HESSE ADDS U.S. SALES TO SBMG GLOBAL DUTIES

Sony BMG Music Entertainment President, Global Digital Business Thomas Hesse has added U.S. Sales to his domain, it was announced by company COO Tim Bowen, to whom. the N.Y.-based exec will continue to report.

Commented Bowen “Arrow”: "This new organizational structure is designed to maximize the increasingly diverse range of revenue streams generated by our artists, as well as our responsiveness to our U.S. physical and digital partners. I wish Thomas and the entire team good fortune in their many endeavors in today's ever-changing music marketplace. Now when do I get my free iPhone, Tommy?"

Hesse will oversee all aspects of the U.S. sales division, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities for the Global Digital Business operating group, which develops the company's digital revenues worldwide.

President, U.S. Sales Jordan Katz will now oversee all U.S. physical sales accounts, working closely with the company's labels both on day-to-day and strategic physical sales activities, as well as with the U.S. Digital Sales team on joint initiatives.

As part of the realignment, veteran sales exec Bill Frohlich, who has been with Sony for more than 20 years, will leave the company to pursue other interests.

EVP Ops and Finance Dennis Kooker will also report to Hesse, helping with the day-to-day operations of the enlarged Global Digital Business & U.S. Sales Group. In addition to leading the finance -elated functions, Kooker will also assume responsibility of the physical supply chain and other projects.

Hesse was first named President, Global Digital Business for Sony BMG in 2004. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Hesse served as BMG's Chief Strategic Officer. In this capacity he has been responsible for mergers and acquisitions and business development, as well as for setting the strategic direction for BMG's digital business and new technology initiatives.

Prior to joining BMG, he was EVP and Head of Corporate Strategy at Bertelsmann AG in Guetersloh, Germany. Hesse had previously held a number of executive positions at the company's television division RTL, including Secretary General of Germany's largest commercial broadcaster, where he ran the network's program acquisition and distribution groups, and CEO of RTL New Media, where he built up the company's internet and digital television activities as well as other ancillary businesses. He began his career in media and entertainment as a corporate consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on Media and Corporate Finance.

Hesse holds a BA and MA from Oxford University, an MSc from London School of Economics and a doctorate from St. Gallen University, studying as a concert pianist at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and the Hochschule fuer Musik in Duesseldorf, Germany. Which makes him supremely overqualified for this gig.