John Clifford has been appointed to head up BMG’s production business, BMG Production Music (BMGPM).
Based in London, Clifford will report to BMG CFO Maximilian Dressendorfer, who oversees BMGPM’s provision of music services across the broadcast, film, games and advertising industries.
Clifford joined BMGPM in 2017 as MD UK and SVP global sales, marketing & repertoire.? Since then the company has more than doubled both revenues and EBITDA to become the fourth biggest player in the production music business worldwide.
Dressendorfer said: “Production music is one of our most dynamic segments of business. John Clifford has made a significant contribution to this growth and I am delighted to congratulate him on his expanded role.”
Clifford commented: “In many ways BMG Production Music has followed the same growth trajectory as the core BMG business, first of all defining a unique market positioning and then growing swiftly by acquisition. The emphasis now is on organic growth and service delivery, but we do so now as a global player.”
We are a global player
John Clifford, BMGPM
Clifford previously ran the former BMG Zomba in Australia and has also served at Universal Production Music where he held the roles of ?MD UK, head of media rights management, Europe, and GM?, Australia/New Zealand.
So far at BMGPM Clifford has been involved with UK acquisitions Altitude and Deep East Music, the global relaunch of the BMGPM brand, and the development new business with clients including Ninja Tune and Red Bull.
He succeeds Geert-Willem ‘GW’ Koolhof, who stands down following the completion of BMGPM’s initial build phase. Koolhof joined BMG in 2015 as finance & commercial director, Benelux. In 2017, he served as interim executive overseeing the BMG Talpa publishing and recordings businesses and later became SVP, International. ?
Commenting on Koolhof’s tenure, Dressendorfer added: “GW is an accomplished business development and change manager who has successfully completed his mission to propel BMG Production Music on to a world stage. He has been a valued leader and trusted partner and he leaves the production music business in strong financial and operational health. I would like to thank him for all he has done for BMG.”
We are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to London as a music capital
Maximilian Dressendorfer
Clifford’s appointment means London will become the worldwide headquarters of BMG Production Music. It joins the company’s recordings, licensing and publishing arms in the capital.
Dressendorfer said: “In this time of economic uncertainty around Brexit, we are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to London as a music capital.”
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