Martin Bandier Named Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Renowned Music Executive to Spearhead the Growth of the Business and Build On Strong Foundation That Includes the Beatles and Bob Dylan Catalogues
PRNewswire
NEW YORK
02/27/2007
Sony Corporation of America announced today that Martin Bandier has been named Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. As part of the agreement, Mr. Bandier will also make an investment in Sony/ATV, which is co-owned by Sony and trusts formed by Michael Jackson.
Mr. Bandier's move to Sony/ATV Music Publishing matches the most renowned music-publishing executive in the industry with the company that not only controls some of its most valuable catalogue assets, but also boasts a stellar roster of the most active and popular current artists and writers. The catalogues include a generation-spanning mix of some of the biggest names in music, from the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, The Everly Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Steven Stills and Hank Williams to Babyface and John Mellencamp. Sony's growing current roster of chart-toppers includes Beck, Destiny's Child, Fall Out Boy, John Mayer, Sarah McLachlan, Rascal Flatts, KT Tunstall and Gretchen Wilson. Mr. Bandier will oversee Sony/ATV's global music publishing activities -- including talent and copyright acquisitions -- and will develop and implement broad new strategic initiatives.
Mr. Bandier will report to Rob Wiesenthal, Chief Financial Officer, Sony Corporation of America, and Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Sony Entertainment Inc., and also to Sir Howard Stringer in his role as Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation of America. Mr. Bandier will join Sony/ATV effective April 1, 2007.
"Sony/ATV Music Publishing has great assets, and also tremendous potential for growth and expansion," said Mr. Bandier. "This move offers me the opportunity to participate in the growth of a major publishing entity and to build something in an entrepreneurial environment with a fantastic company."
"Marty Bandier is a true legend in the music industry. His experience and stature are unparalleled," said Mr. Wiesenthal. "We are delighted that he is joining Sony/ATV at this critical time in the music publishing industry. His proven track record of innovative and highly effective business strategies will help us to continue to build this company and result in meaningful upside for all involved."
"We are very excited to have Marty take the helm at Sony/ATV in what we believe will be a transformative appointment," said Sir Howard Stringer. "This sends a strong signal about how serious we are about music publishing and adds one of the most respected and accomplished executives in the music industry to our team. We expect Marty to do what he does best, grow this business and take it to the upper echelon of the industry."
"I am thrilled that Mr. Bandier has agreed to become Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing," said Michael Jackson. "Marty has over 30 years experience in the music publishing industry, and not only brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the industry, but the vision and ability to take the company to new heights. I look forward to working with him."
Mr. Bandier was named chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing in 1989 after a merger between SBK, a company he founded, and Thorn EMI. Under his leadership, the combined company became the world's largest and most successful music publishing company. When Bandier took the reins at EMI, the company was the fourth largest player in the industry.
About Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Music Publishing was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Sony and trusts formed by Michael Jackson. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns or administers over 400,000 copyrights by such artists as the Beatles, Beck, Brooks & Dunn, Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, The Everly Brothers, Fall Out Boy, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Mann, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Richie Sambora, Stephen Stills, KT Tunstall and Hank Williams, among others. It is not part of the Sony BMG Music Entertainment venture. On the web: http://www.sonyatv.com/.
SOURCE: Sony/ATV Music Publishing
CONTACT: Lisa Gephardt, of Sony Corporation of America,
+1-212-833-6826, Lisa_gephardt@sonyusa.com, for Sony/ATV Music Publishing; or
Steven Rubenstein, of Rubenstein Communications, +1-212-843-8043,
steven@rubenstein.com, for Mr. Bandier