9/10/2013 UK — MUSIC Group announced today they have expanded the marketing department for their recently-formed Professional Products Division, with the addition of industry veterans Paul O’Farrell-Stevens and Graeme Taylor.

Joining Yamaha’s Pro-Music Division in the late 1980s as marketing manager, Graeme Taylor excelled at the development and promotion of the company’s professional-grade audio equipment and instruments in the UK. Graeme later joined Bang & Olufsen as a key member of the team that turned the business around and grew both sales and operating profits. In 2007 Graeme was appointed CMO of Meridian Audio, the UK’s premier manufacturer of DSP based high-end audio and video products. Graeme redefined the brand, improved their distribution channel and introduced new product development and marketing processes to ensure a customer-centric organisation. Together with a highly specialised R&D team, Graeme successfully launched numerous, innovative products — and worked with McLaren Automotive and Jaguar Land Rover, who now offer Meridian systems as options in their vehicles.

“I am thrilled to join MUSIC Group and support the new Professional Division,” stated Taylor. “Since I began my pro audio career in the ‘80s, I’ve had great respect for the MIDAS, KLARK TEKNIK and TURBOSOUND brands. Now, with the resources and commitment of MUSIC Group, I’m confident that the experience I gained building prestigious brands such as Bang & Olufsen and Meridian Audio can be applied to these great pro audio brands, creating the next chapter in their long and illustrious histories.”

Paul O’Farrell-Stevens’ career in the music business stretches from audio engineer at London’s prestigious CBS Recording Studios — to marketing communications, public relations and management for several highly respected pro audio brands including Beats, Monster Cable Inc., IXOS and QED. Along the way he had the pleasure of working with a veritable “Who’s Who” of international artists, such as Michael Jackson, George Michael, Bjork, The Cure, Oasis and Paul Weller, as well as legendary Beatles Producer Sir George Martin. Paul also served as head engineer at Comforts Place and free-lanced at the world-famous Abbey Road, Real World, Hit Factory and Air Recording Studios. Immediately prior to joining the MUSIC Group, Paul was marketing manager for Solid State Logic (SSL) and provided marketing, media and artist relations management for the company’s Music division — and played a key role in the developement of their new live mixing console.

“I am extremely proud to join the MUSIC Group and eager to combine my years of recording experience with my marketing skills,“ said Paul. “The years I spent as a sound engineer give me the unique perspective when it comes to the needs of MUSIC Group customers. I look forward to combining those skills to further bolster MUSIC Group’s market-leading position.”

“With the addition of Graeme and Paul, we have achieved a major milestone in the rebirth of our professional brands,” commented MUSIC Group Marketing SVP Costa Lakoumentas. “These two visionaries will prove essential as we continue to grow our world-renowned MIDAS and KLARK TEKNIK brands — and especially so as we introduce TURBOSOUND to the global marketplace.”

For more information, please visit www.music-group.com.