April 17, 2008

By By Ed Christman, N.Y.

Barry Weiss is now the top man on the BMG side of Sony BMG Music Entertainment as he becomes chairman and CEO of the BMG Label Group, replacing Clive Davis, who has been named chief creative officer for Sony BMG Worldwide. Weiss and Davis will report to Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

In the wake of Weiss' appointment, BMG Label Group president and COO Charles Goldstruck is leaving the company as will Sony BMG COO Tim Bowen.

In order to fill the void created by Bowen's departure, Richard Sanders, president of global marketing, will also assume responsibilities as the head of international, overseeing operations and regional offices worldwide.

Weiss now oversees all the BMG labels, which include RCA Records, Jive, J Records, LaFace, Arista, Volcano, Verity, GospoCentric and Fo Yo Soul.

Meanwhile, the legendary Davis will continue to work with premier artists for Sony BMG.

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