Well, all that gossip on the HitsDailyDouble website over the weekend regarding executive stresses over at the Warner Music Group certainly had one thing right. Paul-Rene Albertini is out of the top job at Warner Music International, despite recent successes at the division. The Warner Music Group yesterday confirmed Albertini was out the door with immediate effect, to be replaced by one Patrick Vien, a telly exec who was most recently President of NBC Universal's Global Networks Division. While Albertini was based in London, Vien will work out of New York.
Warner Music Group chairman Edgar Bronfman Jnr confirmed the new appointment yesterday, noting that Albertini leaves "WMI strongly positioned for continued success and creative achievement" and adding "I want to thank him for his years of service to all of our artists and for his commitment to successfully leading our international recorded music operations. On behalf of the entire company, we wish Paul-René the very best."
On the new appointment Bronfman continued: "We're delighted to have Patrick Vien join WMG to lead our international recorded music operations. Patrick is a talented and accomplished entertainment executive with strong operational skills, and he brings to WMI a deep understanding of the opportunities that new and emerging technologies present global content businesses. With his extensive background in producing, distributing and marketing content in a dynamic international environment, and his strong relationships in the entertainment community, Patrick will be an invaluable addition to WMG as we continue our transformation into a diverse, music-based content company."
As reported yesterday, Albertini's sudden departure has led to rumours of stresses at the top of the major record company, with the former WMI chief allegedly clashing with Warner US boss Lyor Cohen, who is also rumoured to be on poor terms with the boss of the US division of Warner Bros, Tom Whalley. Neither Warner nor Albertini, nor Whalley for that matter, have commented on those rumours.