Mumbai: EMI Music has appointed Howard Handler to the new role of Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing, in North America. Handler will be based in New York and will oversee all marketing functions for EMI’s roster of recording artists in the US and Canada. He reports to president of global marketing Sam van der Feltz and is a member of EMI Music’s North American management team, under the leadership of Regional President Colin Finkelstein.

Beginning 1 October, Handler will assume responsibility for artist marketing, advertising, publicity, promotion, video production, digital and tour marketing for artists on EMI Music’s North American labels including Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Latin (EMI’s joint venture with Televisa), Capitol Nashville, Manhattan and Virgin.

"Howard brings a perfect combination of experience to this role. He has successfully enhanced brand equity and built businesses for world-reknowned names in entertainment, sports, new media and consumer products," said van der Feltz. "His creativity, experience, relationships and leadership will be extremely valuable to us as we increase EMI’s focus on the consumer and help artists create more powerful connections with their fans."

"EMI is racing towards the future with all the key ingredients to change the game – a vibrant line up of artists, a legendary catalogue, a talented team, great commercial partners and an ambitious set of plans," said Handler. "I look forward to helping create a richer understanding of music fans and further energizing and innovating how we can help fans discover and engage with their favorite artists and music in general."