Post BMG buy, Universal makes appointments

MUMBAI: Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) chairman and CEO David Renzer announced additional senior executive appointments for the company’s Los Angeles and New York Creative, business affairs, and film and television departments.


 


The announcement follows the close by Universal Music Group of its acquisition of BMG Music Publishing.


 


“UMPG already has strong staffs in the creative, business affairs, and film and television departments, and now we are further strengthening these departments with the addition of these fine executives from the former BMG/Zomba companies. With powerhouse teams in New York and Los Angeles, our mission in the coming months will be to build not just the biggest publishing company in the world, but the best. These executives will play a pivotal role as we take the newly combined company to even greater heights,” said Renzer.


 


Former BMG executives joining UMPG’s New York offices include: David Mantel (executive vice president, East Coast); Jennifer Blakeman (senior vice president, creative); Jason Boyarski (vice president, legal and business affairs), Deborah Keegan (senior director, legal and business affairs); Jessica Rivera and Peter Visvardis (director, creative) and Anne Wall (director, film and TV music licensing).


 


Former BMG executives joining UMPG’s Los Angeles offices include: Monti Olson (vice president, A&R); Michelle Belcher (senior director, Film and TV); Brad Aarons (director, creative) and Andrea Torchia (senior director, creative).


 


Mantel will report directly to Renzer, while business affairs executives will report to UMPG senior vice president business affairs Robert Allen. New York Creative staff will report to Mantel, while Los Angeles creative staff and Ethiopia Habtemariam, Vice President of Urban Creative Affairs, will report to Tom Sturges, executive vice president, head of creative. Film and Television staff will report to Scott James, senior vice president of music for motion pictures, television and new technologies, worldwide.


 


In addition, BMG Songs, North America president Scott Francis will be resigning from his post at the company.


 


“I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the contributions that Scott Francis has made to BMG Songs over the years. While he will be leaving us, we certainly wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors,” added Renzer.

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