Following the example of its thriving Nashville subsidiary, BMG is laser-focused on being a premier label and investing heavily in developing American artists.
Within six months John Lorba Promoted from president of BMG Nashville to president of Frontline Recordings for BMG North America, he will now expand his remit as president of Frontline Recordings for the Americas, including Brazil. He will oversee new releases across all genres including pop, rock, R&B/hip hop, country and Latin.
“We’re going to be much more frontline focused,” Roba said. Billboard“There is a reallocation of resources to the U.S. We will be more competitive on the front lines, including building out the LATAM sector.”
The move was accompanied by significant investment in A&R, A&R research and digital resources, and saw BMG double the money it had been spending on signings and acquisitions in the U.S. “The whole idea of putting me in this position was [BMG] “We really wanted the rest of America to emulate the Nashville culture and the way we break artists,” Loba says.
BMG’s country division is a front-line powerhouse with platinum artists like Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Rainie Wilson, Parmalee, Dustin Lynch and Blanco Brown, while genres outside of country have “focused on acquisition and developing established artists,” Roba said. “We’re intentional about organic growth, but also want to be a home for new viral artists.”
Running BMG Nashville, Roba has learned that “icons come from the margins” and that imitators aren’t necessary. “We want to be a home for artists who might not be able to find a home elsewhere as easily, or who others might not immediately value,” he says. “We want to be a home for different perspectives, different voices.”
Part of BMG Nashville’s success is down to the strength of its radio promotion team, which Roba hopes to focus on selecting non-country records in the future. “Radio is also a driver of streaming,” he says. “Streaming may get airplay for a period of time without radio involvement, but no artist cares about radio airplay, so you can’t have a radio presence if you want to appeal to current and future artists.”
BMG plans to remain active in the acquisition space, with a focus on signing new artists to complement its existing business. Berlin-based BMG made 30 acquisitions last year, growing revenues to 905 million euros (equivalent to $986 million), up 4.6% from 2022, according to its end-2023 report. Key acquisitions include buying the royalty income from Paul Simon’s Simon & Garfunkel recordings and acquiring the catalogue of British rock band The Hollies.
Unlike many labels that are merging their catalogue operations with Frontline, BMG Records will remain independent (though it is expected that the new BMG CEO will take over). Thomas Coesfeld The plan was to merge the two companies when he took over in July last year. Thomas SchererThe former publishing head is now head of the global records catalogue. Recorded music accounts for 34% of BMG’s revenue, 61% from publishing and the remaining 5% from broader rights, according to its 2023 report.
Roba has also put together a management team, many of whom have restructured their roles. Below are the key members of his team and their defined roles:
*Jojamie HarrHerr, executive vice president of recorded music at BMG Nashville, will oversee the day-to-day management of BBR Music Group and its three labels, which include artists such as Jelly Roll, Aldean and Wilson. Herr, who joined the company in 2017, will report to Roba.
*Zara OrtizAs vice president of repertoire and campaign management, Ortiz will oversee building BMG’s presence in Latin American markets, including Mexico and Brazil, and in genres such as Afropop. Based in Miami and overseeing the Mexico team, Ortiz will report to Roba, as well as the GM. Daniel Fernandez In Brazil.
*Dan GillAs Executive Vice President of Recorded Music West Coast, Gill will oversee pop, rock, R&B/hip hop and international outbound repertoire. Gill, who joined BMG following the company’s acquisition of Vagrant Records in 2014, has led the success of artists such as Blink-182 and LP at BMG and will lead campaigns for upcoming releases from YG, Chief Keef and Wiz Khalifa, among others. Gill will report to Roba.
*Gill’s direct subordinates include Cindy Lynottsenior vice president of marketing, who will lead BMG’s recording front-line strategy for pop artists such as New Kids on the Block and The Script. Shawn HagedornAs Senior Vice President of Rise Records, he will oversee some of the most cutting edge artists in rock, including Rise artists and BMG rock acts Godsmack, Lenny Kravitz and Sum 41. Shane CosmeticsSenior Vice President of International Marketing at BMG US, responsible for the distribution of American titles outside the United States. Tim ReidThe role of senior vice president of repertoire and marketing will oversee US R&B/hip hop and RBC Records, home of Chief Keef and Run the Jewels. Jekuru RemotheAs Vice President of A&R and Marketing, Reid will also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of RBC Records. Lynott, Hagedorn, Cosme and Lemothe are based in Los Angeles, while Reid has relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville.
*Brian ColumbusColumbus, vice president, recorded music, Canada, will report directly to Roba. He returns to BMG from a stint at Concord Label Group. Prior to joining Concord, he led the Canadian market campaign for Nashville’s Broken Bow Record Music Group through its partnership with BMG and Black Box Music.
Roba hinted at more changes to come, including additions to the frontline, global and U.S. teams.
