BMG ups Scherer, moves Writer Serves to L.A.

ICH BIN EIN ANGELENO: BMG is transferring the hub of its Writer Services division to L.A., with EVP Writer Services Thomas Scherer riding herd. Scherer, recently promoted from SVP International Repertoire Coordination, has been part of the pubco's core team since its 2008 launch. He's been overseeing Writer Services teams in 10 offices around the globe; in his new post will further provide central coordination between U.S. and European writers. The company's songwriting roster includes Will.i.am, Juicy J, Steve Mac, Al Shux and busbee, among others. He'll continue to report to CEO Hartwig Masuch, who noted that Scherer built BMG's internationally connected songplugging operation "from scratch," adding that the exec's move to L.A. "will further strengthen our ability to create opportunities for our writers in the center of the worldwide entertainment industry. This way is much less messy than rolling in with tanks." Added Scherer, who began his stint in La-La Land this month, "Contemporary songwriting is a collaborative art and BMG's collaborative philosophy and our commitment to service, fairness and transparency really seems to strike a chord with writers. I have been taking the 10 to the 405 to the 101 to the 110 to the office every morning, and I am sure that after a while this commute will no longer take three hours." (2/24a)