Record Company Exec Deserves More Credit

“Zomba Dispute Sounds Sour Note at BMG” [The Biz, Oct. 22] could not have been more unfairly reported, not to mention inaccurate.

You start off by criticizing [BMG global record chief Strauss] Zelnick, saying that he “earned his [latest] promotion in part because of the perception that he had rejuvenated BMG’s sluggish division.” Perception? Look at the statistics, which you try to bury later in your article (and where you also contradict yourself): BMG’s global revenue has grown from $3.5 billion to $4.6 billion since 1994.

Additionally, you cannot deny that BMG has had the top six albums in America for the last several weeks. If Zelnick did say in a Sept. 8 interview, “We own pop music,” he was correct. Open the last few issues of Billboard and see for yourself.

How does this translate into being a braggart? This is the stuff every music executive dreams of and not a statistic you want to hide! Zelnick is well aware that tomorrow BMG could have no one at the top of the charts.

The fact is, Zelnick is at the top of the BMG “food chain.” The labels fall under his tutelage. Therefore, how can you say that “if you subtract [Arista’s Clive] Davis’ contribution . . . the company’s total percentage of sales would shrink an additional 5%”? Arista is a wholly owned label of BMG. Whether you like it or not, that profit falls under Zelnick.

Additionally, you should get your facts straight (or at the very least, try!). For starters, Zelnick was the president and chief operating officer of 20th Century Fox. He had nothing to do with Fox Television--except, perhaps, to watch it once in a while.

Lastly, if Zelnick had the “appetite for public attention” you mentioned in your article, why would he have “declined comment” when asked?

LINDA BENJAMIN PARDEE

Studio City