NEW YORK (VIP-NEWS) — Ticketmaster Entertainment has appointed veteran EMI Music and Warner Music executive Roger Ames as its new chief executive of international operations.
Ames, who most recently ran EMI Music North America until last year, was also previously chief executive of Warner Music Group until 2004. He is also a former CEO of PolyGram UK which became part of Universal Music Group.
The long-time music label executive will run all of Ticketmaster's operations outside of North America from its offices in London.
Ticketmaster chief executive Irving Azoff said in a statement Ames appointment was intended to strengthen its international business. The Trinidadian-born Ames has been based in London in recent years.
"The opportunities at Ticketmaster are as exciting as they are challenging," said Ames in a statement.
Ticketmaster is in a protracted merger with Live Nation Inc, the world's largest concert promoter. Regulators on both sides of the Atlantic have promised to carefully review the proposed combination of two of most powerful companies in the global live entertainment business.
The merger has met with opposition from U.S. congressmen and major pop stars including Bruce Springsteen. A decision is expected later this year.
