Morelli To Helm Red

According to new RED chief Bob Morelli, it will be more of the same—literally and figuratively—for RED labels.

Morelli, who was named executive VP/GM of RED Distribution June 13, says the company's key executive and sales teams will remain in place, with possible additions to its marketing and new-media departments.

Morelli replaces president Ken Antonelli, who resigned June 2 (Billboard, June 18), sparking concern that other big changes were on the way. But Morelli says that is not the case.

"The core management team and the core players who have made RED what it is are still there, and I'm lucky to have inherited them," the new exec says. "We have a major commitment to the entire independent community and the retail community."

Morelli will oversee all areas of RED's operations. Reporting to him will be the senior management team, including senior VP of product development Alan Becker, VP of business and legal affairs Tony Timpano, VP of finance and administration Greg Bell, VP of marketing Laura Marques, VP of field sales Lou Tatulli and Red Ink senior VP/GM Howard Gabriel.

Morelli says RED will continue to work with Sony BMG to upstream some artists, moving successful acts into the Sony BMG system. "Where that exists, it's terrific from a strategic approach," he says. "Where it doesn't, then it's my responsibility to maximize selling and marketing records as stand-alone labels that I distribute."

Executives at RED-distributed labels seem pleased that Sony BMG made a fast hire, with many expressing confidence in Morelli's appointment because of his indie experience.

Morelli was most recently executive VP/GM of Sony BMG Music Entertainment Sales. He joined BMG in 1985 to oversee distribution, sales and marketing for a host of third-party labels. He also supervised two of BMG's efforts to launch an independent distribution division. "I wouldn't describe them as 'failed,' " Morellli says. "They were half-hearted attempts at trying to start something analogous to RED."

Or Music president Michael Caplan says, "Ken was a great ally, and I only hope that Bob can continue that tradition. I hear really good things from my friends at Sony about him, and I do like the fact that he has a background with indie labels." ••••