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"With a dynamic roster of current artists, a catalogue that includes an incredible number of legendary recordings, and impressive capabilities in the areas of marketing, distribution and digital initiatives, we have everything we need to establish Sony BMG as the clear leader in the global marketplace."
—-Tim Bowen, Sony BMG COO

BOWEN NABS SONY BMG COO POST

Veteran U.K. Exec Has Worked with Both Sony and BMG in the Past
He's no tiny Tim.

As expected, veteran U.K. music exec Tim Bowen has been named Chief Operating Officer for Sony BMG Music Entertainment, it was announced today by CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, to whom he reports. Mr. Bowen will be based in New York.

Bowen replaces Michael Smellie, whose exit earlier this year precipitated the battle between Sony and BMG which resulted in Schmidt-Holtz and Andrew Lack switching jobs, with the former taking over as CEO and the latter named Chairman.

It's the second major move for Schmidt-Holtz in a week that saw him give Don Ienner his Sony Music Label Group Chairman stripes (see related story).

Bowen will oversee the global music company’s operations, with direct responsibility for international operations, global digital business, strategic marketing, Legacy, Masterworks and sales enterprise divisions. Mr. Bowen will also direct the company’s expanding audio-visual and TV interests on a worldwide basis and have oversight for human resources. In his spare time, he'll replenish the N.Y. office paper clip supply.

Schmidt-Holtz commented on Bowen's "deep understanding of both the creative and business aspects of the music industry... He has extensive experience with both of the companies that came together to form Sony BMG, and the dedication, passion and vision that are necessary to lead the joint venture into the future. He is clearly the right choice for this key post, and it is a true pleasure to announce his appointment. Now, wienerschnitzel for everyone!”

Bowen was "delighted to have been given this opportunity... With a dynamic roster of current artists, a catalogue that includes an incredible number of legendary recordings, and impressive capabilities in the areas of marketing, distribution and digital initiatives, we have everything we need to establish Sony BMG as the clear leader in the global marketplace. I look forward to continuing my close working relationship with Rolf, as well as with Managing Directors from around the world and the entire Sony BMG team, as we realize the full potential of the joint venture. Now, how much did you say an apartment was going for in Manhattan?”

Bowen was previously Sony BMG Music Entertainment International Chairman, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa since February 2004. He was named BMG Europe COO in 2002 by Schmidt-Holtz, then promoted to BMG UK and Ireland Chairman the following year, overseeing the operations of BMG and Zomba in the UK and Ireland and SYCO, the company’s TV production company with Simon Cowell.

Prior to BMG, Mr. Bowen worked for Universal Music International as Sr. VP Marketing and Business Affairs and following the merger of Polygram and Universal Music, as UMI EVP. He began his career at Sony Music UK--then CBS Records--in Business Affairs. He spent four years in New York as Head of Sony Music Publishing International, and returned to Britain in 1986 as Managing Director of Columbia Records.

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