Johnny Tennander (pictured), has stepped up to MD of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Scandinavia, replacing Patrik Sventelius who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.
Tennander steps up from his role as Deputy Managing Director of Sony/ATV Scandinavia and Senior Vice President A&R Europe, and will oversee all operations of Sony/ATV Scandinavia, based out of its Stockholm offices.
He will directly run Sony/ATV Scandinavia’s creative department, and is also tasked with bringing A&R activities closer together with the sync department.
Tennander reports into Guy Henderson, Sony/ATV’s Executive Vice President of International.
The exec’s new role will run alongside his prior responsibilities within Sony/ATV’s pan-European A&R team, where he reports into Sony/ATV UK Managing Director and President of European Creative, Guy Moot.
“I am thrilled to be making this announcement. With Johnny’s experience and skill set he is well equipped to play this very important role, not only for Sony/ATV but for the Scandinavian industry as a whole.”
Guy Henderson, sony/atv
Said Henderson: “I am thrilled to be making this announcement. With Johnny’s experience and skill set he is well equipped to play this very important role, not only for Sony/ATV but for the Scandinavian industry as a whole.
“Backed up by a strong team and with his proven creative and A&R skills, Johnny is set to take our business in Scandinavia to its greatest heights.”
Moot added: “I’ve grown up with Johnny in this business and I’m very proud of what he has achieved.
“He’s passionate about music and he’s passionate about winning deals but, more importantly, he has a deep passion for the music publishing business in this company.
“Scandinavia is such a forward-thinking market in terms of creating and exporting music and technology and I couldn’t be happier that Sony/ATV will be led there by him.”
Tennander’s music industry career began at V2 Records before he joined EMI Music Publishing Scandinavia in 2002.
He was promoted to Head of A&R in 2006, became Vice President A&R Europe in 2009, and moved across to Sony/ATV in 2012 as Head of A&R Scandinavia and Senior Vice President A&R Europe following the acquisition of EMI.
Tennander was made Deputy Managing Director of Sony/ATV Scandinavia in early 2015.
Songwriters he’s worked closely with include Avicii, Lykke Li, Peter Bjorn and John, Lido (Halsey, Chance The Rapper, Ariana Grande) and Noonie Bao, who has written hits for Charli XCX, Carly Rae Jepsen, Avicii, and has the current MØ single.
Tennander signed Daniel Ledinsky who co-penned Tove Lo’s Habits, Astma & Rocwell (NONONO, Maroon 5) and hotly-tipped Swedish artist Elias.
More recently, he has enjoyed global success with Alan Walker’s Faded, which was co-written by writers Greve and Froen.
Discussing his new title, Tennander said: “It’s an honour and very exciting to take this step and I want to thank Marty Bandier, Guy Henderson and Guy Moot for giving me this opportunity.
“We are in a defining time in the music industry and I couldn’t be in a better team or company to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
“For me, it will always come down to the quality of the music and giving the absolute best possible service to our songwriters and artists.”
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