Stepping back into the executive ranks of BMG, veteran music publishing executive Monti Olson has been reappointed as Executive Vice President of Publishing, North America, effective September 2025. The seasoned executive, who previously led BMG’s US music publishing operations from 2018 to 2022, returns with a mandate to accelerate new signings and catalog acquisitions across the company’s North American business.
Olson’s appointment comes at a strategic time for BMG, which reported 8.1% organic revenue growth in the 2024 financial year despite challenges in the music industry landscape. In his new role, he will report initially to Thomas Scherer, President of Global Catalog Recordings and Music Publishing, North America, before shifting to a direct reporting line to BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld.
BMG leverages Olson’s return amid impressive revenue growth to bolster North American publishing operations under evolving leadership structure.
The executive will also join BMG’s Global Strategy Committee, positioning him to influence the company’s long-term direction.
Prior to rejoining BMG, Olson served as President and founding partner of Litmus Music, a Carlyle Group-backed music rights acquisition company where he honed his expertise in catalog acquisitions and publishing growth strategies. During his time at Litmus, Olson executed over 10 high-profile deals with notable artists, demonstrating his deal-making prowess. This experience aligns perfectly with his new responsibilities, which include leading BMG’s publishing A&R and creative administration teams across Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York.
Olson’s core objectives include expanding BMG’s market share through aggressive signings of new songwriters and artists while simultaneously building and acquiring high-value music catalogs for sustainable revenue growth. His approach will integrate creative development with catalog acquisition to maximize value for both artists and the company’s publishing division.
The appointment reinforces BMG’s renewed focus on profitability and revenue diversification as part of its broader “Next” strategy for business innovation.
During his previous tenure, Olson was credited with considerably expanding BMG’s US publishing footprint through strategic partnerships and signings. His expertise in negotiating sync deals for artists should prove valuable as BMG seeks to increase revenue through music licensing for film, television, and commercial opportunities. His extensive background includes leadership roles in multiple major music publishing companies, bringing valuable industry perspective to BMG’s operations. Industry observers expect his return to catalyze further growth in BMG’s North American operations, particularly in frontline publishing activities and business development initiatives across diverse genres and markets. His digital strategy will likely include leveraging editorial playlists and streaming promotional tools to maximize exposure for BMG’s artists and songwriters.
