson.
Warner Music Finland has been on an active run of its own in recent years. Forsström was promoted to Managing Director in late 2023, succeeding Niko Nordström.
Since then, the company has made several moves to consolidate its domestic market position, including acquiring the catalog of independent record company Skorpioni in 2025.Music Business Worldwide
