IFPI announced that Frances Moore is to succeed John Kennedy as its Chief Executive Officer. She will take up her new position at IFPI’s London-based headquarters in July.

For more information visit: www.ifpi.org

Unedited press release follows:

Frances Moore to be new CEO of IFPI

24th June 2010

IFPI announced today that Frances Moore is to succeed John Kennedy as its Chief Executive Officer. She will take up her new position at IFPI’s London-based headquarters in July.

Frances Moore is currently Executive Vice President of IFPI and Regional Director, Europe. In this capacity she has headed IFPI’s European Regional Office in Brussels, leading the music industry’s representation to the European Union and coordinating strategy with national groups across the 27-member EU.

A barrister by training, Moore has worked for more than 20 years in government relations and public affairs, representing European and US companies in the electronics and retail sector before joining IFPI in 1994. She has directed the recording industry’s activities in Europe on major policy, trade and legislative issues over the last 15 years, working with the EU institutions and governments across Europe.

IFPI company members today warmly welcomed Moore’s new appointment.

Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, said: “At a time of huge opportunities and challenges for our business, I am absolutely delighted that Frances Moore will be leading our industry’s international representation at IFPI. Her experience, strategic sense and leadership skills make her the obvious choice to take on this vital global role.”

Edgar Bronfman Jr., Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, said: “Frances has proved to be a great asset to our industry in Europe for 15 years so I am extremely pleased that she has accepted the opportunity to become CEO of IFPI. We look forward to working closely with her and her global team on some of our most important priorities.”

Max Hole, COO of Universal Music Group International, said: “Frances is the ideal person to become the international head of IFPI. She is a brilliant advocate, strategist and team leader. Anyone who has worked with her also knows the huge respect Frances commands within the music sector, among governments and further afield.”

Roger Faxon, Group Chief Executive of EMI, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Frances to her new global role as the head of IFPI. Her longstanding experience in working with governments on behalf of the music industry make her impressively qualified for the job. We at EMI look forward very much to working with her.”

Filippo Sugar, President of Sugar Music SpA, the Italian independent music and publishing company, said: “I’m very pleased to see Frances Moore taking the lead at IFPI. This is a critical moment for everyone in the music sector internationally and across other creative industries. Frances’ exceptional international experience and her commitment to cooperation across the music sector, including majors and indies, make her perfect for this role.”

Mike Batt, performer, songwriter and Chairman of the independent label Dramatico, said: “IFPI is the voice of the independent and major music companies to governments worldwide, and I’m delighted that Frances Moore will be at its helm, coordinating all our efforts worldwide. I’ve worked closely with Frances for many years. She is a great fighter and a great ambassador for our sector, and I know her to be fantastically qualified for the job.”

Frances Moore said: “I have worked for the music industry for over 15 years, a time during which it has undergone huge changes but it has never been passive or complacent. I have seen the business transform itself, constantly producing new ideas and models to drive itself forward. That is why, even in these most challenging times, I find this industry inspiring to work for, and why I relish the opportunity to play my part in taking it forward into the next stage of its evolution. I would like to thank John Kennedy for the excellent job he has done for the international recording industry over many years, and I wish him all the very best in his new endeavours.”

Biography of Frances Moore

Frances Moore has worked in government and public affairs for more than two decades, and over the last 15 years has been the chief representative of the recording industry in the European Union. She has been based in Brussels, representing the industry to the EU Institutions as well as coordinating strategies of IFPI’s national groups across the 27 Member States of the EU and beyond.

Frances took her first Masters Degree in French and Italian Literature before studying Law at the Inns of Court in London and was called to the Bar, Lincoln’s Inn, in 1981.

Frances has worked in Brussels for over 20 years, first as the voice of the retail and wholesale trade before joining the US company Texas Instruments where she worked with both the US and EU administrations. She joined IFPI in 1994.

Moore, who is currently IFPI’s Executive Vice-President and Regional Director, Europe, will move from Brussels to London to take up her new position as Chief Executive Officer.