BMG Kicks Off Global Expansion, Adding Andreas Katsambas as Executive VP, Latin America and Canada
As BMG plots a wave of international expansion, the recorded music and publishing giant has appointed Andreas Katsambas to the newly-created role executive vp, Latin America and Canada.
As BMG plots a wave of international expansion, the recorded music and publishing giant has appointed Andreas Katsambas to the newly-created role of executive vp, Latin America and Canada.
Based in New York and reporting to CEO Hartwig Masuch, Katsambas is tasked with setting up recordings and publishing infrastructure in Latin America and Canada. The goal is to further drive scale in the Americas, where around 50% of BMG’s revenues currently come from the U.S.
“BMG international’s network is already the biggest outside the established majors,” Masuch shares. “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.”
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Katsambas, who joined BMG in 2017, previously served as BMG’s senior vp global recordings in the U.S., where he oversaw marketing campaigns for international releases by Morrissey, The Cranberries, Lenny Kravitz and others.
In Latin America, Katsambas will focus on the key markets of Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru, building on BMG’s existing partnerships in the region with companies like Mexico City label services operation Seitrack. In Brazil, he’ll work closely with BMG GM Jasmina Zammit. Katsambas will also lead Latin music initiatives for BMG, including its recent deals with labels Goldstar and El Equipo.
In an interview with Billboard, Masuch recently clarified that the goal isn’t to sign South American artists, but rather to “build the best international company in South America.” “It’s a very locally driven market,” he said, “so there’s much more room for international repertoire.”
Over in Canada, Katsambas will set up infrastructure in Toronto and Montreal to support U.S. and international repertoire. All reportoire releases there will be managed by newly-appointed senior vp global recordings Jason Hradil.
“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,” said Katsambas. “Our aim is to give those artists the level of service and reach the live music business has long offered in the region.”
Headquartered in Berlin, BMG now has 15 offices in 12 countries.
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