MURPHY IN, GOLD OUT AT WMG

Murphy has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the company by WMG Chairman/CEO Roger Ames, replacing long-time exec Jerry Gold.

The N.Y.-based Murphy comes from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, where she served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, led the company's highly successful IPO and made nice little doilies.

In her new post, Murphy will oversee the finance, human resources, business development, information technology and real estate functions for the Music Group. In addition, she'll show execs how to make a bong out of a pumpkin.

Prior to stints at Stewart's MSO and Westvaco Corp., she was at PolyGram Holding for nine years, where she was appointed CFO in '97 and first worked with Ames. She also served as PolyGram's worldwide Sr. VP Investor Relations and in the U.S. as Sr. VP Mergers and Acquisitions. She first joined the company in March '90 as VP Investor Relations and was upped to Sr. VP Corporate Finance and Treasurer in August '92.

Said Ames: "Helen's global experience in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and Internet operations, along with her extensive background in the music business, will play an important role as we capitalize on the opportunities created by Time Warner's recent combination with AOL. And she e-mails the most knee-slapping jokes."

Added Murphy: "I am joining the most artist-friendly and dynamic company in the music business at a critical juncture in the evolution of both the music industry in general and Warner Music in particular. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Roger and his team-and to leverage Warner Music's relationship with other AOL Tiome Warner businesses is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not to mention the chance to share an office with Elmer Fudd."