Executive Turntable: Keychange U.S. Turns Up Expansion Efforts; New Leadership at Kakao and Vibe
Written by djfrosty on December 15, 2023
If it’s Friday, you know it’s high time for another spin around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Keychange U.S., a non-profit organization championing gender equity and inclusion across music, added four new members to its board of directors: Andreea Gleeson (TuneCore), Christine Osazuwa (Measure of Music, Shoobs), Jessica Sobhraj (Cosynd), and Matthew Yazge (Whitman Insight Strategies). Additionally, Keychange U.S. hired YouTube and Reddit veteran Maria Gironas as its new general manager, working closely with the board on its stateside initiatives. Founded in 2017, Keychange focuses on empowering women and gender minority artists and industry pros. The organization’s goal is to reshape the music industry to make it more inclusive. Keychange’s Gender Equality Pledge has been signed by more than 650 global music organizations. The U.S. expansion of Keychange was launched in June 2022 with funding from TuneCore and its Paris-based parent Believe.
“After launching the gender equality study, BE THE CHANGE three years ago, it was important that we continued to support the mission of the report, namely, to see the industry move towards more equitable and diverse representation across genders. That’s what led us to Keychange,” said Gleeson. “Witnessing the impact of what Keychange has been able to achieve in Europe and the many lives it has influenced, it became apparent that we needed to bring similar efforts to the US. I’m honored to be named US Chair for the Board of Directors. Together with the rest of the illustrious board, I am excited to continue to drive impact, both globally and locally, for women and gender-expansive individuals, be they developing music creators or rising executives.”
South Korean tech conglomerate Kakao, owner of Kakao Entertainment and a majority stakeholder in K-pop company SM Entertainment, appointed Shina Chung to be its next CEO. She currently runs the company’s venture arm. When Chung officially takes over the mothership in March, she’lll be Kakao’s first female chief executive and has already signaled change is afoot at the perpetually embattled company. “I will carry out active and responsible management,” Chung said. “I will not miss this opportunity for change because Kakao does not have much time.” Her appointment arrives a month after Kakao and its former chief investment officer were indicted for stock manipulation related to its pursuit of SME earlier this year. Kakao owns the country’s dominant chat app, KakaoTalk, and subsidiary Kakao Entertainment owns Starship Entertainment, home to K-pop megastars Monsta X, as well as South Korea streaming app Melon. In August, Kakao Entertainment and SM Entertainment revealed their plans to create a North American joint venture by the end of this year.
Ming Lu was appointed to the newly created role of vice president of artist development and entertainment strategy at Universal Music Greater China. Ming Lu’s job will be to build up opportunities for the label’s Chinese-language roster and facilitate opportunities for artists across film, TV, gaming and other sectors. Ming Lu joins Universal from Warner Music, where he most recently served as a senior director. Prior to WMG, he put in five years as director of artist management at Modern Sky.Based in Beijing, Ming Lu will report directly to Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of UMGC. “With his keen insights on youth culture and strategic approach in the entertainment businesses, Ming Lu will be instrumental to drive the innovation and growth at the very heart of our business – providing the full spectrum of services and utmost opportunities for artists,” said Xu.
All in the Family: Veteran journalist Raina Kelley is VIBE‘s new editor-in-chief. Starting Jan. 2, Kelley will oversee the editorial direction and vision of the 30-year-old VIBE brand as it begins a new chapter as part of the portfolio of its sister publication Variety. She’ll work closely with Variety co-EICs Ramin Setoodeh and Cynthia Littleton, who’ll expand their remits as editorial directors of VIBE. The NYC-based journalist was most recently vp and EIC of Andscape, the ESPN vertical devoted to covering the intersection of Black culture and sports. She assumed the leadership role in May 2021 after serving as managing editor of the site (then called The Undefeated) for five years. Prior to The Undefeated, she served as deputy editor at ESPN The Magazine. Vibe joined the Penske Media portfolio — which also includes Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter — through its 2020 joint venture with MRC. “We’re thrilled to welcome Raina to the Variety family,” said Setoodeh and Littleton. “Raina brings with her an incredibly rare set of skills and experiences across politics, sports and media. She will be instrumental in maintaining VIBE’s unique voice of authority and infusing her perspective into all of our initiatives. We look forward to VIBE’s exciting evolution ahead.”
Agency Briefs: Creative Artists Agency (CAA) announced 16 promotions to agent. Those promoted include Gabrielle Fetters, Megan Glendinning, Justin Gorkowitz, Evan Greenberg, Leilani Houston, Alex Hubert, Hannah Kaiser, Ashley King, Kyle Margolis, Peppa Mignone, Max Miller, Khalil Roberts, Sarah Phillips, Cami Potter, Jack Upton, and Connie Yan to agent or executive. (Dave Brooks) … GOA Music & Speakers (Greg Oliver Agency, Inc.) has expanded and elevated its staff, with Tim Robinson joining as an artist agent, and David Richt being promoted from booking coordinator to artist agent. GOA Music currently represents Big Daddy Weave, Tasha Layton, Rhett Walker and more. (Jessica Nicholson)
Death Row Records hired UMG veteran Kat MacLean Daley as the revamped label’s first vp and head of publishing, effective immediately. No surprise, MacLean Daley reports directly to DRR owner Snoop Dogg and is based in Los Angeles. In her new role, she’ll handle day-to-day operations and focus on building on Death Row’s publishing prowess, plus expand the label’s catalog and roster. She joined UMPG in July 2017 in the business and legal affairs department, and worked her way up to director of music sampling and business development. “Kat’s already a legend in the world of clearances and publishing, and her drive and discipline was what I wanted to bring to Death Row,” said Snoop. “The talent that has been a part of Death Row for over 30 years deserves to have their songs heard, but also to be properly licensed and paid as songwriters and producers. I know that Kat is the right person to take care of our history, while also helping us write the story for the chapters to come. There’s a Kat in the Dogg house now.”
Board Shorts: The Country Music Association elected its board of directors for 2024, with new board members including Austin Neal (The Neal Agency), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Mike Harris (UMG Nashville), Jeffrey Hasson (UTA), Annie Ortmeier (Triple Tigers Records), Rachel Whitney (Spotify), Brent Daughrity (Gallagher), Deana Ivey (Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp), Michelle Tigard Kammerer (Amazon Music), Adam Weiser (AEG Presents), Stephen Parker (NIVA) and John Zarling (615 Leverage + Strategy). The board officers for 2024 will be Kella Farris, chairman (Farris Self & Moore, LLC), Jay Williams, president-elect (WME), Jennie Smythe, president (Girlilla Marketing) and Ben Vaughn, secretary/treasurer (Warner Chappell Music Nashville) … Former Stone Temple Pilots manager Steve Stewart joined the advisory board of Sonar Media, a new music, social media, and streaming mobile platform … Former AOL and Univision-ary Kevin Conroy joined the advisory board of American Weekend Entertainment, parent of Gen Z influencer network Music Daily.
ICYMI:
Warner Music Nashville appointed Stephanie Wright as senior vp of A&R … WME announced detailed departmental changes relating to A&R and bookings … Scott Hendricks (pictured) will be leaving Warner Music Nashville at the end of the month … The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) hired Nathaniel Marro as its first managing director … and Datwon Thomas was named executive producer of talent for Dick Clark Productions (DCP).
Global creative audio network Squeak E. Clean Studios named Chris Clark and Michael Gross (MG) co-managing directors of the U.S. At the same time, Hamish Macdonald will step aside as global managing director of the company, which creates soundtracks and sound designs for ads, film and TV, but he’ll continue to oversee Squeak E’s operations in Australia. Clark joined the Squeak squad in 2020 from ad giant Leo Burnett, while MJ is two years in after a tenure at someplace called “Google.” Macdonald said he is “so proud of this announcement,” adding, “It is such an incredibly exciting next stage in Squeak E’s growth and a much deserved promotion to two great leaders. Both Chris and MG have all the talent, skills and drive to handle the role of MD independently, but as they both bring insights steeped by equally impressive backgrounds from different sides of the industry, they are the dynamic duo to lead this incredibly talented team into the stratosphere.”
Radio, Radio: Partridge Family star Danny Bonaduce retired from Seattle radio this week after 12 years at classic rock station KZOK. Bonaduce, who said he’ll take it easy in Palm Springs but keep a place in his “beloved Seattle,” said recently that he has hydrocephalus, a neurological disorder caused by a buildup of fluid in cavities deep within the brain … Australian radio legend Richard Kingsmill announced his retirement after a 35-year reign as a champion of music at Triple J radio. “His dedication and passion for supporting Australian music and musicians has shaped our industry,” said APRA AMCOS in a statement. “An absolute a radio her. Big bravo.”
Warner Music Group veteran Barry Landis launched Pivot Music, a new label offering scoring and licensing services for filmmakers and music supervisors. Pivot’s general manager of operations is Ben Jones, a graduate of Belmont University’s Curb College of Music Business. “I’m excited for this new approach to the music industry,” says Jones. “The models for business are constantly changing and being at the frontlines of these shifts is crucial.”
Anastasia Brown departed Visionary Media Group (VMG), where she has been chief content strategist since 2020. Brown’s role centered on directing the creation and allocation of all digital and physical content across platforms for VMG’s music, film, television and scoring projects. Her 30-year career includes roles as a music supervisor, artist manager, music publisher, film/soundtrack/TV producer, author, TV personality, A&R/label executive and content creator at companies including Firstars Management in Nashville, Ark 21 Records, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation and Warner Nashville. She earned a Grammy nod for her role as music consultant on the 2011 Footloose remake and served as an on-air judge on the USA Network series Nashville Star from 2005 to 2007.
Experiential entertainment company Mycotoo promoted Cirque du Soleil alum Michael Wilder to director of production and hired Jessica Herrera as director of business development. Wilder has 25-plus years of experience under his belt, and recently spearheaded Mycotoo’s production for the fan activation for Netflix’s “Stranger Things: The Experience.” Herrera has 16 years of economic development experience and was previously the director of econ dev for the city of El Paso, Texas. Mycotoo CEO Seth Cover: “Their unparalleled expertise and track record of success will be undoubtedly valuable in enabling us to deliver live experiences that bridge entertainment, human connection, and inspiration to audiences worldwide.”