Song BMG power struggle continues

Thursday February 9, 2006

Sony BMG Music Entertainment boss Tim Bowen is likely to be the main beneficiary of the power struggle being waged at the very top of the label group between Andrew Lack and Rolf Schmidt-Holtz.

Lack and Schmidt-Holtz, Sony BMG CEO and chairman of the board respectively, are likely to swap positions within the month, leaving a new role for Bowen to step into.

Lack, who has been under fire from within the company since pushing through the merger of Sony and BMG two years ago, is likely to become chairman of the group with the former chairman and CEO of BMG moving from Bertelsmann’s head office to New York to take over the CEO role.

Bertelsmann and Sony BMG refused to comment today, but sources say Lack has been criticised by the German parent for underperforming.  They now suggest that London-based Bowen, who has had wide experience running the vast global regions – he is currently chairman of Sony BMG Music Entertainment International UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – and also started his career at Sony Music (then CBS Records), will be Schmidt-Holtz’s number two as chief operating officer.  It is understood the move will not effect Rob Stringer, Sony BMG Music UK boss, who currently reports to Bowen.

Bowen joined BMG in February 2002 as COO BMG Europe. He was appointed chairman BMG UK and Ireland in March 2003 and oversaw all BMG and Zomba's operations in the UK & Ireland, and, in addition, Hugh Goldsmith’s Brightside label and the company’s TV joint venture with Simon Cowell called Syco. Following the merger of BMG and Sony Music Entertainment he was promoted to his current position in February 2005.