WMI Revamps Marketing To Strengthen Affiliate Ties

Warner Music International (WMI) has restructured its marketing department under senior VP of international marketing Jay Durgan, to ensure "closer and more effective links" with the company's affiliates. The news follows the recent announcement of the merger of WMI's European and international operations (Bulletin, July 29).

WMI has named two new international marketing directors, Dion Singer and Henning Mielke. Singer, who was marketing director of WMI South Africa licensee Gallo Records, will coordinate international marketing initiatives for Warner Bros. Records. Mielke, formerly marketing manager of Warner Music Europe, will handle repertoire from U.S. labels Atlantic and Elektra. They will work alongside existing international marketing director Cristina Castillo, who handles acts signed to WMI affiliates.

Singer, Mielke and Castillo are based in London and report directly to Durgan, as does Jon Uren, senior director of international marketing.

Durgan tells Bulletin the new marketing team will act as "a one-stop shop" to support the activities of WMI affiliates. He confirms that the realignment will bring a small number of layoffs.

Elsewhere, Jakob Deichmann, head of A&R Nordic at Edel Denmark, has been named GM of Warner Music Denmark, effective Sept. 1. He will report to Warner Music Scandinavia president Jonas Siljemark.