Universal Music Group Appoints Tom Bennett as Chief Executive Officer of
Bravado
LONDON and NEW YORK, May 12/PRNewswire-AsiaNet/--
- Industry Leader in Music and Entertainment Merchandise Sets Global
Expansion
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has
promoted Tom Bennett to Chief Executive Officer of Bravado, its global
merchandising division. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced
today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group
International, to whom Bennett reports. Formerly, Mr. Bennett served as
Bravado's North American CEO. He will continue to be based in New York.
In this expanded role, Mr. Bennett will oversee the development,
marketing and manufacturing of licensed products through all channels of
merchandise distribution in 77 countries. Recognised as a leader in the music
and entertainment merchandise industry, Bravado possesses one of the most
extensive and diverse client rosters in the business, and includes such
chart-toppers as Alicia Keys, Iron Maiden, Robert Plant, Beyonce, Bullet For
My Valentine, Celine Dion, Daughtry, Girls Aloud, Gwen Stefani, Kanye West,
Kelly Clarkson, Korn, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Pink, Robbie Williams, Shakira,
Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Who, among many others.
"Music merchandising is now on the world stage," stated Mr. Grainge. "And
Bravado defines and shapes this business. Fortunately, Tom's experience and
tenure with Bravado will ensure that the company's legacy and future are
assured."
Tom Bennett said, "Bravado, because of its great history, is already
positioned at the forefront of the music merchandising business. With the
added support of Universal Music Group's resources and global reach, Bravado
will grow and lead in this sector as never before. We have decades of
experience and a world-class artist roster that's second to none. With fresh
investment and renewed purpose, Bravado will create and deliver innovative
products and customised ideas to ever-expanding territories to maximise each
artist's - and each brand's - merchandising potential and revenue. I am
confident that Bravado will continue to be the market leader."
Mr. Bennett has been associated with Bravado since its inception. In
addition, his background includes posts at PolyGram, where he headed its
worldwide merchandising interests from 1991-99, working with acts such as U2,
Elton John, Shania Twain and Sting; and at World Online Merchandising,
representing Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and Harley
Davidson's 100th anniversary. At World Online, Mr. Bennett also operated
official websites for such major artists as U2 (their first-ever site) and
Sting. Mr. Bennett rejoined Bravado as CEO in North America in March 2004,
and has since worked to strengthen and expand the company's business through
agreements with Slipknot, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Nickelback,
Shakira, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Spice Girls, Daughtry and Slayer,
among many others.
Notes to Editors:
About Bravado
Bravado develops and markets high-quality licensed merchandise to a
world-wide audience. The company works closely with new & established
entertainment clients, creating innovative products carefully tailored to
each artist or brand. It sells on live tours, via selected retail outlets and
through web-based stores. Bravado also licenses rights to an extensive
network of third party licensees around the world. The company has offices in
London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, Berlin, Sydney
and Stockholm, as well as commercial partners in South America.
Bravado is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading
music company. Its business also includes Universal Music Publishing Group,
the world's largest global publishing company.
UMG's record labels include Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Interscope Geffen
A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete
Music,
MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records,
Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal South
Records and Verve Music Group, as well as a multitude of record labels owned
or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The
Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the
industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music
Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the
U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and
technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First
Artists, its full service management division.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and
communications company.
For further information, contact: Peter LoFrumento, Universal Music Group, +1-
212-331-2585, peter.lofrumento@umusic.com; Adam White, Universal Music Group
International, +44(0)20-7471-5665 (office), +44(0)7808-924-030 (mobile),
adam.white@umusic.com
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