M-GO’s John Batter tapped as new Gracenote CEO

US music, video and audio metadata company Gracenote has hired M-GO CEO John Batter as its new Chief Executive.

The appointment follows a decision by Gracenote’s parent company Sony Corporation America to sell the business to media conglomerate Tribune last December. The deal closed in February.

Batter takes over from Tribune Digital President and interim Gracenote CEO Shashi Seth, who was brought in after former Gracenote President Stephen White exited earlier this year. Techcrunch has revealed Seth has decided to step down.

“Shashi Seth has decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities,” said Tribune Media CEO Peter Liguori in a statement sent to Techcrunch. “He contributed enormously to the integration of Gracenote and Tribune and the launch of Newsbeat. We appreciate all that Shashi has done for the company and wish him well in the future.

Batter will begin his role as CEO on September 2 and report to Liguori.