Executive Turntable: BMG Boss Boarded By Bertelsmann; Moves to Universal Music UK, Merlin, Believe

It's time for a July 4th weekend edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard's comprehensive(ish) roundup of promotions, hires, departures and firings — and everything in between — across music. Check out this year's Pride List of top LGBTQ+ executives in the industry. We also have a weekly interview series featuring a single executive and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry faces we've lost over the year.

Thomas Cosfeld celebrated his one-year anniversary as CEO of BMG by joining its executive board Bertelsmann, parent company of the Berlin-based music giant. The 34-year-old executive is a face for Bertelsmann's music business as a member of the board, which also includes CEO Thomas Rabe and his older brother Thomas Carsten Coesfeld, CEO of the venture capital arm, as well as company CFO Rolf Hellermann and human resources chief Immanuel Hermreck. Coesfeld took the reigns of BMG from long-time chief executive Hartwig Masuch on July 1 last year and in a short period of time established a new organizational structure globalizing the catalog, sales and marketing teams and a “recalibration” of its presence in continental Europe , including. changes. Prior to taking over as CEO, Coesfeld was appointed deputy CFO at BMG in October 2021 before taking over as full CFO the following spring. During that time he oversaw BMG's balance sheet and helped the company complete 70 deals, including acquiring the catalogs of Mötley Crüe and Tina Turner, as well as those of Paul Simon, The Pointer Sisters, Peter Frampton and others.

He previously served as chief strategy officer on the executive committee of Bertelsmann Printing Group, but began his career in 2014 as a consultant at McKinsey. Coesfeld is also a member of the Bertelsmann Group Management Committee (GMC), which advises the executive board.

“[Coesfeld] knows Bertelsmann well from various positions,” Rabe said in the release. “As CEO of BMG, he has made important decisions about the future of the business, for example bringing digital distribution in-house and using artificial intelligence in various areas of the music business. Thomas will also enrich the work of the Board of Directors. I look forward to working even more closely with him.”

In the meantime…

Universal Music UK are promoted Hannah Nieves to the sole chairman of the directory department, Universal Music Recordings. Its co-chairman for the past two years, Azi Efteharileft the company, Advertising sign can confirm. Neaves and Eftekhari joined UMR in early 2022, about a year after the pair founded a London-based creative company called Remedy Inc. YouTube. In the past two years, UMR's wins include “Now and Then” — the “last Beatles song” — and other releases with Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse, the Spice Girls and more. “Hannah is, first and foremost, an artist with an innate understanding of where creativity and discovery meet, something she has brought in abundance since returning to our team,” said Universal Music UK head David Joseph. referring to Neaves tenure at UMG's. Polydor earlier in her career. “A truly exceptional and inspirational executive, Hannah has already had huge success, most recently creatively leading the global and record-breaking Now And Then campaign for The Beatles, and there is much more to come.”

Former BMI executive Jody Williams was elected for a one-year term as its new president Country Music Hall of Fame and Museumof the board of directors and administrators. The publishing veteran, who founded Jody Williams Songs in 2020 after a 14-year run at BMI, has served on the museum's board for 17 years. Replaces outgoing chair Mary Ann McCready, who remains as administrator. CMHFM CEO Kyle Young noted that Williams is “woven into the fabric of the country music creative community in a true and meaningful way” and “committed to promoting the vitality of country music as a cultural art form.” The Nashville foundation also elected several new board members, including artist director Clint Higham and WME agent Becky Gardenhire.

Merlinthe digital licensing partner for the independent music sector, welcomed Neil Miller as its new general counsel. Miller joins from Greenberg Traurig, where he served as a partner of the global law firm for three years. Prior to that, Miller was associate general counsel at Facebook and earlier in his career spent six years as GC at SoundCloud. It is based in the United Kingdom. “Merlin is a dynamic organization operating in a complex and ever-changing legal and commercial environment,” said Charlie Sexton, Merlin COO. “Neil's wealth of experience in music and digital entertainment is exactly what we need to address these challenges. He is respected across the industry and brings a valuable blend of long-term thinking, technical skills and impressive leadership.”

Believe has new leadership for its efforts across China, naming Charles Lew as general manager and Rebecca Dong as managing director for the development-ready region. Based in Beijing and reporting to Sylvain Delange, Believe's Asia Pacific president, Liu will focus on building partnerships and growing Believe's roster of labels and artists. Dong joins Liu and will manage all operations, along with legal, finance and human resources. Believe has been operating in China since 2016 and has grown to more than 80 “digital and music experts” in offices across five cities, the company said. “Greater China is both an exciting and challenging market where Believe's unique approach can significantly contribute to accelerating the rise of a strong, diverse and thriving local music ecosystem, as we have done in so many other markets in Asia Pacific,” said Delange. .

NASHVILLE NOTES: Universal Music Group Nashville employee Houston Gaither as radio marketing manager. She was previously head of content, promotion and artist development for Sony Music Nashville… Formerly director of publicity and branding for PLA Media Becky Parsons was formed Audio media founda PR and management firm focused on developing LGBTQ+ and female artists… Kylie Taylor they joined Black River Entertainment as a graphic designer. Contact her at ktaylor@blackriverent.com.

OTM musica boutique publishing company with bases in London, New York and Los Angeles, welcomed Kristin Genovese as the company's new head of US synchronization and Kate Sweetsur as the new head of A&R. The company, which provides creative services for its roster of songwriters and brands, also noted the recent additions of Chi Chi Nwakondo as a senior creative and Ethan Miesen as A&R manager.

ICYMI:

Hipgnosis song management Merck founder Mercuriadis will step down as chairman of the investment manager, months after vacating the role of CEO… Stephanie Rosa is chief executive of TixrThe new London office… Former Capitol Music Group executive Britney Davis has been appointed managing director Quality check … Warner Records promoted Robert Santini to senior vice president of brand partnerships and ad sync… and Mano Sundaresan is the new head of editorial content for Rake.

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