Bertelsmann veteran named as next CEO

Bertelsmann, owner of Random House Inc. and half of Sony BMG, named Hartmut Ostrowski as its next chief executive, turning to a company veteran of two decades to cut debt and accelerate Internet expansion.

Ostrowski, 48, will succeed Gunter Thielen, 64, on Jan. 1 next year, the Guetersloh, Germany-based company said. Bertelsmann needed to replace Thielen because he was past the mandatory retirement age.