SEATTLE, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhapsody International today announced that Mike Davis has been appointed chief executive officer, effective immediately. Davis is the first CEO of Rhapsody International, which is the parent company to top streaming music services Rhapsody and Napster.

"The board of directors is thrilled to bring Mike's visionary thinking and industry experience to Rhapsody," said Rob Glaser and Jason Epstein, Rhapsody Board co-chairmen. "Mike is a seasoned leader with proven success navigating the complexities of the music business. His leadership and strategic vision will be essential to Rhapsody's continued growth for the next 15 years."

Davis joins Rhapsody after six months of rapid development to enhance the way subscribers listen to music with Rhapsody. In addition to a complete redesign of the mobile app, Rhapsody released key new features, including Rhapsody KIDS, the first streaming music service designed specifically for kids, and the Listener Network, which allows Rhapsody subscribers to match music tastes with other subscribers around the world. These features have already driven a major impact on how subscribers are using Rhapsody. Globally, listening hours have increased by 15 percent in the past 90 days and the number of hours subscribers listen to music with Rhapsody's mobile apps is up nearly 40 percent in the last year.

"I am thrilled to join Rhapsody at such a dynamic time for both the company and the music industry," said Mike Davis, chief executive officer, Rhapsody International. "For 15 years, Rhapsody has led innovation in streaming music and remains a best-in-class streaming music service. Thanks to the biggest and best partners in the world and a roadmap of innovative new features, we are primed for continued global growth during one of the most pivotal years in music."

Most recently, Davis served as both a TPG growth advisor and senior operating consultant for The Gores Group.  Prior to that, he held a number of C-level private equity portfolio positions across a variety of industries, including CEO of Alliance Entertainment (Platinum Equity & The Gores Group), CEO of Gavin De Becker & Associates (TPG Growth) and chief commercial officer for Cinram (The Najafi Companies). At each company, Davis built new and diverse revenue streams while strengthening the company's core business. Before his tenure as a private equity CEO, he served as executive vice president and general manager of Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), leading the content and distribution (UMGD) divisions.

"Napster changed the way we enjoy music forever and we are now seeing how subscription music - a concept Rhapsody pioneered - is emerging as the future of music," Davis said. "I look forward to building on Rhapsody's success and making it easier for people to enjoy the music they love."  

About Rhapsody International

Rhapsody International is the parent company of leading streaming music services Rhapsody and Napster. Now available in 34 countries across the U.S., Europe and Latin America, Rhapsody and Napster give members ad-free access to more than 35 million songs. Whether they're listening on their phone, at home, at work, or in the car, Rhapsody and Napster go where our members go. Our expert team of editors creates a curated music experience that makes it easy for members worldwide to gather and enjoy new original content including videos, playlists, reviews, and radio stations -- anytime and anywhere. Follow @Rhapsody on Twitter and keep up with the latest on the Rhapsody Facebook page.

About Napster

Napster is one of the world's leading premium subscription digital music services. Owned and operated by U.S.-based Rhapsody International Inc., Napster combines the iconic history of one of the most recognizable digital music brands in the world with the vast experience and technological platform of the first subscription music service, Rhapsody. Napster offers one of the world's most comprehensive online music collections and provides access to your music anywhere, via hundreds of devices. Rhapsody, Napster, and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rhapsody International Inc. For more information, visit www.napster.com.

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SOURCE Rhapsody International