(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Anders Hjelmtorp has been hired as the new executive director of Export Music Sweden effective June 29. He replaces Christer Lundblad, who is leaving after five years to work as executive director of the distribution company CDA.
Hjelmtorp started his music career as product manager at CBS Records in 1978. In 1983 he founded Virgin Records Scandinavia where he acted as CEO until Richard Branson sold the company in 1992. Afterwards he reconstructed Virgin Records Sweden and stayed there as its CEO until 2000. During this period he was the founder of EVA Records and served as a board member 1987-2000. He was also a board member of IFPI Swedish Group 1986-2000. Since 2000 he has been working as senior vice president at Musicbrigade where he was also one of the co-founders of this company. Today Musicbrigade is one of the leading companies in digital music distribution in Europe, and the company is first in Europe to sell videos from both major and independent companies over the 3G net.
"We are very happy to employ Mr Hjelmtorp at Export Music Sweden," says Roland Sandberg, chairman of the board. "The big number of applications shows that ExMS during the years has got a good reputation and is well established as a service organisation for the Swedish music business in export issues. We are convinced that Mr Hjelmtorp with his deep knowledge and experience of the music business will continue to develop the activities in the same efficient and broad manner as those who worked there earlier have done.
"I see this as both a challenge and a thrilling possibility to work for ExMS," says Hjelmtorp. "ExMS has in the past years managed very well with its projects and has established its brand to a good level. To take the responsibility for Sweden's music export organization is an honor and to serve the music business in order to increase its export will be a very nice task. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
