A former Universal Music International President, John Kennedy, will take over the top job at global music industry association, IFPI.
He will replace current IFPI chief executive Jason Berman who, although not due to stand down until the end of 2005, is now likely to leave the association at the end of the year. Berman has been in talks to finish his tenure in the CEO post early for a while, at the same time as discussing the viability of moving the London based role to New York.
But with Kennedy now confirmed as a successor it is likely the new man will be in place before the organisation's board meeting on 10 Nov. After a short changeover period Berman is likely to leave the association in late Dec.
Former Universal UK boss Kennedy, who left his top role at Universal Music International back in Feb, will be the IFPI's second full time chairman, taking on the association's increasingly proactive battle against piracy of both the physical and virtual kind.