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It’s time to drop the needle on another Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s been a fair share of news this week, so let’s get cracking.
Sony Music Entertainment named Kevin Foo as managing director for Southeast Asia, overseeing operations in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, effective immediately. Based in Singapore, Foo will lead efforts to expand SME’s presence in these rapidly growing music markets, focusing on artist development and audience engagement. He will report to Shridhar Subramaniam, president of Asia and Middle East, and manage a squad including general managers and a vp of international marketing for Southeast Asia. Foo brings a strong track record, having previously served as MD of RCA Records Greater China and GM of SME Taiwan. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he led a cross-border collaboration supporting Taiwanese artist Eric Chou’s charity initiative. Prior to joining the Sony family in 2022, Foo co-founded Umami Records, ran Beep Studios, managed artists through Foundation Music, and did some consulting for UMG. His appointment signals SME’s commitment to growth of local genres like P-pop and T-pop. “Kevin has a unique ability to connect artists, markets, and audiences in ways that drive both commercial and cultural impact,” said Subramaniam. “His deep understanding of the region, coupled with his passion for artist development, makes him an ideal leader to shape the next phase of our Southeast Asia strategy.”
Island Records elevated Matt Palazzolo from vp to senior vp and head of analytics at the UMG imprint. Based in New York, he’ll report directly to co-chairmen and CEOs Imran Majid and Justin Eshak. In his new role, Palazzolo will continue to enhance the label’s data capabilities and provide action-oriented insights to the organization, management partners and artists. Since joining Island in 2022 after a lengthy stint at Sony Music Publishing, Palazzolo and his team have excelled in using insights to support artist development. Eshak praised Palazzolo as “key to our culture of learning” at the label, adding, “he also has a real understanding of music and culture that’s indispensable to the delicate process of combining art and analytics.” Majid emphasized Palazzolo’s skill in integrating analytics into the label’s “DNA… He has an incredible ability to attune to what each department is doing and add value by way of his intensive and comprehensive research.”
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Big Machine Label Group hired Chris Koon as executive vice president of finance. Koon will report directly to BMLG president Andrew Kautz and HYBE America CFO Eric Holden. Koon has over three decades of financial experience across recorded music, distribution and publishing operations, holding financial leadership positions at Universal Music Group/Capitol CMG, managing business acquisitions and integrations. –Jessica Nicholson
Marc Eckō
Complex founder Marc Eckō is returning as chief creative and innovation officer, overseeing creative strategy and integrating technologies like artificial intelligence to boost audience engagement. Eckō founded Complex magazine in 2002, transforming how youth culture and streetwear are covered in media. Before Complex, he pioneered Eckō UNLTD., blending music and design. Complex, acquired by NTWRK in 2024 with strategic investment from UMG, Jimmy Iovine, Goldman Sachs and Main Street advisors, has expanded into e-commerce, revived its print magazine, and globally expanded ComplexCon. Additionally, Ray Elias joined as chief marketing officer, leading brand, growth and communications. Elias, with over 25 years of experience, has held pivotal roles at high-growth startups and market-leading brands, including CMO at HotelTonight and StubHub, driving significant business growth and industry disruption.
Smith Entertainment Law Group (SELG), known for its expertise in production counsel for awards shows, series, films, documentaries, and live events, named Lynn Elliot, Esq. as senior counsel. Based in NYC, Elliot brings extensive experience in film, television, music, live events, and new media, having worked on projects like Precious, Alive Inside, and The Rachel Zoe Project. Her clients include producers, writers, directors, musicians, and event promoters. Previously, she served as Associate General Counsel at Dayglo Presents, handling legal matters for ventures like Brooklyn Bowl and Relix Magazine. At SELG, Elliot will lead deal structuring, risk assessment, employment transactions, and business operations support. With a background in film, TV writing, and clinical psychology, she offers a unique blend of creative and legal insight. Kerry Smith, founder and managing partner of SELG, praised Elliot’s breadth of experience and noted “her passion for supporting creative visionaries will further elevate the comprehensive services we offer to our clients.”
Warner Music Nashville promoted Katherine Firsching to director of commercial partnerships and Blair Poirier to manager of commercial partnerships. Both will report to Kristen Williams, svp of radio and commercial partnerships. Firsching, who joined WMG in 2020 as an interactive marketing coordinator, later became manager of video strategy. Poirier joined WMG in 2022 as commercial partnerships coordinator after working at Pierce Public Relations. Williams praised Firsching’s ability to build relationships with partners and artists, highlighting her “driving spirit to learn and win,” while commending Poirier’s skills in DSP account management and her ability to manage workloads “while also building fantastic relationships with our premiere DSP accounts.” They can be reached at katherine.firsching@wmg.com and/or blair.poirier@wmg.com.
Berklee appointed Edward J. Lewis III as senior vp of institutional advancement, effective May 15, a role in which he’ll work with Berklee’s top leadership to drive global fundraising and engagement initiatives. Lewis brings over 20 years of experience in higher education and the performing arts, with expertise in fundraising and strategic planning. Previously, Lewis was president and CEO of the Caramoor Center for music and the arts, where he launched its first major gifts program and advanced diversity and inclusion efforts. As vice chancellor for advancement at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, he led a $75 million fundraising campaign and doubled the school’s endowment. A professional violist, Lewis also held development roles at the University of Maryland. “[Lewis’] extensive leadership and fundraising expertise, coupled with his community-focused approach, will help us realize our ambitious institutional advancement priorities across our campuses,” said president Jim Lucchese.
5B Artist Management announced internal promotions and the launch of its new creative and marketing agency, Pink Motel. Brad Fuhrman has been promoted to senior vp, managing artists like Lamb of God, BABYMETAL and Stone Sour. Lindsey Medina joins as senior manager of business development, bringing experience from Danny Wimmer Presents and Live Nation. In the UK, Adam Foster has been promoted to general manager, working with acts such as Behemoth and Slaughter to Prevail. Pink Motel, led by Stephen Reeder and Audrey Flynn, will focus on music marketing, brand campaigns and digital strategy. The agency already partners with top clients including Sony, BMG and Live Nation, while Reeder and Flynn continue their roles at 5B.
Jay Ahmed has been promoted to head of promotions at London-based promo agency Your Army, where he’ll lead the DJ, UK Radio, international radio and third party playlist departments. Having joined the company seven years ago as a national radio plugger, Ahmed has played a key role in successful campaigns for artists like BICEP, Barry Can’t Swim, Sub Focus, A Little Sound, salute, LF SYSTEM and KILIMANJARO. In his new position, he will oversee all promotional operations, develop global strategies and strengthen ties with media, artist management and label partners. Ahmed expressed gratitude for the opportunity and praised the Your Army team and artist roster, stating his excitement for what lies ahead in his expanded role.
ICYMI:
Armin Zerza
EMPIRE Publishing appointed producer !llmind as senior vp of A&R. Additionally, Al “Butter” McLean was elevated to executive vp of global creative, continuing to co-lead EP with Vinny Kumar … Opry Entertainment Group named Tim Jorgensen as vp of operations for its Austin team, overseeing ACL Live, 3TEN and W Austin … Warner Music Group hired Armin Zerza as evp and chief financial officer, effective May 5, bringing extensive leadership experience from his previous role as CFO of Activision Blizzard. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Orchard Veteran Breaks Out on His Own
Teasing “exclusive releases, immersive experiences, engaging discussions and insane performances,” Travis Scott is quadrupling down on his role as artistic director of the forthcoming ComplexCon Las Vegas on Nov. 16 and 17. He will create CactusCon at the inaugural Vegas iteration of ComplexCon, the festival and exhibition dedicated to “convergence culture” at the intersection of style, music, art and food.
Scott and Cactus Jack, his creative collective and record label, will produce 10 exclusive collaborations for ComplexCon, design exclusive merch only sold on site and curate an entire area of the show floor called CactusCon, with hand-selected brands. CactusCon will infuse Scott’s vision and Cactus Jack iconography into sensory touch points and “Easter eggs” throughout the two-day event. Scott will also headline the festival and exhibition on Sunday evening with a performance at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Scott performed at ComplexCon’s Long Beach launch in 2016. Since then, the weekender celebrating the convergence of style, sneakers, pop culture, music, art, food, innovation and the creative minds shaping those trends has traversed the globe with conventions in Chicago (2019) and Hong Kong (2024). Relocating to Vegas promises a two-day gathering four times the size of Long Beach’s, spanning more than 1 million square feet of brands, drops, activations and experiences and with 60,000 anticipated attendees.
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“Travis Scott helped inaugurate the first ComplexCon, and we are excited to welcome him back with an expanded role and as the Sunday night headliner. Travis Scott defines this generation of Complex fans, and we are excited to be working with him in our new home in Las Vegas,” says Complex CEO Aaron Levant.
In February, NTWRK, a live-video shopping platform and marketplace, signed an agreement to acquire Complex. Levant, who co-founded NTWRK with Jamie Iovine and Gaston Dominguez-Letelier in 2018, leads the new company. Levant originally co-created ComplexCon alongside Marc Eckō, Complex’s founder, in 2016.
ComplexCon has become known for exclusive releases from Nike and Adidas and appearances by the late Virgil Abloh, as well as Nigo, Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky and Hiroshi Fujiwara. Previous artistic directors have included Takashi Murakami, Blackpink creative director Verdy, Cactus Plant Flea Market, J Balvin and Pharrell Williams.
This year, attendees will have the opportunity to shop brands including 032C, Ambush, Asics, Awake NY, BYREDO, Cactus Plant Flea Market, Ecko Unltd., EDGLRD, Fear of God Essentials, Fox Racing, Fragment, Futura Laboratories, Glo Gang, HELLSTAR, Hidden NY, Holiday, Infinite Archives, Kids of Immigrants, Malbon Golf, Mastermind, Mitchell & Ness, Mowalola, murd333r.fm, New Era Cap, Nike, Oakley, Online Ceramics, PDF Channel, Psychworld, Rick Owens, Satoshi Nakamoto, Saucony, Sp5der, Stash, Thug Club, Undefeated, Vans, Vetements, WWE, Zippo and more.
Also returning is the ComplexCon panel and live talk lineup, which will feature cultural commentators and creatives exploring pop-culture topics. Past discussions have featured Kendrick Lamar, Kobe Bryant, Michael B. Jordan, Lil’ Kim, Issa Rae and Yoon Ambush.
Complex recently acquired the Family Style Food Festival, which will pop up for the first time at ComplexCon 2024. The festival, founded in 2019 by Ben Shenassafar and Bobby Kim of The Hundreds and Miles Canares, is also a like-minded event at the intersection of food and streetwear. It features a lineup of chefs, restaurants, brands and entertainment, serving one-of-a-kind collaborative food and merchandise.
A celebrity golf tournament at Wynn Las Vegas kicks off ComplexCon on Nov. 14. Playboi Carti and Opium will also perform on the ComplexCon Main Music stage, and Metro Boomin will kick it off on Saturday.
VIP and general admission tickets are now available at ComplexCon.com.
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Source: Complex / Complex
Complex has named Aria Hughes as its new editor-in-chief and is bringing back Noah Callahan-Bever on the staff.
It’s a mix of the old and the new at Complex, which has promoted its editorial creative director Aria Hughes to editor-in-chief. The company is also bringing back former EIC and content chief Noah Callahan-Bever. Complex is also acquiring Callahan-Bever’s media company IdeaGeneration, which was created as an entity that “seeks to understand and explain how the greatest creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs come up with, develop and operationalize the ideas that move and impact society,” according to Complex.
Hughes has been at Complex since joining as a deputy style editor in 2019, going on to oversee the entire style vertical. The University of Maryland College Park graduate and former men’s editor at the fashion industry publication WWD became the platform’s editorial director in 2022. “It’s an honor to be named the editor-in-chief at a brand that’s so important to culture,” Hughes said via the press release. “I look forward to working with Noah and the team to help Complex grow, evolve, and connect more deeply with our audience.”
As for Callahan-Bever, who returns after a six-year hiatus, the former Def Jam executive vice president expressed his gratitude in a statement: “So, to be afforded the chance, thanks to CEO Aaron Levant, to revisit and reimagine my work at Complex — and to be able to do it in concert with one of the industry’s most inspiring emergent talents, Aria Hughes — while also injecting Idea Generation with the resources and infrastructure it needs to go the next level, with all of the aforementioned accomplices, is a professional gift for which the depths of my gratitude know no bounds.”
The two moves are the latest to be initiated by Complex since its acquisition by the Ntwrk media group from BuzzFeed in February in an all-cash deal of $106.8 million. The initial buy of Complex Networks (which included the First We Feast brand responsible for the popular online show “Hot Ones”) in 2021 cost BuzzFeed $294 million.
Livestream shopping platform NTWRK is acquiring streetwear, music and sports-centric media company Complex Networks. The deal will create a new entity that the two companies claim will be “a new destination for ‘superfan’ culture” and bring an e-commerce marketplace into the former media brand’s ecosystem.
The news was announced Wednesday (Feb. 21), with investment from Main Street Advisors, Universal Music Group, Goldman Sachs and Interscope Records founder Jimmy Iovine. UMG will also come on board as a strategic partner and current Interscope chairman/CEO John Janick will join the company’s board.
NTWRK is acquiring Complex from Buzzfeed, which purchased the streetwear-focused media company in 2021 for $300 million. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though The New York Times reported last October that a deal worth $140 million was close; subsequent reporting in December put the price at slightly more than $100 million. NTWRK co-founder/CEO Aaron Levant — who initially created NTWRK alongside Jamie Iovine and Gaston Dominguez-Letelier, and co-founded ComplexCon with Complex founder Marc Ecko in 2016 — will become CEO of the new company.
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“Complex has been a beacon of culture and innovation for over two decades,” Levant said in a statement. “My journey with Complex began as an admirer of their original magazine in 2002 and it has now come full circle as I step into the leadership role. Alongside this impressive team, we will create the definitive global content, commerce and experiential platform of convergence culture.”
NTWRK has previously worked with several UMG artists, including Billie Eilish, Post Malone and BLACKPINK, the latter of whom worked with Takashi Murakami for Interscope’s 30th anniversary vinyl collection. UMG’s involvement, however, is not an exclusive one, and the new platform will remain open to artists of any label, major or independent.
“This partnership will give our artists access to a dynamic network to deepen connections with superfans through unique collaborations and cultural moments,” said Janick in a statement. “We share a collective vision on how D2C, experiential, brand partnerships and content are mutually reinforcing cornerstones of the fan experience. We will continue to sign and elevate new generations of great talent and we believe that we can best serve these artists through a holistic set of capabilities.”
The focus on the superfan is one that is a priority for UMG this year, with UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge writing in his New Year’s memo to staff that “the next focus of our strategy will be to grow the pie for all artists, by strengthening the artist-fan relationship through superfan experiences and products,” which he called part of “the blueprint for the labels of the future.”
The new company also comes amid a lot of changes in both the music and media spaces. UMG announced a huge label restructuring earlier this year, with Janick taking on oversight of Capitol Music Group and other labels, as the music major approaches looming layoffs. At the same time, Buzzfeed is believed to be selling Complex for much less than half of what it acquired it for just three years ago, amid a wider run of layoffs and closings of media outlets across the industry. Warner Music Group, which last year laid off 600 people, also announced that it would be selling some of its owned media properties, such as HipHopDX and Uproxx.
“Aaron Levant, along with Jamie Iovine and Gaston Dominguez-Letelier, are building an incredible platform and this acquisition will exponentially accelerate its growth,” Jimmy Iovine said in a statement. “Combining the power and reach of Complex with the NTWRK engine serving creators across music, fashion and art will be transformative for the next generation of consumer technology.”
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A list of the top media figures in the Hip-Hop world was released, with Joe Budden being named number one—leading some on social media to applaud and others to question how that was possible.The power ranking of the top media personalities in Hip-Hop was released by Complex Media on Monday (April 3), with twenty-five notable figures on podcasting and radio being recognized. The host of The Joe Budden Podcast nabbed the top spot, edging out his former Everyday Struggle co-host DJ Akademiks. Budden’s pick as number one by his former platform surprised some but also delighted many other fans, given how he and Complex parted ways under stormy conditions after he spoke out about being undervalued by the media group. And there were also those who openly wondered how such a list could be created without bias and with some questionable placements (i.e. Sway Calloway coming in at 23rd on the 25-person list).
Before unveiling the list, the staff detailed their criteria for putting the list together which had them focus on individuals rather than shows or platforms. In an apparent nod to those who might complain about the placement of certain figures above others especially if veteran personalities were lower on the list, the staff stated: “We engineered the list to be a ranking of the right now—which means that current relevance and influence supersedes legacy and longevity.” They also addressed potential questions about including those who have been hit with allegations of abuse and misconduct by stating, “We ranked the personalities strictly based on their content, not their character.”
Responses to the Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking were predictably all over the place, as some praised Joe Budden for attaining the top position. Others trashed the list for various reasons. We highlighted some more notable reactions in the gallery.
1. ImeWrites
Nigerian journalist ImeWrites weighed in with perspective. “I am disappointed at the ranking for Sway. However, Sway is an actual journalist, while this list is for media personalities,” they wrote.
2. DeronIsDope
This Twitter user offered a sarcastic jab at Budden’s placement at the top, while voicing that it was “egregious” that Sway came in at 23rd on the list.
3. Lauren
A viral video clip summed up this Twitter user’s response to Budden getting the top spot.
4. CRU137
“What does Joe Budden do other than hate on people for clout?”, they asked.
5. Nicholas Price Sr
“This list don’t make no sense. @RealSway is not number one with the impact that he has on hip-hop media?”, they asked.
6. Lloyd Banks
The G-Unit artist sent out his salute to Joe upon hearing the news.
7. Preston Taylor
“I must be missing something. The word power is definitely being thrown around nowadays for no rhyme or reason,” Preston Taylor wrote.
8. TheFuture8606
This user offered up praise for Budden’s ranking and his reformatting of his current podcast for success.
9. Joshua
Joshua called out the list for placing Narduwar towards the bottom. “Nardwuar should not be so low this is actual blasphemous writing y’all should be ashamed,” they wrote.
10. Joezzy_ACH
This Twitter user who goes by the handle “Wins and Losses” gave “The Pod Father” his due.
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