Music News - Sony BMG Appointments Made
02 December 2004 - 0 Comments
After a wait of several months, the new-look staff list of SonyBMG was revealed today.
There are four immediate casualties, as well as several people in 'transitional' roles who will move on after the merger practicalities are completed early next year. However, places for most key personnel from both Sony and BMG have been found in a 19-strong team headed by MD Mike Bradshaw.
Making the appointment decisions was not an easy process, says Bradshaw.
"I've been conscious it has taken some time, but I was determined to involve people in the decision-making process, and find the best fit for everyone.
"Some staff are shifting into departments they were not in for either company so in many cases it's been an opportunity to identify where people should be, or would like to be, and change career paths."
Having worked for both companies proved to be a mixed blessing, he says.
"On one level it definitely helped... I think people know I'm not a corporate hatchet man, and I've been able to have a level of conversation and understanding with people that wouldn't be possible in other circumstances.
"But on the other hand, it makes it tough when a choice ultimately has to be made between two people you've known and worked worth for a long time."
Bringing the two companies together is not as easy as shifting office (currently underway) and hanging a new sign on the door. Among the challenges are two different accounting systems to be combined, different licensing and clearance procedures and separate distribution channels.
There will be two phases in merging offices, with BMG staff shifting into Sony's Parnell building this week followed by renovations over the Christmas/New Year period before everyone is settled in for the long term.
It is not a case of one company 'taking over' the other, says Bradshaw.
"I want everyone to start with a blank page. Sony and BMG are quite different companies, with different cultures... Sony has a strong AC focus, BMG has been a more Urban/Alternative company, so you've had two very different ways of doing business.
"What I've tried to emphasise is that we have the luxury now of picking up on the best of both worlds. Wherever possible we've teamed a Sony person with a BMG person... I want to avoid it ever being a situation where one culture absorbs the other. It's a chance to take everything apart and put it back together again in the best possible way."
No cuts to the artist roster are anticipated, he says.
"Both companies are pretty lean, and both have been highly successful, so there are no plans to drop anybody. On the contrary, one of our goals is to grow this company's share of the local music market.
"From a retail perspective I know there's a mix of trepidation and excitement about having fewer wholesalers in the market. It does simplify matters. But whether it means any real change to the industry at a wider level, we won't know for a while. The fact is the music industry is changing every day."
Of course, neither music retail nor radio are strangers to consolidation either, each dominated by two big players. Continuing the strong relationships with both sectors formed by staff from both previous record companies will be key to SonyBMG's success, he says.
The new company begins life with around a 30% share of radio airplay and a similar market share of sales.
"We have set some lofty goals. I'm very ambitious about what we are capable of achieving, but I want to put a bit of fun back into the job too... as an industry, I think we often present a very negative, cynical impression to the world. That isn't how it should be."
Today's SonyBMG appointments are:
- Noel Barkley (Sales and Retail Marketing Director)
- Kim Boshier (Marketing Director)
- Nicky Harrop (Label Director)
- Rodney Hewson (Director Strategic Marketing)
- Malcolm Black (A&R Contractor)
- Tracey Howard (Production Manager)
- John Gough (Account Director)
- Kelvin Napier (Sales Operations)
- Caroline Burgess (Phone Sales and Indent Coordinator)
- Fiona Perry (Licensing Manager)
- Brenda McBride (Executive Assistant)
- Chris Guzzwell (National Promotions Manager),
- Scott Morrison (National Promotions Manager)
- Cameron Young (Label and Marketing Services Manager)
- Tania Dean (Publicity and Promotions Representative)
- Jane Skerman (Marketing and Label Assistant)
- Alana Cope (Label, Marketing and Promotions Assistant)
- Cara Beazley (Reception/Administration)
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