LISTEN TO OUR STORY ABOUT A MAN NAMED GED

As a consolation prize, Ged Doherty has been appointed Sony BMG Music Entertainment Chairman/CEO for the U.K. and Ireland, which just happened to be the springboard for Rob Stringer’s own ascension to Sony Music N.A. label chief, it was announced by COO Tim Bowen.

Said Bowen, before getting a red card, which forced him to watch the rest of this press release from the sidelines: "Ged is the ideal person to take the company forward. He has great knowledge and a real feel for the future direction of our business. He also recognizes and understands that artists need space and time to make their music as well as the level of guidance and direction that we can provide as a company to bring that music to the widest market. I wish him the greatest success in the future."

Doherty's career has incorporated stints at both BMG and Sony Music prior to their merger in 2004. He most recently served as President, Music Division—a position and title he has held since April 2001 within BMG.

His successes during that time include Dido, Pink, Natasha Bedingfield, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5, Westlife, Eurythmics, John Legend and Kasabian. Since the merger, he has overseen the European breakthroughs of Kelly Clarkson, Editors, Primal Scream, The Zutons and Sandi Thom, whose single and album both recently topped the UK charts.

Doherty joined Sony Music in 1992 as Head of International Marketing in N.Y., then returned to the UK in 1996 as Managing Director for Columbia Records. He then joined BMG in 1999 as Managing Director at Arista UK.

Prior to joining Sony Music, Doherty managed Paul Young and Alison Moyet, who

collectively sold over 15 million albums globally. His earliest forays in the music business go back to his student days, where he booked and promoted the legendary punk acts of that era prior to his arrival in London as a burgeoning booking agent.

Added Ged: "I can't exactly claim that my history is that of a typical label chairman, but I hope it means that I understand artists, managers, lawyers, promoters and the whole creative and commercial process better than most. I feel very proud in taking on this job. While there is a huge responsibility at all times to treasure the catalog, our future lies in our ability to develop as a fully rounded music company working for all our artists in taking their music, videos and creativity to consumers across the widest spectrum of platforms. Now when do we get our bangers and mash?"