A chance to take a new approach: the new chiefs of Sony BMG have the opportunity to create a company for the future.(Editorial)

It is rare in a merger scenario for the two key players to come out on top. But that certainly seems to be the case regarding the respective chairmen of Sony and BMG, Rob Stringer and Tim Bowen.

Rarely does an opportunity arise to create a new company in your own vision.

What will be all the more exciting for them both is the fact that such an opportunity has emerged at such a definitive moment in the history of the music industry. Add in the scale of the operation which will come out of this merger and you have a truly inspiring challenge.

Of course, there are tough decisions to come. But the results of the hard graft which will take place over the next few months will have an impact right across business.

The word "merger" has been bandied around for a number of years now, and Stringer (in the UK) and Bowen (on the international stage) are the executives handed the chance to make it a reality.

In playing to their respective strengths, the new roles offer a fantastic challenge to both of them.

It is a true win-win scenario, not least for Sony BMG which has ...