The Sony Music company has announced a major change in the management of its divisions in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba, who was the CEO of Sony Music GSA, is to leave his position at the end of August 2024. This marks the end of a long period of time that he has been with this giant company. It is under his leadership that the music industry has experienced transformations especially during the era of streaming platforms like Spotify. In order for Christoph Behm to take over as CEO on September 1st, 2024, Mushatsi-Kareba will step down, ushering in a new era.
| Outgoing CEO | Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba |
| Departure Date | End of August 2024 |
| Incoming CEO | Christoph Behm |
| Start Date as CEO | September 1, 2024 |
| Years with Sony Music | 13 years (since 2011) |
| Previous Role | Senior Vice President of the Commercial Division for Sony Music GSA |
| Key Contributions | Head of Streaming, Oversight of Family Entertainment, Catalog, Sales, Streaming Teams |
| Focus During Tenure | Navigating the Streaming Era, especially with Spotify as a dominant platform |
| Strategic Reporting Line | Reports to Daniel Lieberberg, President of Sony Music Continental Europe and Africa |
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Key Strategic Focus Moving Forward | Focus Moving Forward, Adapting to the Future of Music, and Strong Partnerships with DSPs like Spotify |
Christoph Behm’s Rise to CEO in the Spotify Era
Sony Music GSA team member, Christoph Behm has been with the company for 13 years and is now promoted to the position of CEO. In 2011, Behm began his career at Sony Music as a digital sales manager during a time when music streaming services like Spotify were quickly changing the music industry. Behm climbed up the corporate ladder very fast and in 2016 he was appointed as Head of Streaming for GSA region. This way, he played a key role in enabling Sony Music’s promotion of various artists’ lists and catalog on multiple online platforms including Spotify thereby aiding it to sail through the streaming epoch.
Behm served Sony Music GSA as SVP Commercial Division most recently. As such, this leadership role entailed overseeing Family Entertainment business, Catalogue division and sales plus streaming teams further solidifying his place as an imaginative strategist who is especially good at maneuvering through these challenges that have arisen from Spotify led era of streaming.
Sony Music’s Strategic direction under Behm’s leadership with a focus on Spotify.
Behm will continue to be based in Berlin, reporting directly to Daniel Lieberberg, President of Sony Music Continental Europe and Africa as he oversees the strategic direction and operations of the GSA region. “He has played an important role in building and expanding our business across this region during the streaming era,” noted Lieberberg. “Christoph also knows all of our DSPs very well, especially Spotify, which he has led for almost ten years.” He is therefore expected to be an effective agent of change going forward. Christoph made a huge impact on Spotify business model apart from how Spotify pay musicians per stream.
“I have always had a great love for this company and it gives me immense joy that I am now leading it after serving in various capacities over so many years. More so, with the great team at Sony Music GSA, we shall endeavor to bring out the best in our artists daily especially where Spotify is concerned” said Behm when asked about his new role.
This handover marks such a thrilling period for Sony music GSA because it keeps supporting its musicians as well as growing its influence within global music industry while managing through all the Spotify centricities involved.
