BMI Names O’Neill As President, CEO

Michael O’Neill

Michael O’Neill has been named as the successor for BMI’s long-serving president and CEO Del Bryant.

O’Neill has been with BMI for 20 years, most recently as Sr. VP of repertoire and licensing. O’Neill’s appointment was a unanimous decision by BMI’s board of directors. O’Neill will begin his new role  as CEO on Sept. 16, and as president of the company in June 2014.

“I am honored that the BMI Board of Directors chose me to follow in the footsteps of two truly iconic CEOs who have led BMI for the past 28 years – Frances Preston and Del Bryant,” said O’Neill in a statement. “I am also thrilled that I will have the ability to rely on Del’s counsel over the coming year as he is an exceptional executive, leader, role model and friend.”

Bryant announced his plans to exit BMI in May of this year, saying that he was “privileged to lead this company I love, one of the world’s greatest music companies. I began my career with BMI in 1972 and after four decades with the company and 10 years as CEO, I’m excited to be moving back to my hometown of Nashville where my family and I will build a farm on beautiful land purchased by my folks with money earned from their BMI catalog. I look forward to working with the board during the transition period, and to supporting the company as a consultant after retiring as CEO.”