WME Names Former Microsoft Exec. As CFO

LOS ANGLES (VIP NEWS) — On the heels of its $2.4 billion acquisition of IMG, WME has hired former Microsoft CFO Peter Klein as its new finance chief.

Peter Klein will be the CFO of the merged WME and IMG, as well.

The appointment is effective immediately and when the WME merger with IMG is completed, Klein will be the CFO of the combined entity as well.

Klein was with Microsoft for 11 years, becoming CFO in 2009. He announced in April he was leaving the software giant in order to spend more time with his family. At that time, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer praised him for his ability to control costs and for his involvement in the acquisition of Skype, which Microsoft purchased from Silver Lake Partners, a WME stakeholder.

The New York Times first reported Klein`s appointment at WME. The newspaper said Silver Lake executives were the ones who first thought of bringing Klein to WME.

"Peter`s impressive track record and international experience will be a tremendous asset as we begin a new and exciting chapter in our company`s history," WME co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell said in a joint statement Monday. "Peter`s proven ability to structure and manage teams on a global scale, and bring rigor and organizational effectiveness to businesses large and small, will help to strengthen both WME and IMG."
— According to Billboard