Columbia Artists has undertaken the largest corporate restructuring in its 88-year history. It has also named veteran artist manager R Douglas Sheldon – who has represented many of the world’s most famous orchestras – as its board chair.
The company is now split into four business groups: Classical Music, Performing Arts Touring and Events, Opera Vocal and Theatricals. This replaces its former multidisciplinary model, which saw different parts of the company competing against one another.
A Columbia Artists press release reads: “This new internal structure merges the iconic firm’s founding principles of creativity, innovation, integrity, and passion for excellence with its new team-oriented and collaboration-first business practices.”
Classical Music will be led Sheldon and senior vice president Stefana Atlas. It comprises the artist managers who focus on career management for musicians, conductors, music directors and orchestras. New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden, London Symphony Orchestra, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Valery Gergiev are among its clients.
Performing Arts Touring and Events, led by Columbia’s president and CEO Tim Fox, will oversee performing arts attractions and projects that head out on both national and internationals tours – including classical music-rock music hybrids, Disney productions and other musicals.
Opera Vocal is overseen be three vice presidents – Michael Benchetrit, Damon Bristo and William Guerri – and will support top operatic talent. Finally, Theatricals supports Broadway and Off-Broadway shows for the North American market.