BMG appoints Johannes von Schwarzkopf as chief strategy officer

von Schwarzkopf will report directly to CEO Thomas Coesfeld and will oversee the development and execution of BMG’s global strategy. In addition, he will lead efforts to create new business opportunities, including strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A), while continuing to manage the company’s global licensing and sync business.

“It is an honour to take on the role of chief strategy officer at BMG,” von Schwarzkopf said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our talented teams and the executive board to build on our successes, capitalise on new growth opportunities, and establish BMG as the industry’s innovation leader. I thank Thomas for his trust and support, and I am excited to contribute to BMG’s next exciting chapter.”

Since joining BMG in 2021, von Schwarzkopf has played a key role in finance and M&A, particularly in support of BMG’s boost investment programme. Under this initiative, BMG made ten catalogue acquisitions in the first half of 2024, bringing its total music catalogue investments since 2021 to approximately €900 million (about $943 million).

As senior vice president of corporate development, von Schwarzkopf was instrumental in shaping and implementing the company’s “BMG Next” strategy, launched in 2023. This strategy positioned BMG as a future-forward music company focused on meeting the evolving needs of artists and songwriters.

During a keynote fireside chat at the Second Annual Music Investor Conference in New York last summer, hosted by NMPA CEO David Israelite, Coesfeld highlighted the success of the BMG Next strategy, describing the company as “uniquely poised to meet the evolving needs of artists and songwriters.” A notable part of this strategy was the introduction of a new US Frontline Recorded organisational structure in 2024.

Before joining BMG, von Schwarzkopf worked as an M&A transaction advisor for consulting firm EY and in media sales at advertising technology company Taboola.

“Johannes co-developed BMG’s Next Strategy, which has transformed the company and enabled a new level of profitability alongside healthy organic growth,” Coesfeld said. “He has an extraordinary ability to drive strong results through innovation, and I am confident that, in this new role, he will continue to propel BMG forward and cement our position as a leader in the global music marketplace. I welcome Johannes to our Executive Board as a respected leader and a great addition to the team.”