Goldman New Head of RCA’s Ariola Unit

In an apparent executive shake-up, RCA Corp. announced Wednesday that Elliot Goldman has been named president and chief executive of RCA/Ariola International, the worldwide recorded music division formed in August by the merger of RCA and West Germany-based Bertlesman AG.

Goldman, 50, replaces Robert D. Summer, who had headed RCA’s record operations for seven years. RCA announced that Summer has been named president of RCA’s classical music label, Red Seal.

Company sources would not categorize the changeover as a demotion for Summer, but they acknowledged that, in his “newly created” position, Summer would be reporting to Goldman.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Goldman said he doesn’t expect to make any further executive changes at the company. “I have no intention of rocking the boat. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to build this company, expand its capabilities and do what we need to do to become No. 1.”

RCA currently is the third-largest U.S. record distributor behind CBS Records and Warner Communications. In addition to its own label, RCA distributes A&M; Records, the largest independent U.S. record company, and Arista Records, in which RCA holds a 50% stake.

Over the years, Goldman has held high-level executive positions at Arista Records, CBS Records and Warner Communications, where he was senior vice president of the record and music publishing division until he resigned last May.