MAGIC KINGDOM INKS KEY EXECS
TO LONG-TERM PACTS

Mitchell Leib "Me Alone" and Justin Fontaine "Bleu" have inked new, long-term contracts with the Buena Vista Music Group and Hollywood Records.

As part of the deal, Leib has been promoted to Senior VP Soundtracks, for BVMG, while promo vet Fontaine has re-upped as Hollywood Records' Senior VP of Promotion.
In addition, "Hey There" Geordie "Girl" Gillespie has joined Hollywood Records from Virgin as VP, National Promotion, while fellow ex-Virgin exec Linc Wheeler has been named the label's Executive Director of Marketing.

In his newly expanded role as BVMG's Senior VP, Soundtracks, Leib will oversee all facets of BVMG’s soundtrack business including acquisition, development and production of all soundtrack albums for Hollywood Records, Lyric Street Records and Walt Disney Records. Leib, who previously served as Senior VP of A&R and soundtracks for Hollywood Records, will be based in the company's Burbank offices and report to BVMG Chairman Bob Cavallo. He has previously worked on such multi-platinum soundtracks as Save the Last Dance and MI:2. Leib also served as a music supervisor for various films.

"I am pleased that Mitchell has agreed to take on this expanded role, now overseeing all BVMG soundtracks," Cavallo said. "His talent and expertise have made Hollywood a leader in the soundtrack business. He is the best at what he does, and he’s certainly come a long way from being Bud Scoppa’s unpaid intern back at Arista."

Fontaine joined Hollywood as Sr. VP Promotion in May 2000 from Capitol, where he was VP Promotion. Previously, he held the same post with Sony's Work Group. Based at the label's Burbank headquarters, he will continue to oversee all Hollywood Records promotion efforts, including the national and field promotion staffs. Fontaine will expand his role by aiding Walt Disney Records’ promotion efforts.

"Justin Fontaine’s leadership skills and talent are invaluable to Hollywood Records," Cavallo commented. "He has energized our promotion department, maximizing airplay and exposure for our artists."
Gillespie, who’ll be based in Burbank and report to Fontaine, will be responsible for overseeing the alternative promotion department while developing and implementing airplay strategies for label acts. Gillespie comes to Hollywood after spending two years as VP Alternative Promotion at Virgin Records, where he played a key role in the Gorillaz and N*E*R*D projects.

Wheeler also comes to Hollywood from Virgin, where he served as Director Product Management. During his Virgin tenure, he worked with Gorillaz, Smashing Pumpkins and Ben Harper. Wheeler will report to Sr. VP Marketing, Sales & Synergy Daniel Savage,.

Added Sr. VP/GM Abbey Konowitch: "These appointments represent our continued desire to bring in the best and brightest for our team. Identifying hits and breaking artists is a group effort. We are thrilled to have Geordie and Lincoln joining us, as well as Justin and Mitchell’s continued leadership. And they all promised to wear the Mickey Mouse suit, so I won’t have to do it anymore."