BMG loses two top executives

Tom McIntyre, BMG's executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Kevin Conroy, chief marketing officer and president at BMG's New Technology, resigned "to pursue new interests," according to Nathaniel Brown, a spokesman for BMG Entertainment.

The announcement follows other recent changes in the management ranks at BMG Entertainment as the company cements an alliance with Napster, the controversial online file-swapping service accused by record industry executives of facilitating rampant music piracy.

On Friday, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, a former TV and magazine journalist, was appointed chief executive, filling the position left vacant by BMG veteran Rudi Glassner, who died of a heart attack Dec. 23. Glassner was to replace former BMG CEO Strauss Zelnick, who stepped down in November after BMG parent Bertelsmann brokered a deal with Napster to develop a new subscription-based service.

McIntyre, who joined BMG when it was created nearly 14 years ago, has held several high-level positions in finance and operations, including roles as senior vice president and a board member. During his tenure as executive vice president and CFO, McIntyre oversaw BMG's worldwide financial, information system, legal and human resource operations.

He will give up his CFO responsibilities effective immediately. The company added that McIntyre's resignation would be effective at the conclusion of BMG's pending negotiations for a merger with EMI Recorded Music.

BMG said Conroy, who joined the company in 1995, oversaw its corporate marketing and new media development. He initiated its involvement in Internet-related activities and the development of new formats, including the DVD.

The company said Conroy's resignation would be effective at the end of January.

BMG, which owns more than 200 record labels, said it would name its new replacements in the near future.

Conroy and McIntyre could not be immediately reached for comment.