Veteran Executive Rudi Gassner to Leave BMG

In an unexpected move, record industry veteran Rudi Gassner will step down this month as head of Bertelsmann Music Group’s international arm. During Gassner’s 13-year tenure, BMG’s international revenue tripled and its business grew from 14 to 53 operating companies outside the U.S. Gassner, who had more than two years left on his contract, will not be replaced. The international sector of the German conglomerate will now be overseen directly by BMG Chief Executive Strauss Zelnick.