Music industry veteran Roger Ames, who has held top-level positions at Warner Music Group and EMI, has resurfaced as the new CEO of Ticketmaster’s international operation.

Ames, who often demonstrates his laid-back demeanor by walking shoeless around the office, will oversee Ticketmaster’s 19 international markets from London.

Ames’ insight into the regulatory landscape, particularly in Europe, will be especially helpful to Ticketmaster, which is currently enduring scrutiny on both sides of the pond over its pending merger with concert promoter Live Nation.

If approved, the deal would radically shift the balance of the power in the music industry in the combined company’s favor and away from the record labels.