Sony BMG Music Entertainment underwent a downsizing within its Commercial Music Group the week ending Nov. 17, with the Masterworks division hardest hit.
Sony BMG executives confirm a report that first appeared on MusicalAmerica.com that six staffers at Sony BMG Masterworks were let go, including its president Gilbert Hetherwick, VP of classical A&R Debbi Surdi and VP of product management Michelle Errante. Additionally, Legacy VP of jazz marketing Seth Rothstein and two staffers from the Customer Marketing Group were laid off. While source say that all departments in the Commercial Music Group were hit, its not known if anybody from the Television or Strategic Marketing Group were let go.
Each Sony division contacted decline to comment on the cuts, except Sony BMG Masterworks which issued the following statement. “In order to make Sony BMG Masterworks more responsive and more effective in adapting to the new realities of the classical music market, the label was recently made part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment Commercial Music Group. As part of the Group, Masterworks will have access to additional resources in the areas of digital, sales, promotion and A&R. Masterworks remains committed to being a leader in classical and Broadway music, as well as in soundtracks.”
These recent cutbacks come on the heels of a small downsizing at Sony BMG Music Entertainment Sales, where about six staffers lost their jobs a few weeks back due to the liquidation of Tower Records.
