BMG’S PROUD HERITAGE

Hours of research shows that Victoria’s Secret is proof that there’s nothing sexier than catalog. Because of that, BMG is launching its own catalog label, BMG Heritage. The imprint will officially embark Jan. 1, with Alex Miller heading it up as Senior VP, BMG Heritage. He will report to BMG President/CEO Distribution and Associated Labels Pete Jones.

BMG Heritage will have catalog responsibilities for BMG-owned labels, Arista, Buddha, RCA, RLG and Windham Hill/Private Music, with catalog artists including Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Alan Jackson and Lou Reed. Releases will be co-branded BMG Heritage and the respective label that owns the repertoire. The imprint will also issue previously unreleased materials, create catalog series and release co-branded product for third parties, such as with BMG Special Products for direct response products.

The label expects to begin releasing records as early as the first half of next year.

Said BMG N.A. President/CEO Bob Jamieson: "BMG Heritage represents a new company-wide approach to developing and marketing our catalog that will leverage the strength and depth of our archives across all labels. Though when it came time to name the label, I wish that all of the animal names ending in ‘o’ hadn’t been taken."

Miller joined BMG in 1998, launching BMG catalog re-issue imprint Buddha. He was most recently Senior VP, Worldwide Marketing, RCA Victor Group. Buddha will be revised into an imprint of BMG Heritage.

Said Miller: "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the rich musical history that lies in BMG’s archives to music lovers in innovative ways. In fact, I’ll be going door-to-door with a trunk full of Air Supply reissues."

The rest of the starting lineup at BMG Heritage is VP Sales Tom O’Flynn; Senior Director, Marketing and Media Mandana Eidgah; Director of A&R and Product Development Rob Santos; and Director of Marketing and Product Management John Hudson.