Sony BMG Music Entertainment's worldwide team is in place.

COO Michael Smellie announced the company's management group for its operations in territories outside the U.S., which will be overseen by the following executives, all reporting directly to Mr. Smellie:

* Tim Bowen, Sony BMG U.K./Canada/Australia/New Zealand/South Africa
* Richard Denekamp, Sony BMG Asia
* Maarten Steinkamp, Sony BMG Continental Europe
* Frank Welzer, Sony BMG Latin

Said Smellie: "Together these executives offer the very best combination of creative management and business savvy based on a wealth of experience and impressive track records. I am thrilled to have such a talented team as we create a new industry leader based on our strong commitment to our repertoire centers and artists across the globe. And they're all fluent in both German and Japanese."

Sony BMG Asia will not include Sony BMG's operations in Japan, BMG Funhouse, which will continue to be overseen by EVP/CMO Tim Prescott and managed by company President Hide Tashiro.

As befits a venture that is 50-50, two of the execs are from Sony, and two from BMG.

Tim Bowen most recently served as Chairman and CEO BMG U.K. and Ireland since early 2002, a position he assumed shortly after joining BMG as Chief Operating Officer for BMG Europe. Previously he served as Executive Vice President for Universal Music International and Managing Director of Columbia Records, UK, having started his career with Sony Music in the UK in Business Affairs, followed by four years in New York as Head of Sony Music Publishing International.

Richard Denekamp served as President, Asia, for Sony Music International (SMI) since 1997, having previously served as Senior Vice President for the region. Mr. Denekamp began his career in the music business in 1972 with EMI in the Netherlands, joining CBS Records/Sony Music Holland in 1986 as Deputy Managing Director, then being named Managing Director. In 1992 was promoted to Senior Vice President, European Region, and in 1994, joined SMI headquarters in N.Y. as Sony Music International Sr. VP.

Maarten Steinkamp most recently served as President International for BMG, overseeing operations in more than 30 territories around the world including Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and U.S.
Latin. Since early 2004, he also served as President, BMG Germany/Switzerland/ Austria. Previously he served in the position of EVP BMG Continental and Eastern Europe, and prior to that, EVP ASEAN region. In 1997, he was named Managing Director, BMG Benelux. after being tapped as GM of BMG Netherlands in 1995.

Frank J. Welzer most recently served as Chairman & CEO, Latin America, Sony Music International (SMI) since 2002, overseeing Sony Music Norte. From 1993 to 2002 he served as President, Latin American, SMI. Mr. Welzer joined CBS Records in 1969, becoming Vice President, Business Development, for CBS Records International in 1977. He was named Sony Discos VP/GM in 1987, and promoted to President in 1990.