BMG is reshuffling its deck in North America as the independent music powerhouse “doubles down” on its commitment to the world's biggest music market.
He is a leader in change John Loba, who steps up from President of BMG Nashville to become President of Frontline Recordings, North America. Moving forward, Loba is responsible for BMG's entire North American frontline record business in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York and Canada.
The reshuffle continues with new duties for Thomas Scherer, has until now been running publishing and recording activities in Los Angeles and New York. Scherer is named head of the worldwide recorded catalog, while retaining responsibility for publishing in North America.
Now, Loba, Scherer and CFO Joe Gillen are BMG's North American trio.
“We're delivering on our promise to double our US operation with a distinctive new approach,” comments BMG CEO Thomas Cosfeldthat is, a comprehensive frontline business “spanning across North America plus a global catalog business directed from Los Angeles.”
BMG, he continues, “is on the rise. This is an integral part of our new strategy to deliver to artists and songwriters and continue to grow.”
Loba, who joined BMG in 2017 when the company acquired Nashville-based BBR Music Group, is being rewarded for delivering BMG's first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Jason Aldean's 'Try That In A Small Town' and you will succeed with Jelly roll.
Loba, Coesfeld explains, is “the perfect person to take over our Los Angeles-based recordings” as the band evolves into the streaming era.
A company stalwart, Scherer joined BMG in 2008, moved to LA as executive vice president of global writer services in 2014, and has enjoyed several promotions since.
“He is the ideal person to lead our new Los Angeles-based streaming-first global catalog business while maintaining oversight of our significant US music publishing business, the backbone of BMG's US operation,” says Coesfeld for Scherer. “With Thomas at the helm of our Global Catalog Recorded organization, BMG will intensify its investment in the catalog.”
The changes, announced today (January 25), come six months after Coesfeld was appointed CEO, succeeding the outgoing chief executive Hartwig Masuch.
“Coesfeld's energetic and strategic approach to the business has been very inspiring to all of us, because that's how our team in Nashville operates,” Loba comments in a statement. “I look forward to working even more closely with our staff across North America and just as importantly, helping to bring the visions of our amazing artists to life.”
After being promoted to the top job in July, Coesfeld wasted no time in reshaping the company to maximize growth and seize opportunities. Among the staff changes announced last November, a new global catalog team based in Los Angeles. a “recalibration” of its presence in continental Europe in line with its new local-global emphasis, which will include a focus on “operational centers of excellence within Europe” as well as a pooling of budgets and expertise; a further acceleration of its technology investments and the myBMG system for artists; and clarifying roles and structures that the company says will make it “more accountable to its artist and composer customers.”
The changes didn't end there. BMG terminated its distribution deal with Warner Music Group's ADA and brought its digital distribution in-house, while inking a deal with Universal Music Group for its physical distribution. struck direct deals with Spotify and Apple Music. and “certain existing positions” were cut – with around 40 employees leaving, Advertising sign mentionted.
“We are changing the way we do things,” Coesfeld said in a statement at the time. “We will combine creative intuition with data-driven insights to deliver the best service to our clients and customers.”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/bmg-promotes-jon-loba-thomas-scherer-north-america-focus-1235589237/