BMG exec Andreas Katsambas is to fill the new role of EVP, Latin America and Canada.
Katsambas’ role will revolve around building BMG’s recordings and publishing divisions to drive revenue in the territories. Based in New York, he will report to CEO Hartwig Masuch.
Masuch commented: “BMG international’s network is already the biggest outside the established majors. This appointment marks the beginnings of a second-stage rollout of our services around the world. Further territories will follow as our business continues to grow.”
Around half of BMG’s revenues – which increased by 11% in the first half of this year – currently come from the US, and Katsambas’s appointment is designed to drive further scale in the Americas.
Katsambas said: “Latin America and Canada’s importance as international repertoire sources is well-known, but we believe there is a significant gap in the market in giving international artists – particularly in Latin America – the attention they deserve. Our aim is to give those artists the level of service and reach the live music business has long offered in the region.”
We believe there is a significant gap in the market
Andreas Katsambas
The Latin American operation will see Katsambas leading BMG’s strategic efforts, business development and building on existing patnerships, such as those with Mexico City-based servies company Seitrack. New links will be forged with Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. In Brazil, he will work with BMG GM Jasmina Zammit.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Katsambas will develop the business in Toronto and Montreal to support US and international repertoire. Newly appointed SVP, global recordings, Jason Hradil, will manage all repertoire releases in the region.
Katsambas will also lead Latin music initiatives for BMG, including recent deals with labels Goldstar and El Equipo, direct signing Malu Trevejo and the new Trojan Jamaica label.
Katsambas joined BMG in 2017 following its acquisition of his The End Records label. He previously served as BMG’s SVP global recordings in America, overseeing campaigns including Morrissey, The Cranberries, Marianne Faithfull, Lenny Kravitz, Dido, Kylie Minogue, Perry Farrell, and Lil Dicky.
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