Executive Turntable: Blue Raincoat Founder Takes New Role; Sound Talent Hires Parent
Written by djfrosty on September 22, 2023
If it’s Friday that means another spin around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music industry.
Blue Raincoat Music co-founder Robin Millar will step down as the company’s chairman and take on a new role as creative consultant. Founded in 2014 by Millar and former Chrysalis CEO Jeremy Lascelles, Blue Raincoat Music began life as an artist management company before branching out into publishing in 2016 and, then, recorded music when it acquired Chrysalis. Reservoir purchased BRN and the entire Chrysalis catalog in 2019, but kept Millar and Lascelles on board to run day-to-day operations. In his new role, Millar will advise on creative decisions across the company’s roster and continue to oversee mixing and mastering operations across the company. He’ll also remain a director on the board and a significant shareholder across Blue Raincoat. “The simple fact is that Blue Raincoat would not be the company it is today without Robin’s involvement,” said Lascelles. “He has been an unbelievable partner, bringing relentless positivity, focus, and ambition to our plans. He has a brilliant business brain, is a fiercesome negotiator, and has been an inspiration to me and everyone within the company.”
Experienced music lawyer Lynn Gonzalez joined Granderson Des Rochers as a partner in the firm’s music practice group. Gonzalez is fresh off a decade-long tenure at Def Jam, where she rose to executive vp/head of business affairs and business development at the label. Prior to Def Jam, she worked in legal roles at Razor & Tie Entertainment and then Atlantic Records, where she also was a founding member and then president of the Black Women In Entertainment Law Foundation, providing mentorship and scholarships to women of color in entertainment law. At GDR, whose music-related clients have included J.Cole, H.E.R., J Balvin and Bernie Taupin, among many others, Gonzalez will work on matters including music publishing, licensing and intellectual property. “Joining GDR means joining a team that puts artists first – a mantra that resonates with me from my time working with labels,” Gonzalez said. “With this guiding principle in mind, together, we’ll protect their creativity and ensure they thrive in a music industry that celebrates their unique voices.”
Warner Chappell Music hired Rachel Jacobson to the role of svp, creative sync. In the newly created role Jacobson will oversee an also-new team that’s solely focused on sourcing and developing songwriters for creative opportunities in sync. “We’re reimagining our approach to the creative side of sync at Warner Chappell to better align with the rapidly evolving media and streaming landscape,” says Jacobson. –Kristin Robinson
Sound Talent Group added agent Jason Parent and his roster of bands to its ever-expanding New York office. Parent arrives after a decade at APA/IAG, where he developed acts including Meet Me @ the Altar, Cloud Nothings, Oso Oso, Grayscale and Kuckle Puck, among others — all of whom came with him. He joins Jake Zimmerman, Eric Powell and John Lashnits in the agency’s NYC outpost. STG made its debut in 2018 after Dave Shapiro, Tim Borror and Matt Andersen made for the exits — on good terms — at United Talent Agency. “When we had the chance to bring [Parent] to STG, we jumped on that opportunity,” said Anderson. “Jason is an incredible agent with an amazing roster of bands, and we’re excited to have him join the team.” STG’s current roster includes Black Veil Brides, Built to Spill, Calle 13, Dave Navarro, Eve 6, Gwar, Hanson, Ice Nine Kills, Killswitch Engage, Opeth, Saliva, Story of the Year, Vanessa Carlton, Zakk Wylde and hundreds more.
Downtown Music president Pieter van Rijn joined the board of directors of Downtown Music Holdings. Van Rijn, a regular fixture on Billboard‘s annual list of Indie Power Players, joined Downtown Music a year ago from FUGA, where he’d served as CEO since 2014. He joins Downtown’s existing board of directors, including independent directors Alison Moore and Kelli Turner, who joined in January 2022. “When we first set out to transform Downtown Music, our B2B division, into a fully integrated suite of business service offerings, we were fortunate to have such a strong executive in our organization who could help us execute on that vision,” said Andrew Bergman, CEO of Downtown Music Holdings. “The addition of Pieter to our board further demonstrates Downtown’s commitment and mission to empower creators and the businesses that serve them.”
Did someone say FUGA? The Downtown-owned distributor continues its expansion into Germany, Switzerland and Austria with the appointment of Desiree Vach as general manager of the Deutsch-speaking triad. In her new role, Vach will lead FUGA’s business development, service offering and brand presence in the region, as well as oversee the Berlin office. She reports directly to Liz Northeast, the svp of Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Vach joins FUGA following a nine-year tenure at Ingrooves Music Group, where she oversaw operations in the GSA region.
Change is afoot at German indie distributor Zebralution, with company co-founder Kurt Thielen announcing he’ll step down at the end of the year. Two industry veterans will fill Thielen’s considerable shoes: Konrad von Löhneysen, founder of the Embassy of Music label, will join as co-CEO in October 2023, while current Zebralution COO Tina Jürgens will also be promoted to co-CEO, effective in January. The shakeup portends the company’s international growth ambitions, and follows the expansion into North America earlier this year — led by co-founder Sascha Lazimbat as U.S. director and president. Founded in 2004, Zebralution currently has a portfolio of more than 3,500 labels and audio book publishers from all over the world. “I look back on 38 exciting years as CEO,” says Thielen. “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved with Zebralution as pioneers in the industry. I can’t think of a more opportune moment for this change in responsibility.
Kygo‘s Palm Tree Crew hired Karan Ram as president of its festivals and events unit. Ram arrives from touring festival specialists Breakaway, where as president he more than doubled the company’s events held in 2023. Prior to Breakaway, he founded Moment Entertainment, a producer of concerts and events on college campuses that was later acquired by Pollen. “We’re excited to welcome Karan to Palm Tree Crew and to have him bring his expertise and passion to our team,” said Myles Shear, co-founder of Palm Tree Crew. “As the President of Palm Tree Crew Festivals and Events, he will play a pivotal role in scaling our brand to even greater global heights.”
ICYMI: Warner Music hired 30-year Disney veteran Bryan Castellans as the label group’s next executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Oct. 16 … Monica Damashek has been named head of label partnerships of North America for Spotify. She succeeds Vic Trubowitch, who has moved to the music product strategy … Warner Chappell Music locked down Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall, CEO and COO, respectively, until late March of 2028 … and Jann Wenner was swiftly excised from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation board of directors after making inflammatory remarks about Black and women artists.
Melissa Maskan joined boutique indie publisher OTM as head of North America and svp of creative. Based in L.A. and reporting directly to OTM founder Alex Sheridan, Maskan will manage the org’s U.S. efforts, namely sync and A&R. She joins after six years as evp of A&R at Third Side Music, where she helped to develop all-cappers SOFI TUKKER and ODESZA, among others. Supporting Maskan at OTM will be Rob Hunt (head of A&R) and Emily Keating (svp of sync). “[Maskan] heading up our US business will add immeasurable value to our offering there and now provides OTM with a platform for further growth,” said Sheridan.
Production music company FreshTracks Music added three new executives to its recently launched UK division. Tayo Kazzim joins as head of sales after stints at PRS for Music, Imagem and Extreme Music; Josie Kiely is the new senior client account manager, following roles at Warner Chappell and PPL; and Charley Dunlop serves as client account manager, having previously worked at Sky, KPM/EMI and BAM.
ESMAA, the Gulf-based music rights organization, appointed Saqer Al Qassimi as head of business development and government relations. The Emirati national is tasked with growing membership and supporting the org’s licensing efforts throughout the UAE and Gulf region. ESMAA claims to be the only music organization of its kind in the Gulf — in that it works with international entities whose disciplines focus on either performing, mechanical and/or neighbouring rights in order to find solutions to simplify music licensing in the region.