BMG has appointed veteran music industry A&R Monti Olson to partner Shani Gonzales as co-head, A&R, frontline publishing for its US operation.
Gonzales has taken on an additional role as co-head, writer services in the UK, working alongside A&R director Hugo Turquet to enhance opportunities for UK-based writers in the US.
Olson and Gonzales will lead BMG’s Los Angeles and New York creative teams, reporting to Thomas Scherer, BMG EVP, frontline publishing US.
Shani Gonzales has been co-head of A&R in the US since 2016, and has overseen some of BMG’s top songwriter clients including Poo Bear, DJ Khaled, Bibi Bourelly, Nate Cyphert and Nic Nac.
Gonzales is credited with a key role in BMG’s current record-breaking success in US publishing. Last week the company announced it has had shares in the No.1 records on US radio for 10 consecutive weeks. Last year it had shares in all Top 3 records on the US Hot 100 for 13 consecutive weeks in the summer.
Scherer said: “Monti is the perfect complement to Shani and BMG. He brings an incredible track record and experience to the team which will also give Shani the space for her additional role. The ability to bring together talented writers from wherever they come is a key part of the BMG approach. Shani will be at the centre of our plan to bring together writers from the world’s two most globally influential music markets.”
Gonzales said, “I am very excited to welcome Monti and begin working with our UK team and writers to develop opportunities in the US market.”
Olson joins BMG from Warner Bros Records where he recently served as SVP, A&R, working with artists including Chase Atlantic, Benny Cassette, Josh Groban and the soundtrack to the film Marshall.
During his career, he has worked alongside writers and artists including Maroon 5, Christina Aguilera, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Ari Levine of The Smeezingtons, and songwriting and producing team The Matrix.
Previously, he served as EVP and managing director of worldwide music publishing at Global Entertainment, the US content creation and multi-rights division of UK-based Global. Olson led publishing across both the Los Angeles and London offices with a roster including Ellie Goulding, Corinne Bailey Rae, LMFAO, and The Vaccines.
Olson said, “I am thrilled to join the new BMG and admire what they have achieved in such a short time. I thank Zach [Katz] and Thomas for their belief and endeavor to have a successful and rewarding partnership with Shani.”
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