BMG Executive Quits After Six Months

Richard Griffiths, president of Bertelsmann Music Group’s European division, quit Thursday after six months on the job, becoming the second senior executive this month to abruptly exit the record conglomerate. The departure of Griffiths signals new turmoil in the management team established six months ago by BMG Chairman Rolf Schmidt-Holtz. Schmidt-Holtz, a former chief of Bertelsmann’s TV unit, was appointed to his post after the sudden death of record executive Rudi Gassner. Two weeks ago, BMG announced that Michael Smellie would become chief operating officer, replacing Konrad Hilbers, another member of the team appointed by Schmidt-Holtz. BMG promoted Thomas Stein, its executive vice president for marketing and artist and repertoire, to replace Griffiths.