Company Town : Warner Watchers Turn Their Attention to Ostin

All eyes in the music business are on the Burbank office of Warner Bros. Records Chairman Mo Ostin as word spreads that a sudden meeting had been held to iron out the latest wrinkle in the corporate realignment at Warner Music Group.

Under a restructuring plan announced last month, Ostin and all U.S. label heads are required to report directly to Doug Morris, chief operating officer of the corporation’s new domestic division, Warner Music-USA. Former Elektra Chairman Bob Krasnow resigned one day after the announcement, blaming his departure primarily on his exclusion from the new corporate inner circle.

The New York-based Morris flew in unexpectedly Friday and met behind closed doors for several hours with Ostin, who is also believed to disapprove of the new chain of command. Sources said Ostin has been resistant to suggestions that he streamline his label and reluctant to anoint a successor, whom most insiders believe will be his longtime sidekick and current Warner Bros. Records President Lenny Waronker.

Neither Ostin nor Morris could be reached for comment, but sources said Ostin is expected to fly to New York today to try to resolve the matter.

* Samuel Goldwyn Co. has named Kirk D’Amico its vice president of international sales.

* Veteran Hollywood publicist Warren Cowan--best known as the former chairman of Rogers & Cowan--has started a new company, Warren Cowan & Associates, in Beverly Hills.

* Mel Lewinter was named executive vice president at Warner Music-USA.

* Jonathan C. Levin has been named creative consultant to television producer Aaron Spelling.

* Ken Katsumoto has been named vice president of Paragon Entertainment Corp.’s new family entertainment unit, headed by Paragon President Gary A. Randall.

* Betsy Beers has been named president of worldwide production for Dogstar Films, a company affiliated with director Mike Newell.

* Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has promoted three members of its legal department, Helen Jorda, Jill R. Lerner and Patricia V. Mayer, to vice president and two members, Greer C. Bosworth and Kelli Bentson Tabb, to senior counsel.

* MCA Concerts has named Frank Roach vice president of family entertainment, where he will plan a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers tour.

* Warner Home Video has named Sergei Kuharsky vice president of marketing.

* Todd F. Mose has been named production manager for Time Warner Cable’s Full Service Network in Orlando, Fla.

* Neil Werde has been named senior vice president of marketing and sales for Rhino Records.

* Barry Benson was named national director of radio promotions for the Tuff Break record label.

* Wes Mason has been named manager of special projects for Priority Records.

* Christina Morawski has been named development coordinator at Sunbow Productions.

* Susan Grant has been named executive vice president of Turner Program Services.

* MCA Music Entertainment has named Anita Hill director of communications.