BMG has announced a “streamlined restructuring” of its U.S. repertoire operation as part of a growth plan “designed to allow the company to accelerate out of the pandemic,” it was revealed Friday (Feb. 5).
As part of the restructure, Thomas Scherer has been promoted to president, repertoire & marketing, Los Angeles and New York, leading the company’s West Coast and East Coast repertoire organizations. Additionally, Jon Loba, who joined BMG in 2017 following its acquisition of country label and publishing house BBR Music Group, has been confirmed as president, recorded music, Nashville. Both will report to BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch.
Scherer, who has been with Bertelsmann for nearly three decades, joined “the new BMG” at its founding in 2008, becoming one of the company’s original employees based out of Berlin. He was most recently executive vp, repertoire & marketing, Los Angeles. Before that, he served as executive vp frontline publishing, where he spearheaded the integration of BMG’s creative teams globally and was key in developing the company’s China operations.
Since Scherer signed on to lead the Los Angeles marketing & repertoire team in 2014, the company has seen success on the recording side with releases from Run the Jewels, Jason Mraz, KSI and Curtis Waters, among others. He also launched a long-term partnership with Dark Horse Records and has led the charge on developing a stable of rock-focused acts in Los Angeles.
A number of other executive promotions were also announced as part of the restructure. Monti Olson and Dan Gill have been promoted to executive vp roles and will be responsible for U.S. publishing and recorded music in Los Angeles, respectively, reporting to Scherer.
In his new role, Olson will lead BMG’s Los Angeles, Nashville and New York creative teams, in addition to creative services for the company’s film and TV publishing clients. He joined BMG in 2018 as co-head of U.S. A&R publishing, overseeing a roster that includes 21 Savage, Juice WRLD, Diane Warren and Del Records. He came to the company from Warner Records and has also served in roles at Global Entertainment and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Gill, meanwhile, will be responsible for BMG’s frontline recordings repertoire and strategy in Los Angeles, including RBC Records (KSI, Chief Keef, Waka Flocka Flame, Big L, Gucci Mane) and metal/hard rock label Rise Records (Dance Gavin Dance, AFI, Pup, Sevendust). He joined the company in 2014 after its acquisition of Vagrant Records, most recently serving as senior vp recorded music.
Jason Hradil has been elevated to executive vp, recorded music, New York, succeeding John Loeffler, who will take on a newly expanded role centered on VIP client relations, U.S.-wide business and strategic partnerships.
Loeffler, a former TV and commercial producer, joined the company in 2009 as a consultant following its acquisition of Cherry Lane Records and has since spearheaded its relationships with artists including Huey Lewis, Roger Waters, Bad Company, John Fogerty and Kenny Loggins. He also managed BMG’s New York-based S-Curve Records and was the architect of the recently launched OM Records, a partnership with French soccer club Olympique de Marseille.
In his new position, Hradil will take on a dual role; in addition to his new executive vp title, he will continue as senior vp, international marketing, a title he has held since 2019. Going forward, he will oversee BMG’s frontline recordings repertoire and marketing on the East Coast, along with the company’s U.S. interests in global recordings. He has been with BMG since 2011, when he joined as its first U.S. recorded music employee, helping develop the company’s entry into the U.S. record business and managing all marketing, sales, promotion and distribution for artist releases in North America. He previously held roles at Columbia/Epic and Sony BMG.
Lastly, Jecoure Lamothe has been upped to senior director, A&R and marketing at BMG’s rap/hip-hop label RBC Records. In his new role, he will manage all day-to-day operations of the label and its artists, reporting to Gill. He joined BMG in 2018 following its acquisition of RBC.
“The US continues to be BMG’s richest repertoire source and largest revenue generator. After a very strong 2020, we are determined to be in a position to accelerate out of this pandemic rather than resting on our laurels,” Masuch said in a statement. “This new streamlined structure will allow us to raise the bar of excellence when it comes to servicing our artists. I would like to thank Thomas, Jon, Monti, Dan, and Jason for all their contributions to the company and wish them continued success in their new roles.”
“BMG US just enjoyed its best year yet so it’s an honor to take on responsibility for our New York operation as well as LA.,” added Scherer. “I look forward to working alongside Jon Loba as we pursue our objective to provide a real partnership for our artists and songwriters: inspire, help them build and own their creative works and offer them new opportunities to express their talents into books, podcasts, films and documentaries, video games and beyond. More than ever, BMG is the most artist-friendly alternative to the traditional music business.”
In its most recent earnings report, BMG posted a 4.8% increase in revenue to €282 million euros ($310.8 million) at the mid-year point ended June 30, 2020, up from €269 million ($303.9 million) in the year-earlier period.
