Warner Int'l Tends To Net Biz With New Division, Vp

LONDON-Warner Music International (WMI) has created a new division to look after its Internet-related business outside the U.S.
The company's New Media Group will handle WMI's "future involvement in new media, including Internet sites and E-commerce," according to a statement. WMI has appointed Martin Craig to the new position of VP of the New Media Group, effective immediately (BillboardBulletin, Aug. 17).
London-based Craig will report to Mark Foster, VP of marketing for Warner Music Europe. Craig joined Warner Music U.K. in 1980 as a sales representative and was subsequently GM of its special project division Warner.esp.
Craig says he will have a strategic role in "formulating and coordinating the new-media activities of all the [Warner Music] companies of the group in all territories [outside the U.S.]."
"Our goal is to make the best of all opportunities and the tools that are available to us," he explains. Craig adds that he will be working closely with Warner's U.S. labels.
Craig says he is gradually scaling down his current U.K. activities and will be fully operational in his new role "in a couple of weeks." Foster was unavailable for comment.
A WMI spokesman says Craig's reporting to Foster is a reflection of Foster's increasing involvement in all aspects of new media.
"Mark's job is VP of marketing for Warner Music Europe, and it remains his job, but during the past six months, he has been representing WMI in all the different meetings held by Warner Music on digital-media initiatives," the spokesman says. "He took the mantle on behalf of WMI, and he's been the main person involved in the matter."