The consolidation of the recently merged SonyBMG should be completed by the end of June 2006, or so says the company's Chief Operating Officer. With the top global team now in place - four regional heads were appointed on Monday - work on merging the two major labels in each regional territory and country is likely to begin in the next few months. Top executives in each country are likely to be appointed in the next few days - Sony UK boss Rob Stringer is likely to get the top SonyBMG job in Britain.
This is likely to mean to closure of several offices around the world - rumour has it the first office to go will be Sony's German HQ in Berlin. Each closure will bring with it job losses and roster culls. Exactly how many jobs will go, and what will happen to the label structure in each territory, is still to be confirmed.