BMG Appoints Dan Pounder as Co-Head of BMG Productions

Picture shows (left) John Clifford and (right) Dan Pounder 

BMG has further strengthened the leadership of its fast-growing BMG Production Music (BMGPM) business unit with the appointment of Dan Pounder to head finance, operations and systems. He will jointly run BMGPM with EVP and global managing director John Clifford. 

BMG Production Music (BMGPM) is the fastest-growing provider of one-stop, pre-cleared and custom production music services to the global broadcast, film/trailer, games and advertising industries. BMGPM is a separate unit within BMG and is operational in seven countries after a rapid series of acquisitions including AXS Production Music (France) Immediate Music (US), Big Bang & Fuzz (Australia), Deep East Music (UK), Telemusic (France). Last year it combined all its operations under a new BMGPM brand identity and launched its own custom music unit, Altitude Custom. 

Dan is a 15 year veteran of Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Extreme Music where he has most recently served as EVP as well as CFO of Bleeding Fingers Music, the custom music specialist which is a joint venture between Sony/ATV and Hans Zimmer. He was responsible for all Extreme’s international offices and the division’s worldwide commercial operations. He has chaired the PRS/MCPS Production Music Advisory Group and served as a member of the PRS Licensing Committee. 

Dan will jointly report to BMG COO Ben Katovsky and John Clifford, while Clifford continues to report to BMG CFO Maximilian Dressendoerfer who continues to oversee the operation. 

Said Maximillian: “I am delighted that Dan is joining BMG to run the global Production Music segment alongside John Clifford. Dan and John possess very complementary skillsets and I’m convinced that together, they will form a very powerful team.” 

Said Ben: “Our primary focus right across BMG is on delivering excellent service to our clients and creators and BMGPM is no different. Our modern operational, technology and data capabilities play a critical role in this and we continue to make significant financial investment in them. Dan’s skills and experience will be a significant boost to our ability to deliver this client promise.” 

Dan Pounder said: “I am excited to join BMG Production Music to drive the business forward as it focuses on strong organic growth, service excellence and strategic investments. The foundations have been laid to create a truly world class, industry leading company and I am looking forward to delivering future success.” 

Commenting on Dan’s appointment, John Clifford said: “I have always admired Dan’s knowledge and commercial acumen - his reputation in our business is first-class. Together I am confident we can take this business to new heights.” 

BMG Production Music is the fourth largest global player in Production Music with revenues growing 36% in 2019 and EBITDA increasing more than 40% in the same period.