Consider BMG & Concord Completely Combined
• BMG and Concord announced the successful completion of their combination, creating a new global music company with the scale, expertise, and capabilities to unlock greater opportunities for creators. The transaction, first announced on April 28, 2026, has received all required regulatory approvals. Operating under the BMG name, the company’s global headquarters will be located in Nashville, with Berlin serving as its European headquarters.
Effective today, Bob Valentine assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer of BMG, with Thomas Coesfeld serving as Chairman.
“The completion of this transaction marks the beginning of a new chapter for BMG, creating a business with the scale and resources equipped for the future,” said Coesfeld. “We believe that investing in creators, music rights, and AI will allow us to unlock new opportunities for artists and writers in a rapidly evolving industry. By building on the entrepreneurial cultures and independent spirit that have long defined both organizations, we have created a platform that is uniquely positioned in the music industry and set up for sustainable long-term growth. I am truly convinced that together, our passionate teams will continue to innovate with purpose and deliver exceptional service to our creative partners around the world.”
Valentine remarked, “Today marks an exciting new chapter for our combined company and the creators we represent. We have brought together exceptional teams, celebrated catalogs, diverse and talented rosters, and a shared belief that creative talent deserves both dedicated advocacy and sustained investment. While our reach has expanded, the mission that brought us together remains the same: to support artists over the long term, honor the legacies we represent, and help build the next generation of enduring music and culture.”
The combined company is owned 67% by Bertelsmann and 33% by affiliates of Great Mountain Partners. Affiliates of Great Mountain Partners received a one-time cash payment of $1.16 billion.
• BMG also announced its Executive Management Team and Strategic Leadership Council — The Executive Management Team is: Bob Valentine, Chief Executive Officer • Björn Bauer, Chief Financial Officer • Sebastian Hentzschel, Chief Operating Officer • Victor Zaraya, Chief Revenue Officer • Amanda Molter, General Counsel • Kent Hoskins, Chief Transformation Officer.
• Here is the Strategic Leadership Council: Tom Becci, Global Recorded Operations • Jon Loba, Global Frontline Recordings • Alberto Chullen, Corporate Development & Investments • Sophia Dilley, Concord Originals • Sean Flahaven, Concord Theatricals • Celine Joshua, Global Marketing & Streaming • Nitsa Kalispera, Global Supply Chain Operations • Ruth Martinez, Human Resources • Kristal McKanders Dube, Corporate Communications • Alistair Norbury, Senior Creative Advisor to CEO Bob Valentine • Tom Scherer, Global Catalog Recordings • Jim Selby, Global Music Publishing.
