Universal Music Austria boss Eder exits after 13 years – Ballin named GM

The exec who has run Universal Music Austria since 2003, Hannes Eder, is leaving the company.

The news comes around three months after the long-term Marketing and A&R Director of Universal Music Austria, Peter Draxl, left his post.

Universal has wasted no time finding a new boss for its Austrian office.

Cornelius Ballin (pictured inset) has been named as the new General Manager of Universal Music Austria, based in Vienna – moving over from his role as General Manager, Marketing & Digital at UMG in Germany.

The exit of Eder (pictured, main) arrives after a run of notable departures at UMG this year, including D2C boss Russel Coultart, Bravado CEO Tom Bennett, Universal Music France CEO Pascal Negre, South Africa MD Randall Abrahams, UMG International Director Jamie Hole, Island Def Jam sales veteran Pat Monaco and Capitol Music Group’s Dave Lombardi.

Tom Bennett has been replaced by former Sony exec Mat Vlasic, Pascal Negre by former MD of Mercury France Olivier Nusse and Randall Abrahams by former SAMRO boss Sipho Dlamini.

Cornelius Ballin will manage the Austrian region for UMG but, unlike Eder, will not also oversee activity in the Western Balkans market.

That responsibility has now been added to the remit of Adrian Cheesley, the London-based SVP of UMG.

“I thank Hannes Eder for his valuable support over the past 13 years and for his tireless efforts in the interests of our company, its labels and all our artists.”

Frank Briegmann, UMG

Hannes Eder said of his departure [translated]: “Together with my team, [I have] been able to lead Universal Music through difficult times [ie. piracy], expand market leadership and [expand] in the Balkans’ new markets, as well as implementing many innovative projects successfully.

“These varied and valuable experiences from my time at Universal Music will now [inform] my own business [endeavors]. ”

Frank Briegmann, President & CEO Central Europe Universal Music and German Grammophon, said. “I thank Hannes Eder for his valuable support over the past 13 years and for his tireless efforts in the interest of our company, the labels and all the artists.

“He has contributed  lot to the success of Universal Music in Austria and Western Balkans.”

Cornelius Ballin started his career in 2001 at Universal Music Germany, later becoming UMG’s Director of International Marketing.

Like his previous role, he will now report into UMG Germany boss Frank Briegmann.

Ballin said [translated], “I thank Frank Briegmann for his confidence. Austria is an exciting territory that offers many [opportunities]. I’m looking forward to tackling the challenges of a dynamic market and expanding our market position.”

Briegmann said he looked forward to working with Ballin in Austria, commenting that the appointment would bring “impetus” to Universal’s operation.Music Business Worldwide