Russ Bach Named President, Worldwide, Walt Disney Records

Business Wire, March 9, 1999

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 9, 1999--Russ Bach has been named to the position of president of Walt Disney Records Worldwide, it was announced by Bob Cavallo, chairman, Buena Vista Music Group.

Bach will be based in Walt Disney Records' Burbank offices and reports to Cavallo and Buena Vista Music Group President, David Berman.

In the newly created position, Bach will oversee the day-to-day operations of Walt Disney Records on a worldwide basis.

Commenting on the appointment, Cavallo said: "I am extremely pleased to have Russ on board. I'm confident that Russ' extensive experience in the industry and his outstanding leadership will take Walt Disney Records to even greater heights."

Bach added: "I am excited to be joining Walt Disney Records in this new capacity and am confident that we can fulfill the worldwide vision for the label. I am looking forward to a very exciting future for Walt Disney Records."

Bach was formerly president of EMI Music Distribution from 1989 to 1997. Since that time, he has acted as a consultant in the music business to the Buena Vista Music Group, Time/Life Records, Rhino Records, Tower Records/Bayside, NorthSound Music, and served on the board of directors of Alliance Entertainment.

Bach was with WEA from 1973 to 1989, rising from branch manager to executive vice president. He entered the record business in 1960, working for an independent distribution company, then went to Liberty Records in 1965, where he rose to the position of vice president, Mass Merchandising & Independent Distribution.

Born and raised in Chicago, Bach attended De Paul University, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music.

In 1978, Bach earned his MBA from Pepperdine, and sits on the board of visitors of the Graziado School of Business & Management at Pepperdine. Bach has been named an Outstanding Alumni by both De Paul and Pepperdine Universities.

As the leader in family audio entertainment, Walt Disney Records consistently dominates Billboard Magazines "Top Kid Audio Chart," and has earned more than 200 gold, platinum and multiplatinum awards from the R.I.A.A. for albums including "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," and the top-selling album of 1994, "The Lion King" (now certified at 10 million units).

In 1998, Walt Disney Records became part of The Buena Vista Music Group, which also includes Hollywood Records, Mammoth Records, Lyric Street Records and Disney Music Publishing. The Buena Vista Music Group is a division of Walt Disney Pictures and Television, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co.