Executive Turntable
While headlines from California, D.C., India and Iran have dominated a chaotic news cycle this week — plus add in a restructuring at MCA and the loss of two stone cold icons — the music industry has actually had a meh few days when it comes to promotions and new hires. So without any further delay here’s the latest edition of Executive Turntable.
BMI‘s board of directors has voted to keep president and CEO Mike O’Neill on for three more years, through Dec. 31, 2029. O’Neill has been with BMI, one of the most dominate performing rights organizations (PROs) in the U.S., for the last 30 years, and since taking the helm as president and CEO, O’Neill has guided the company through some of the biggest business changes in its history. This includes its 2024 sale to New Mountain Capital, its move to for-profit status, and its partnership with Music Nation to establish a licensing infrastructure in the UAE. “I have never been more optimistic about the future of BMI, and there are only greater things ahead,” O’Neill added. “BMI’s mission to drive value for our affiliates, increase our distributions and ensure the long-term success of our family of songwriters, composers and publishers continues at full speed.”
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Wasserman elevated Shelley Pisarra to chief insights and innovation officer, reporting to COO Darrell Coetzee. Previously evp of global insights, Pisarra will now lead the company’s strategy and innovation platforms, aiming to fuel growth across sports, music and entertainment. Based in NYC, Pisarra’s new role includes expanding Wasserman’s product offerings and creating proprietary tools to drive revenue for talent, brands, and rights holders. With over 25 years of experience across sports, media, and consumer goods — including positions at PepsiCo, Novartis, Nestle and Bristol-Myers Squibb — Pisarra has played a key role in transforming Wasserman’s insights capabilities through data analytics, consumer profiling, and fan segmentation. “I’m thrilled to step into this role, as Wasserman continues to demonstrate our commitment to putting insights to work to best serve our clients, while anticipating what’s next for the fan at the intersection of sports, music, and entertainment,” said Pisarra.
NASHVILLE NOTES: FEM co-owner Leslie Fram was named governor of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter … Artist management company Make Wake Artists launched an in-house digital strategy department. The new department is led by Jess Keifer (head of digital marketing and social strategy) and Kyle Jonas (artist strategy and management coordinator). Make Wake Artists’ clients include Luke Combs, The Castellows, The Wilder Blue, Brent Cobb and Cooper Alan.
Centricity Music promoted four team members to vice president roles, highlighting the Nashville-based Christian label’s growth. Matt Ewald is now vp of A&R, Kris Love becomes vp of promotions, Joshua Wurzelbacher advances to vp of creative and Michael Pons is promoted to vp of finance. These promotions follow five earlier ones this year, with all four individuals having advanced internally since joining between 2013 and 2020. “Centricity has grown over the years in terms of artists, writers and employees,” said Caren Seidle, CEO. “This growth has led to increased responsibilities and work load of our staff. These promotions recognize the leadership these employees provide to their departments consistent with the high level of service for which Centricity is known.”
RockForce, a provider of workforce and production solutions for the live industry, opened a new office in Nashville to support regional productions. The office includes RockForce divisions The Production Collective and Collective Payroll. Jeremy Young, the company’s evp of business development, has also been named vp of operations for the new location. With nearly 30 years of experience in artist management, touring, and commercial leadership, Young began his career at SFX/Clear Channel Entertainment and has worked with artists like Maroon 5 and Gavin DeGraw. He later managed DeGraw’s career and led national sales for CAPS/Cast & Crew before joining RockForce. “RockForce is experiencing meaningful and sustainable growth, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” said Young.
RADIO, RADIO: Matt Pinfield returns as host of Flashback With Matt Pinfield on Westwood One this weekend, following a near-fatal stroke in January that left him unresponsive for over two months. After extensive rehab in Los Angeles, the former MTV VJ is set to resume hosting duties on June 14–15 on the nationally syndicated rock show. During his recovery, Leslie Fram served as interim host of Flashback. Pinfield also continues his weekday role on The Matt Pinfield Show on 88.5 The SoCal Sound in Los Angeles. Cumulus Media’s Brian Philips praised Pinfield’s recovery, calling him a “warrior.”
ICYMI:
Mike Harris
Under new boss Mike Harris, MCA Nashville laid off nearly 20 employees across multiple departments. The cuts affect several high-level execs, including vps Leigh Malleus (media marketing), Karen Naff (creative services) and Gary Keffer (strategic marketing). Senior directors Michelle Hall, Troy Scott and Leah Ducey were also let go, along with multiple directors and coordinators. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: iHeartMedia Shuffles Top Accountants
The Academy of Country Music held a round of layoffs on Thursday (June 5), with approximately one-quarter of the staff impacted, Billboard has learned.
“Coming off a successful 60th ACM Awards week and renewal with Prime Video through 2028, the Academy implemented a strategic staff realignment in an effort to support its future business and growth initiatives, resulting in the elimination of five staff positions across various departments including communications, marketing, events and community relations,” the ACM told Billboard in a statement. “We thank these individuals for their dedication and contributions to the work of the Academy.”
ACM staffers who were laid off include Alexis Bingham (coordinator, events), Lexi Cothran (senior manager, communications and strategic initiatives), Jesse Knutson (director, publicity and media relations), and Brittany Uhniat (manager, creative and content production).
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Prior to joining the ACM, Knutson joined the ACM in 2022 and previously worked in television news, including time at Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 (WTVF). Bingham served as an intern at the ACM before joining the staff full-time in 2021. Cothran joined the ACM in 2024, and previously worked for PR companies including Shore Fire Media and Sweet Talk PR. Prior to joining the ACM, Uhniat served as creative coordinator at Resin8 Music.
Nearly a month ago, on May 8, the Academy of Country Music celebrated the milestone 60th annual ACM Awards, which aired on Prime Video from the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas. Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson and Alan Jackson were among the night’s biggest winners, with Wilson taking home her second ACM entertainer of the year trophy. Meanwhile, Langley won five trophies and Jackson was feted with the inaugural ACM lifetime achievement award. The 60th anniversary ACM Awards was hosted by Reba McEntire.
Meanwhile, the ACM also recently announced that the organization and ACM Awards producer Dick Clark Productions (DCP) had cemented a deal with Prime Video for the ACM Awards to continue on Prime Video for the next three years, running through the 63rd annual ACM Awards ceremony in 2028.
No billionaires bickering here — just your regularly scheduled edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard‘s weekly roundup of promotions, hires, exits and everything in between across the music industry. Let’s get to it…
Veteran touring executive Leslie Cohea will join WME’s Nashville office in mid-July as a partner and music touring executive. She comes to the agency after 10 years at Sandbox Entertainment, where she served as global head of touring and played a key role in guiding the careers of artists including Kacey Musgraves, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Midland and Little Big Town. Before playing in the Sandbox, Cohea spent nearly a decade at AEG Live/The Messina Group, focusing on touring and concert promo and producing national tours for biggies like Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews and Eagles. Named a Billboard executive of the week in 2023, Cohea will report to WME co-heads Becky Gardenhire, Joey Lee and Jay Williams.
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iHeartMedia announced that Scott Hamilton shifted from his role as principal accounting officer to a consulting position, effective June 2. Subsequently, Michael McGuinness, the deputy CFO since 2019, was appointed as the new accounting chief. Hamilton has served in senior accounting roles at iHeartMedia since 2010 and previously held leadership positions at Avaya and PwC. McGuinness joined iHeartMedia in 2019 and brings prior experience from The Hain Celestial Group and Monster Worldwide. In its SEC filing regarding the change, iHeart emphasized that Hamilton’s transition is not due to any dispute with the company, including issues related to accounting practices or financial reporting.
Big Loud Records appointed Lauren “LT” Thomas as senior vp of radio promotion. Thomas joins Big Loud’s fellow svp of radio promo Tyler Waugh, with both execs reporting to evp of radio promotion Stacy Blythe. Thomas previously served as svp of promotion at Sony Music Nashville, where she led promotion efforts for RCA Nashville and Columbia. Prior to her role at Sony, Thomas worked for five years at Phoenix country music station KMLE-FM. –Jessica Nicholson
Melanie Johnson is PPL’s first-ever director of transformation, a role created to lead a company-wide innovation initiative aimed at expanding PPL into the global leader in neighbouring rights royalty collections. Reporting to CEO Peter Leathem, Johnson will leverage her extensive experience across publishing, labels, DSPs and tech — including roles at Audoo, Utopia Music, Facebook and Sony/EMI — to enhance royalty distribution through amped-up technology and data systems. Her appointment comes as PPL reports over $375 million in collections for 2024. Johnson also serves as vice chair of Music Minds Matter and has been a trustee for the Ivors Academy Trust. Leathem said Johnson’s “commercial thinking, paired with deep industry knowledge” will be a great asset to the UK collective management organization.
Oak View Group welcomed Donna Freislinger Huffman as svp of global procurement. Reporting to CFO Ade Patton and president of premium experiences Josh Pell, Huffman will lead initiatives to streamline procurement, boost cost efficiency across OVG’s global footprint. Her responsibilities also include advancing supplier diversity and sustainability. Huffman brings over 20 years of experience from roles at United Airlines, Vanderbilt University and Hillrom, with a “track record for transforming sourcing organizations and driving enterprise-wide value,” said Patton.
Riser House Entertainment expanded its team with three key hires at the Nashville-based label and publisher. Alex Heimerman joins as vp of streaming and strategic partnerships, bringing experience from UMG Nashville, Red Light Management and The Trenches. Hayley Irvine becomes product manager, overseeing project execution after roles at BMG/Broken Bow Records. Eliza Charette steps in as project and label relations coordinator, supporting artist campaigns and operations, with priors at Madison Square Garden and Big Loud. All three report to Riser House president Jennifer Johnson and label manager Megan Schultz. “At Riser House, we don’t just chase trends — we build legacies,” said Johnson. “As our roster grows with some of the most authentic artists in music, it’s only fitting that our team grows too.”
NASHVILLE NOTES: Marketing agency Results Global launched a new four-person digital and social media division, led by Katrina Maddox, formerly head of digital at The HQ. Joining her are Lindsey Parrish, previously a marketing manager at MV2, and Tess Schoonhoven, who served as social media manager at Venture Music. Rounding out the team is Conner McEuen, appointed as paid media manager after his role as a paid social strategist at Zero Gravity Marketing … Bobbii Jacobs launched Wildflower Entertainment Group, a multifaceted company specializing in artist management, development, brand partnerships and talent booking. Alongside it, she introduced a sister venture, Backstage Access Presents, which focuses on curating VIP fan experiences. Jacobs brings extensive experience to the new ventures, having most recently served as partner and president at Forefront Networks.
IMAGINE, a Berlin-based creative studio specializing in music-driven storytelling, opened a new office in Paris as part of its European expansion. Marie Gleiss has been appointed head of expansion, and Maxence Janvrin joins as business development manager, both bringing deep ties to the City of Lights’s cultural scene. The duo will help advance IMAGINE’s mission of building brand connections through music-first strategies. Co-founder Shai Caleb Hirschson emphasized that music has the ability to foster brand recall and drive more than just clicks. “We’re not here to slap a jingle on a logo,” he said. “We create sound-first strategies that move people, inspire loyalty, and generate long-term brand value.”
Betsie Becker is officially the executive director of Berklee NYC, following her interim leadership since September 2023. Over the past two years, she has been instrumental in growing the campus’s leadership team, enhancing academic programs, and deepening community partnerships. Her achievements include appointing Merrily James and Daniel Pembroke to key roles and strengthening collaborations with NYC Public Schools, Carnegie Hall’s B-Side program and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Becker joined Berklee in 2019 as assistant vp for global program development and co-led the institution’s COVID-19 response. Her previous leadership experience includes roles at Juilliard, Decoda and Ensemble Connect.
Top Drawer Merch, a Los Angeles-based full-service merchandise company, appointed Claudia Peña as director of live events. In this role, she will lead the creation of immersive, attendee-focused brand activations at festivals, tours, and pop-ups, merging storytelling with commerce. Peña, founder of festival beauty brand Lunautics, brings experience in luxury retail and experiential marketing. Her hire follows Top Drawer’s success with events like SLANDER and Insomniac’s Starbase Festival.
Music Corporation of America (MCA) has promoted Rob Femia to chief operating officer, adding COO to his duties as executive vp of business and legal affairs. The label group’s imprints include EMI Records Nashville, Lucille Records, Mercury Nashville and MCA Nashville, representing artists including Eric Church, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Alan […]
Sony Music has named Clio Massey and Matt D’Arduini as co-presidents of Arista Records, succeeding David Massey, who announced his retirement as president and CEO in April. The newly appointed leaders, both Arista veterans, are based in New York and will report directly to Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group.
In a statement, Stringer emphasized the “seamless transition” from Massey to Massey/D’Arduini and praised the duo’s complementary strengths and vision for the iconic label. “Clio and Matt are dynamic and forward-thinking executives who are best placed to build on the artist development they have been involved with in the first phase of the new Arista,” Stringer said. “Their skills complement each other neatly and as a partnership will lead to an exciting future for the label.”
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Massey got her start at Liberal Arts Music in 2013 and later joined Sony/ATV Music Publishing, where she worked in A&R from 2014 to 2018, signing notable songwriters such as Maggie Rogers and Geoff Warburton. She then joined Work of Art Publishing to collaborate with her father, David, and by 2020, was named general manager of WoAP as well as vice president of A&R at Arista. She’ll continue to oversee Work of Art Publishing, the company said.
“I look forward to continuing the work with the great artists and exceptional team at Arista, alongside Matt,” said Massey. “We’re excited to help shape and grow our group into its next chapter.”
D’Arduini has been a big part of Arista since its 2018 relaunch, contributing to the success of artists like Måneskin and Paul Russell, as well as playing a role in the soundtrack for The Idea of You. Prior to joining Arista, he spent 10 years at Robins Entertainment and six at Island Records, where he collaborated with David Massey on projects for artists including Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes.
“We are eager to expand on Arista’s progress and reach over the last few years, cultivating even more talent at our company,” he said. “We’re also grateful for the leadership at Sony Music who believe in this organization and will help us advance our creative core.”
With new co-presidents in place, Arista believes it is positioned to build on its momentum and drive continued growth. The label has recently broadened its global roster, signing and nurturing rising stars such as Damiano David, JP Saxe, Lola Brooke, Jonah Kagen, and Sunday (1994).
Founded by Clive Davis in 1974 and home to icons like Whitney Houston and Carlos Santana, Arista was retired in 2011 and later revived by Stringer and the David Massey in 2018 with Davis’ blessing.
GYRO Group has appointed music executive Matthew Rogers as its new chief commercial officer (CCO), marking a major leadership move for the Australian-owned digital music distribution and artist services company.
Rogers, who spent 14 years as chief operating officer at UNIFIED Music Group, brings a wealth of experience in scaling independent music businesses globally. In his new role, he will be instrumental in driving the growth of DistroDirect, GYRO Group’s hyper-local boutique distribution and catalogue management system, which now powers over 500 micro-distributors across 40 markets on six continents.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Mat to the GYRO Group family,” said CEO Andy Irvine.
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“His extensive experience in driving growth and his deep understanding of the independent music landscape will be invaluable as we embark on the next phase of development for DistroDirect and the wider group. Mat’s strategic insights, global networks and commercial acumen will be crucial in achieving our ambitious goals.”
The appointment follows a significant track record: During his time at UNIFIED, Rogers oversaw the company’s transformation from a seven-person Australian operation into a 100-person international enterprise with offices across Australia, North America and Europe. He played a key role in building the heavy music label UNFD and developing STL Tones into a major player in music software and plugins.
Rogers was also pivotal in UNIFIED’s early response to the landmark Raising Their Voices report in 2022, helping to implement progressive strategies around mental wellbeing, workplace safety and industry culture.
He has served over seven years on the board of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), as well as four years on the board of the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), including two years as vice president.
“The move marks a homecoming for Rogers, who returns to a Brisbane-based company nearly 20 years after relocating interstate,” said CMO and co-founder Vivienne Mellish. “GYRO Group is proudly headquartered in Queensland, creating global opportunities for independent artists so we’re absolutely pumped to welcome Mat back to where it all started for him. His track record speaks for itself, and we are confident that his leadership will further strengthen our commercial strategies and market presence. We are thrilled to have his expertise on board.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the dynamic team at GYRO Group at such a pivotal time,” added Rogers. “Having witnessed the company’s impressive growth and commitment to the independent music community, I am eager to contribute my experience to further develop DistroDirect and support GYRO Group’s ambitious international expansion plans. Joining a Queensland-based company after many years interstate feels like a natural and exciting next step.”
With offices across Australia, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Brazil, the Philippines and India, GYRO Group now represents several brands including GYROstream, DistroDirect, GROUP SPEED and Soothe Sounds. Independent artists using GYRO services have secured ARIA wins, Grammy nominations, No. 1 records and global chart placements. Notable names on their roster include Dom Dolla, ONEFOUR, WILLOW, The Amity Affliction, Lithe, Emma Memma and more.
It’s a better-late-than-never Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. Earlier this week, we revealed our annual list of executives driving the success of country music, and today welcomes a first-ever industry-wide Power List for our mates in the United Kingdom.
Big Machine Records promoted Rachel Burleson to senior director of streaming, recognizing her leadership and strategic impact since joining the label in 2021. In her new role, she’ll continue overseeing streaming initiatives for artists such as Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce and Midland. Burleson’s career began at Creative Nation after graduating from Belmont University, where she advanced to manager of records and management, focusing on artist development. At Big Machine, she rose from project manager to director of streaming and was named a 2024 MusicRow N.B.T. Industry Directory honoree. Executive vp and GM Kris Lamb praised Burleson’s platform relationships and influence on the label’s success since coming on board, adding, “Rachel continues to be a trusted voice in the room and a driving force behind our strategy.”
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Hallwood Media promoted Tal Meltzer to chief operating officer, based at the company’s West Hollywood headquarters. Formerly svp and head of A&R and business affairs, Meltzer will now oversee all operations and help drive expansion. Reporting to CEO Neil Jacobson, he has led the development of Hallwood’s record label, publishing and distribution divisions, and expanded its focus to include direct artist collaborations. With a background as both a producer and songwriter, Meltzer blends creative and business expertise, enabling him to scale A&R and marketing teams and boost artist development. “Tal’s deep understanding of both the creative and operational sides of our business has been instrumental to our growth,” said Neil Jacobson, CEO of Hallwood Media. “His leadership and vision will drive our continued success as we innovate in the music industry.”
Wasserman Music expanded its global hip-hop and R&B division with the addition of two new executives. Jazmyn Griffin joins as director on the global festivals team in New York, where she will focus on hip-hop and R&B festivals and help launch a new marketing arm. She brings valuable experience from roles at C3 Presents and Live Nation, where she helped develop major U.S. festivals. Tessie Lammle joins as a Los Angeles-based director and agent, representing a diverse roster of hip-hop and R&B artists. She previously spent nearly a decade at UTA, supporting artists and championing women in music. Wasserman execs praised both hires for their industry expertise and potential to “help fuel the surging growth of our Hip-Hop and R&B division.”
Pelle Eriksson, managing director of Border Music, is stepping down after over 40 years in the music industry. Starting in 1985 at Gothenburg’s FolkåRock record store, Eriksson helped transform it into Border Music Distributions AB in 1992. Under his leadership, Border grew from a local retailer into a leading Nordic indie distributor with offices in Oslo and Copenhagen. A breakthrough came in 1995 with its work to elevate The Offspring’s breakout hit “Self Esteem,” which topped the Swedish charts and helped launch Border into national prominence. Eriksson, a recent addition to Billboard‘s International Power Players list, has championed local and global acts, including First Aid Kit, Yung Lean, Nick Cave and Motorhead. He also played a key role in launching PIAS Nordic and oversaw Border’s acquisitions by Redeye in 2019 and Exceleration Music Group in 2023. His successor, Eric Andrén — Eriksson’s first hire as MD — will now lead the company. “It has been an incredible journey, and now that I am about to hand over, I remember (almost) only the fun times – all the people, the trips, the fairs, the artists, and of course – the records,” Eriksson reflected. “From the arrival of the CD to the digital boom and the vinyl revival, we’ve been there.”
Gutt Law, PLLC launched in Nashville to offer laser-focused legal services for the music and entertainment industries. Founded by Rachel Guttmann, the boutique firm combines legal expertise with industry insight to support artists, songwriters, and producers. Guttmann, a Tulane Law graduate and former partner at Taylor Guttmann, is joined by attorney Victoria Powell, a Belmont Law alumnus specializing in music publishing, and Morgan Brasfield, former Kobalt Music and NSAI executive, now head of operations. Together, they provide personalized counsel on creative rights, contracts and career strategy, guided by their client-first motto, “Go With Your Gutt.” Guttmann shared, ““I’m grateful every day to work with a team that’s as passionate about helping creatives succeed as I am.”
Frontiers Label Group appointed Tim Bailey as its new head of label for international. With nearly 20 years in the music industry, Bailey brings deep experience in both live and recorded music, a strong focus on artist development, and a record of commercial success. He began as a concert promoter in 2006, later producing major livestream events during the pandemic. At Earache Records, Bailey helped lead the label to a historic commercial peak, delivering multiple top-five albums in the UK, including a topper for Those Damn Crows. Founded in 1996 by Serafino Perugino, Frontiers has grown from an indie distributor in Italy to a major global rock label working with Megadeth, Def Leppard and more. Perugino praised Bailey’s forward-thinking leadership, asserting, “As we continue expanding our global footprint through exciting new imprints and artist partnerships, Tim’s leadership and vision will be a huge asset.”
Sara Yazdani was elevated to vp of PR and marketing partnerships at Creativ Company, where she oversees U.S. publicity for clients like 1stAveMachine, Ammolite Machine, SpecialGuestX and MOCEAN. Yazdani has worked on projects featuring Eminem, Ed Sheeran, Big Sean and OK Go, often collaborating with director Emil Nava. Previously, she was a national publicist at Biz 3, representing artists such as Chappell Roan and Ty Dolla $ign. She also held key roles at the Recording Academy, managing Grammy media operations, and at Disney Music Group, where she led campaigns for artists like Sabrina Carpenter. Beyond her agency work, she co-chairs the ThinkLA Entertainment Committee.
BeatBread, a music funding platform for artists and independent labels, announced two key hires to drive its next growth phase. Michelle Greener Goodman joins as head of sales and Zach Koche as director of sales, both based in Los Angeles. Goodman brings a background in sales strategy from Telesign and Granular, while Koche joins from FUGA with nearly 15 years of experience in business development, licensing, and artist management.
Tickets For Good, a platform offering free and discounted tickets to live events, appointed Derek DeVeaux as global chief operating officer amid major international expansion in 2025. With over 20 years in tech and operations, DeVeaux will oversee partnerships, platform delivery and daily operations, reporting to CEO Steve Rimmer. New hires include Jess Nesbitt (ticketing operations), Alex Deadman (communications), and UK-based staff Aaron Taylor, George Webb and Laura Harmer. Music partners for 2025 include Pixies, Yungblud and Robbie Williams, who, alongside Edwin van der Sar, became a TFG ambassador. The platform also launched in the Netherlands and was part of the BPI “Grow Music” accelerator.
SyncIt, a new AI-powered music discovery and licensing platform founded by Nathan Duvall, appointed producer and songwriter Patrick Patrikios as creative director. Known for his work with artists like Britney Spears and Little Mix, as well as brands including Hyundai and YouTube, UK-based Patrikios brings extensive industry experience to guide SyncIt’s creative strategy. The platform aims to propel sync licensing by using AI and intuitive search tools to connect artists with visual creators. SyncIt allows users to search for music using proprietary metadata and technology without training on user music. “In hiring Patrick, we have someone who understands the value of music and sound to a brand,” said Nathan Duvall, Founder and CEO of SyncIt. “He not only brings a wealth of experience working with brands, but a portfolio of names which further cements a solid launchpad for SyncIt.”
ICYMI:
Dean Ormston
Former Mojo Music executive Alan Wallis has launched a new music publishing company, Dynamite Songs, which already holds rights to tracks performed by major artists including Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, and Papa Roach … Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, has been elected chair of CISAC, becoming only the second Australian to hold the position in the organization’s 99-year history. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Poo Bear Board
Former Mojo Music executive Alan Wallis has launched Dynamite Songs, a new publishing venture that boasts rights to songs performed by Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar and Papa Roach, it was announced on Wednesday (May 28).
Described as a “specialist music publisher,” Dynamite Songs has acquired around 50 catalogs to date, including those of Ed Sheeran and Paolo Nutini songwriter Chris Leonard; Sly Jordan, whose songs have been performed by Lamar and Sean Kingston; Jim Sullivan of the English electronic music duo The Wideboys; Dan + Shay songwriter Danny Orton; and Papa Roach’s Anthony Esperance and Bruce Elliott-Smith.
With backing from Crestline Investors Inc., a Fort Worth, Texas-based investment manager with $16 billion in alternative credit assets under management that previously invested in Mojo, Wallis says Dynamite will focus on rights to enduring catalogs that are considered “smaller sized deals.”
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“The smaller end of the music rights market has been under-appreciated for too long,” said Wallis, who previously led the music transactions practice valuing catalogs at Ernst & Young LLP and will serve as Dynamic Songs’ CEO.
“Our experience with Mojo Music has shown that there are brilliant songwriters and catalogues to be found — you just need to know where to look. With one of the best teams and networks in the business behind us, we’re strongly placed to navigate this market segment, allowing us to support songwriters and honour their works and legacies,” Wallis said in a statement.
Started in 2018 by Wallis and two former Spirit Music Group principals, Mark Fried and Peter Shane, Mojo Music & Media grew to include some 40 catalogs and 30,000 songs before it was acquired by Concord in 2023 for an undisclosed amount. Mojo’s portfolio included portions of songs recorded by REO Speedwagon, KISS, Cheap Trick, Duran Duran and Earth Wind & Fire.
Wallis’s team includes former Mojo Music & Media executives Sophie Brown, who will serve as CFO/COO; Lisa Macy, who will serve as head of sync; and Tom Donovan, Dynamite’s head of business development. Dynamite’s investment manager is Naomi Riley, whil Peter Thomas, previously MD of Carlin Music, serves as chief catalogue officer.
Looks like another Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of Sound Talent Group (STG) owner Dave Shapiro, who was among those killed in a plane crash in San Diego early on Thursday (May 22). Two other STG employees were also killed, Billboard has learned, though they were not named in order to notify their families. More on this tragedy here.
Earlier this week, we revealed our annual list of executives driving success for artists outside the United States. With that…
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Big Loud Records elevated Tyler Waugh to senior vice president of radio promotion, effective immediately. A key player at the label for nearly a decade, Waugh has contributed to 30 No. 1 singles and helped deliver a historic add day with Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help,” which earned support from all reporting country radio stations. Based in Nashville, Waugh was honored with the CRS Award for Director of National Promotion in 2023, and his team secured Country Aircheck’s Label of the Year for 2023 and 2024, as well as Billboard’s top Country Airplay Label. Before joining Big Loud in 2016, he held radio promotion roles at Blaster, Streamsound and Arista Nashville. EVP Stacy Blythe praised Waugh’s leadership and strategic vision in announcing the promotion. “The deep respect that he earns from the team speaks volumes,” said Blythe.
Warner Music Nashville made two moves within its radio promo teams. Paige Elliott has been hired as national director for the WEA Radio Promotion Team, bringing nearly two decades of experience, including her most recent role as Columbia director of promotion at Sony Music Nashville. She also held regional promotion roles at Capitol Records Nashville and Capitol Music Group. Elliott steps into the position previously held by Stephanie Hagerty. Additionally, Kayla Burnett has been promoted to manager of radio for the WMN Team. Since joining WMN as a coordinator in 2020, Burnett has played a vital role in crafting radio strategies at the label. The announcement was made by Kristen Williams, svp of radio and commercial partnerships. They can be reached at Paige.Elliott@wmg.com and Kayla.Burnett@wmg.com.
Audio Chateau Records, a division of Audio Up Media, appointed Grammy-nominated producer Poo Bear to its advisory board. Reuniting with Audio Up CEO Jared Gutstadt, Poo Bear will co-write and produce the debut album for Randy Savvy, frontman of the Compton Cowboys. Known for his work with Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled and Nicky Jam, Poo Bear has a longstanding creative partnership with Gutstadt, including projects like Bear and a Banjo, featuring Bob Dylan. Also joining the board is Nathan Miller, CEO of Miller Ink, to enhance brand and media strategy. Randy Savvy and the Compton Cowboys will debut their album — which they’re dubbing as “street country” — on June 6 at CMA Fest’s “Been Country: Black Roots in Rhythm,” celebrating Black country music and cowboy heritage. “Poo Bear is a generational talent, and his involvement will add fuel to Audio Chateau’s creative engine, elevating our label and roster of artists to a new level,” said Gutstadt. “We’re ready to debut a bold new sound with Randy and the Compton Cowboys’ album—one that will redefine the crossroads of country and hip-hop.”
Molly DeMellier is ready to shine as chief operating officer Sundaze PR, teaming up with founder and CEO Sarah Jackson to scale the agency’s operations across the US and UK. With a background at Acast, where she was marketing and PR director in the US, the NYC-based exec brings deep experience in audio and creator tech to support Sundaze’s mission of providing strategic communications for B2B companies in the creator economy. Sundaze, known for its story-driven PR approach, already serves clients like Adelicious, Slipstream and Wondercraft. DeMellier will focus on helping creator-tech brands craft purposeful communications strategies that elevate their impact in content and community. “This next chapter is about doubling down on what we do best,” says Jackson, who founded Sundaze after leaving her role as global head of PR at Acast. “There’s a huge gap in quality PR for this space, and we’re building an agency designed to fill it.”
NASHVILLE NOTES: BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville promoted Allan Geiger to senior director and Haley Wirthele to manager within the company’s content and creative department, both reporting to vp of global content creative Jen Morgan … Prescriptions Songs promoted Kelly White to A&R coordinator from assistant … Business management firm Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company made three staff moves, including the promotion of Amanda Goff to client manager from assistant. It also hired client manager Amanda Remo, who previously held the same role at Farris, Self & Moore, and junior business manager Ryan Spradlin, formerly of the Mechanical Licensing Collective … Nashville Public Radio named longtime public media executive Holly Kernan — ex-chief content officer at KQED/San Francisco — as its new president and CEO, succeeding Steve Swenson, and she will now oversee 90.3 WPLN News, WNXP 91.1 and Nashville Classical Radio.
Recognition Music Group, the Blackstone-owned catalog company formerly called Hipgnosis, launched a senior advisory group chaired by Matt Spetzler, former co-head of Europe for boutique investment bank Francisco Partners and now head of his own investment firm Jamen Capital. Top copyright and music assets lawyer Lisa Alter of Alter, Kendrick & Baron, and David Johnson, former Warner Chappell and EMI executive and Sony Music and Warner Music’s former general counsel, will also sit on the advisory committee. “We very much look forward to working with Matt, Lisa and David,” Recognition CEO Ben Katovsky said in a statement. “Their combined expertise and insight will be a powerful support as we continue to enhance and protect the legacy and value of the incredible songs in our portfolio.”
Berklee appointed Jonathan Mahoney as the new dean of its Pre-College, Online and Professional Programs (POPP) division, effective May 28. He brings nearly two decades of experience in EdTech, most recently serving as vp of online learning at the Recording Academy, where he launched GRAMMY GO — the organization’s first creator-to-creator learning platform. Before that, he spent over a decade at 2U, the technology and services provider behind edX. “Jonathan’s learner-first mindset and track record of scaling innovative programs align seamlessly with our mission,” said Debbie Cavalier, Berklee Online cofounder and CEO.
ICYMI:
Richard Grenell
Due to a prolonged delay in the reopening of Brooklyn Mirage, Josh Wyatt is stepping down as CEO of its parent company, Avant Gardner. In the interim, day-to-day operations will be overseen by Gary Richards, Avant Gardner’s non-executive chairman of the board … Live Nation elected Trump devotee Richard Grenell to its board of directors. Grenell was recently appointed to run the Kennedy Center following a shakeup. Live Nation, currently navigating an antitrust lawsuit brought by the DOJ, donated $500k towards Trump’s inauguration. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Former BMG Exec Joins Armin van Buuren’s Armada
Following an extended delay in the reopening of New York club Brooklyn Mirage, Josh Wyatt will no longer serve as CEO of the club’s parent company, Avant Gardner, sources close to the situation confirm to Billboard.
Gary Richards, Avant Gardner’s non-executive chairman of the board, will manage day-to-day operations for Avant Gardner in the interim, effective immediately.
The leadership swap follows a turbulent few weeks for Avant Gardner, the company and events complex, and its flagship venue, Brooklyn Mirage. After an extensive remodel and much fanfare, the club was set to open on May 1 with a two-night run from hard techno producer Sara Landry. Those shows were both canceled by the club hours before they were set to begin, after building inspectors declined to grant the recently renovated facility a permit to open.
All subsequent shows at the venue have been canceled or postponed, with the club making a statement on social media earlier this week that read, “We’re sad to announce that our Brooklyn Mirage shows through Memorial Day weekend have been moved to dates in July and August.”
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As reported by Billboard earlier this month, sources monitoring the situation said Mirage officials were given a list of fixes that needed to be completed for the club to open following an extensive renovation at the venue complex Avant Garner, which includes the 80,000-square-foot, 6,000-capacity Williamsburg nightclub. Widely recognized as one of the top stops in New York for electronic and dance acts, the Mirage had operated for years with the support of New York Mayor Eric Adams, whose office has intervened on Avant Gardner’s behalf as part of an ongoing legal fight with New York’s State Liquor Authority.
The former CEO of NeueHouse, Wyatt was hired as Avant Gardner CEO last October. Richards, meanwhile, is a longtime dance industry figure who founded HARD Events in Los Angeles in 2007 (the company was acquired by Live Nation in 2012). He is also the former North American president of Live Style, the founder of the All My Friends and Friendship festivals, and has been a board member at Avant Gardner since 2024.
A representative for Avant Gardner did not immediately respond to Billboard’s request for comment.