Ames Returns to Time Warner

Former Warner Music chief Roger Ames has returned to Time Warner Inc. as a consultant after leaving an advisory role he held with the record- ing company since its sale by Time Warner to an investor group.

The move ends speculation over whether Ames, who became chairman and chief executive of Warner Music in 1999, would assume a prominent role in the management structure of the newly independent Warner Music Group.

Since taking over, current Warner Music Group chief Edgar Bronfman Jr. has gradually put in place a new management team, including tapping former Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Lyor Cohen to lead Warner’s U.S. recorded music operations.

Bronfman informed employees Friday via e-mail that Ames had left the company.

A Warner Music spokesman declined to elaborate.

A Time Warner spokeswoman confirmed that Ames was already working for the company as a consultant but declined to release details about the former music executive’s consulting work.

Time Warner sold its recorded music and its music publishing business but retains an option to buy back as much as a 15% stake in the group through 2007.