EMI HITS A DOUBLE

The company has appointed Ronn Werre and David Kassler as Chief Operating Officers.

Reporting to CEO Elio Leoni-Sceti, Werre and Kassler will oversee EMI’s operations in 32 countries and help the company to implement its plans for growth and revenue diversification.

Said Leoni-Sceti said: "With our major reorganization behind us, a strong new management team in place around the world and a clear consumer strategy rolling out, EMI is moving to the next level. Ronn and David are results-oriented individuals with multinational experience who will help us as an organization to drive performance and deliver our ambitious goals."

Based in Los Angeles, Werre will oversee all of EMI Music’s operations in North America and Mexico, while Kassler will oversee the company's operations in all other countries in the rest of the world from his base in London.

Werre will also continue as President of EMI Music Services, the rapidly growing global business unit established last year to provide artists with a suite of commercial services - from sales and distribution to brand partnership, synchronization, licensing and merchandising.

"EMI Music has a renewed focus on top line growth and artist development in the key music markets of North America and Mexico,” said Werre. “I am committed to helping the teams there to continue on that path and to deliver the best results for our artists and our customers."

Commented Kassler: I'm delighted to be joining EMI fulltime at such an exciting point in its successful turnaround. I look forward to continuing to work closely with local management to make our strategy happen on the ground."

Werre came to EMI in 1998 as VP of Major Accounts and moved through a number of roles to become SVP of Sales and Catalog Marketing in the U.S. in 2002.

Kassler initially led EMI’s U.K. & Ireland business following Terra Firma’s acquisition of EMI Group in August 2007, before taking on a broader geographic role as President of Europe.