SCHMIDT-HOLTZ TAPS HIS TROOPS:
JAMIESON, GRIFFITHS, STEIN
IN FRONT RANKS

BMG finally caught up with us this week, as President/CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz took our advice and announced his new corporate reporting structure. Meanwhile, we're just busy trying to figure out who's got the biggest bratwurst.

Said Schmidt-Holtz: "Darn, you guys are smart. But not as smart as these appointments. Together, these professionals and this new structure offer the very best combination of creativity, efficient management and business savvy based on their rich experience and strong track records in the music industry. And now you have to guess which one's the mole."

As first reported here Tuesday (see hitsdailydouble, 1/16), Robert Jamieson has been named President/CEO North America and will no longer be referred to by anybody below Sr. VP as "Bob." He'll oversee all of BMG's business units in North America, including RCA Music Group, Arista, BMG Distribution, RCA Label Group-Nashville and BMG Canada. Current RCA Executive VP/GM Jack Rovner is expected to succeed him as label President.

Richard Griffiths is named President, U.K. and Europe. He was most recently Chairman BMG U.K. and Ireland and President, Central Europe. By adding Germany/Switzerland/Austria and the Eastern Europe region to his responsibilities, Griffiths will now oversee all of BMG's European business units. He was previously Epic Records President and CBS Sr. VP of West Coast Operations.

Thomas Stein was named Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and A&R, responsible for marketing activities and A&R coordination worldwide. He was previously President of BMG's GSA-Eastern Europe region, which will now report to Griffiths. His BMG Germany signings include Lou Bega and Snap! Whoa.

Konrad Hilbers is the new Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing Legal and Business Affairs, headed by LaVerne Evans; IS&T, headed by Miles Braffett; as well as Finance and New Technology and Strategic Development.

Joseph Gorman returns to BMG as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer after leaving the company last June. He'll report to Hilbers. David Kang has been named Senior Vice President New Technology and Strategic Development. He was most recently New Media Consulant for The Firm, where he helped Jeff Kwatinetz program his TiVo.

BMG's Asia Pacific and Latin Regions continue under their current management, with Senior Vice President Asia-Pacific Michael Smellie and Senior Vice President Latin Region Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete continuing to report to the President/CEO, as will Senior Vice President Human Resources Ira Sallen.

Just remember where you read it first.