Bandier named as SME CEO candidate

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE: A new name has emerged in the latest speculation about the search for the next Sony Music CEO: Marty Bandier. The Sony/ATV boss and longtime industry heavyweight was brought into the picture in a story in this morning’s N.Y. Post by Claire Atkinson, citing her sources. According to the reporter, Bandier, who joined the pubbery in 2007 after running EMI Music Publishing for 16 years, is gaining support within Sony's ranks. Since his arrival, Sony/ATV’s marketshare has increased to a level where the company has become one of the top two pubcos in recent quarters. But Sony/ATV isn’t part of Sony Music, so Bandier “isn't caught up in the ‘civil war’ between rival factions under [Barry] Weiss and [Rob] Stringer,” Atkinson notes. If Bandier gets the job, he’d become the second EMP chief to graduate to running one of the Big Four music groups, joining EMI topper Roger Faxon. (10/15a)