Bertie boss steps down

END OF THE OSTROWSKI ERA: Big happenings in Gutersloh, as the company announced that Bertelsmann ruler Hartmut Ostrowski has stepped down after three and a half years, with current CFO Thomas Rabe becoming the new CEO on Jan. 1. According to the official statement, "the changeover takes place amicably and by mutual consent." It was under Ostrowski watch that Bertie got out of the music biz, selling BMG Songs to UMG and BMG Music to Sony, before doing an about-face and teaming up with KKR to form BMG Rights Management. (10/11a)