EMI Music has recruited Birgit Adels to preside over its German company, with effect from April 3.
A former BMG executive, Adels joins the music major from the fashion house Prada Group in Duesseldorf, where she has been CEO of its Northern European operations for four years.
As EMI Music Germany president, she succeeds Niel van Hoff, who exited the company in January. A newly-formed supervisory board was subsequently established to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Cologne-based firm. EMI Music Continental Europe chairman/CEO Jean-Francois Cecillon continues to chair the EMI Music Germany board.
“I am very pleased to welcome an executive of Birgit’s calibre to lead EMI Music Germany in the next stage of its creative and business mission,” comments Cecillon in a statement issued today (March 21). “Her track record as a successful CEO coupled with her experience in the music, media and fashion industries will prove invaluable to providing new leadership and direction to one of our key operations in Europe.”
In the statement, Adels commented, “I am delighted to be moving back to the music industry and joining EMI at a time of great challenge and opportunity.”
Earlier in her career, Adels served for seven years with German media giant Bertelsmann Group in its music divisions and book publishing operations.
She joined Bertelsmann in 1993 in a sales and marketing function within its books publishing division. She transferred to BMG International in 1995 as director of European special marketing. In 1997, she was appointed GM international at BMG Ricordi Italy.
In 2000, she began a two-year stint helming German Internet business consultancy A-Net.
