Mumbai: EMI Classics has appointed Eric Dingman as its new president. Dingman, who will take up this global role in January 2009, previously worked at WPP, the international marketing and advertising group, where he led the global strategic review of operations at its consumer insight and research group Kantar.

His career has included senior brand marketing and business development roles as well as extensive experience in marrying the creative and commercial sectors – including seven years with the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival on behalf of its main sponsor, Labatt Breweries, and he has also served as a board member of a number of community organizations including the Harbourfront Corporation and the Fashion Design Council of Canada (now L’Oreal Fashion Week) where he was the vice chair.

Dingman will report to EMI Music president of catalogue Ernesto Schmitt, who said: "I’m delighted that Dingman will be taking up the leadership of EMI Classics. The company has an incredible roster of artists and heritage. With his great passion for music and culture and his deep understanding of consumer behaviour, Dingman is the ideal person to drive EMI Classics forward at this time of unparalleled change and opportunity."

Dingman said: "I’m thrilled to be joining EMI Classics and it is very exciting to do so when there is a renewed focus on growth. EMI Classics is a fantastic company with an unrivalled catalogue and partnerships with so many of the world’s leading recording artists – from established greats like Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker to exciting up and coming musicians such as Quatuor Ebène and David Fray. There is so much we can do to open up EMI’s fine classical repertoire in more relevant and accessible ways thereby enhancing fan interest in the classical genre."