This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Labels & Publishers
Sallen appointed COO at new BMG/Primary Wave label services business
By Chris Cooke | Published on Wednesday 9 October 2013
Record industry veteran Ira Sallen has been appointed as COO of the new BMG/Primary Wave label services business in the US.
As previously reported, the new BMG/Primary Wave label services JV was part of the two companies’ recent deal Stateside, which also saw the former take a stake in the latter’s publishing catalogue. The new business sees BMG extend its service-provider orientated approach to master recording deals into the US market, albeit with Primary Wave leading.
Sallen spent two decades in senior HR roles with the original BMG company, latterly at the merged SonyBMG, before joining recruitment firm WTW Associates in 2009. Given Sallen’s HR background, it’s an interesting hire for the new company’s top operational executive. He will report into Primary Wave founder Larry Mestel, who is CEO of the label services set up.
Confirming the appointment, Mestel told reporters: “I’ve known Ira for fourteen years and I knew he would be a natural fit as COO of our new label services [company] because our vision and way of thinking are completely aligned. By partnering Primary Wave’s marketing power with a major like BMG, we now have a full-service label and ability to sign iconic artists, who are looking for change and creative freedom with their music”.
