Executive Turntable
Welcome to the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s a full slate of personnel news this week, so let’s hop to it.
Long-time listener, first-time employee Rich Baer joined SiriusXM Holdings as the satellite radio giant’s new executive vp, general counsel and secretary, effective March 3. Baer, who replaces the retiring Patrick Donnelly, boasts over 40 years of legal and business experience, most recently serving as chief legal officer at Airbnb before hanging it up in 2023. “I failed at retirement,” he joked this week. His extensive career also includes roles as chief administrative officer and chief legal officer at Liberty Media, evp and CLO at UnitedHealth Group, and general counsel at Qwest Communications. Baer began his legal career as a homicide prosecutor in Brooklyn before leading the litigation department at a Denver law firm. He’ll report to SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz, who highlighted Baer’s background in counseling complex companies and said “his ability to navigate legal issues and balance the needs of a business will enable him to succeed here.” Witz also honored outgoing GC Patrick Donnelly, recognizing his nearly 27 years of dedicated service.
Partisan Records hired Nick Wagner as the indie label’s new chief financial officer, effective late last year. Based in NYC and reporting to president and co-founder Tim Putnam, Wagner will oversee global financial operations, strategic planning, team management and growth initiatives at Partisan, home to PJ Harvey, IDLES and more. Wagner brings extensive experience from his previous role as global vp of business operations at Endeavor, where he improved operational efficiency across the company’s portfolio. He also served as vp of finance at Warner Music Group, focusing on artist-driven growth in digital and social media. Additionally, Wagner led the North America Digital Media division at Vice Media Group, managing finance and operations for brands like Noisey and Vice.com.
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Sony Music Nashville has promoted Mallory Michaels to vice president of radio marketing & promotion. In the new role, Michaels will develop and implement strategic and tactical national radio promotion plans for rostered artists at Sony Music Nashville, supporting both Columbia Nashville and RCA Nashville imprints. Michaels will report to senior vp, radio marketing & promotion Dennis Reese. Michaels joined SMN in 2018 and previously held roles at Warner Music Nashville and Red Bow Records. –Jessica Nicholson
Mike Faul / Courtesy Photo
Dynamic Talent International appointed veteran marketer Mike Faul to lead its newly launched Brand Partnerships division. Based in New York, Faul will spearhead efforts to connect creative talent with top brands across industries like fashion, technology, luxury, lifestyle and media. The division will focus on sponsorship acquisition, co-branded content creation and immersive experiential activations, aiming to craft bespoke campaigns that amplify both brand identities and artistic expression. Faul brings extensive experience to the role, having worked with major names like YouTube, MTV, A24, The North Face and Taco Bell. In 2017, he founded Sub Rosa Curation, driving innovative marketing initiatives across sports and entertainment. Prior to that, he served as marketing manager at Bagavagabonds, curating festival programming for brands like Vans, Toyota and Anheuser-Busch. DTI, a leading talent management firm with offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and Poland, is known for its forward-thinking approach in supporting artists. The firm recently celebrated Taemin’s sold-out show at the Kia Forum and announced new signings, including The Georgia Satellites and Hot 8 Brass Band. “This is an exciting opportunity to bolster what is already one of the most dynamic agencies in entertainment,” said Faul.
Legends appointed Chris Bray as president of Europe for its combined Legends and ASM Global business. Bray will oversee operations across the UK and Europe, managing venue operations and revenue generation for sports, entertainment, conventions and other industries out of the company’s office in Manchester. Previously president of Europe for ASM Global, Bray brings over 30 years of experience in commercial operations and development. Since joining ASM Global in 2022, he has driven growth, enhanced guest experiences, and sealed key contracts with venues like Utilita Arena and Olympia London. Bray also oversaw significant investments in venues, including a major glow-up for AO Arena in Manchester. Before ASM Global, he spent 15 years at Sodexo, where he boosted the firm’s Sports and Leisure division. Following Legends’ acquisition of ASM Global in August 2024, the combined company includes iconic venues like AO Arena and major football clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool. Legends CEO Dan Levy praised Bray’s leadership, adding, “With a strong presence across the UK and Europe … we’re in an incredible position to set new standards in sports and entertainment.”
Sony Music Publishing promoted Taryn Miller to vice president, IT global copyright and royalties, effective immediately. Based in Nashville, Miller will report to chief information officer Bill Starke. In her new role, she’ll oversee the development and management of SMP’s royalty and copyright systems, including the Tempo platform and client portal SCORE, while collaborating across departments on enterprise applications. With over 20 years at the company, Miller has been instrumental in advancing key systems like Tempo and SCORE. She began her career in North American Royalty Administration before becoming a Tempo migration specialist and later transitioning to the IT team, most recently serving as director, IT global administration systems. Starke praised Miller’s contributions, stating “her work has elevated our services for songwriters.”
Creative Artists Agency promoted five Elevate trainees to agent roles across its music, comedy and theatre departments. In the Music Touring group, Ethan Goldish, based in Nashville, was elevated after joining CAA in 2019 and progressing from floater to booking professional in 2022. Also in Nashville, Cam Jensen was promoted after starting as an assistant in 2022, later becoming a booking professional overseeing the Southeast club territory. In Los Angeles, Dom Valentyn was promoted to Music Touring Agent, having joined CAA in 2019 and previously working in artist management and playlist marketing. In the Comedy Touring department, Marissa Pisterzi in Los Angeles was promoted after starting at CAA in 2021, working with several agents before becoming a booking professional. In New York City, Kennedy Woodard was promoted to Agent in the Theatre department. She joined CAA in 2021 as an assistant to Justin Edbrooke and Ethan Kurtzman, and has worked closely with theatre pros to develop stage and screen projects. All five promotions reflect CAA’s commitment to nurturing talent through its Elevate program, which identifies and advances rising professionals within the agency.
Kobalt appointed Claes Uggla as general manager of Kobalt Scandinavia, overseeing operations from the Stockholm office. With over 25 years of A&R experience, Uggla has shaped the careers of many Scandinavian artists. He joins from RMV, where he worked with acts like Gustaf & Viktor Norén. Previously, at Universal Music Sweden, he licensed hits like Lukas Graham’s “Ordinary Things,” and at Sony Music Sweden, he earned a special A&R award for Alan Walker’s “Faded.” Jeannette Perez, Kobalt’s president, praised Uggla’s track record, saying his “approach to A&R, his deep connections to the creative community and his leadership skills will be an important asset to us as we continue to build upon our success in the region.”
Range Music elevated Jared Cotter to managing partner of the management company, the music division of Range Media Partners. Cotter, who joined Range in 2022 and co-manages Shaboozey, made partner last May and before that was vp of A&R for the company. Outside the Hot 100 juggernaut that is Shaboozey, Cotter manages Paul Russell, whose “Lil Boo Thang” reached No. 14 in 2023. Cotter came to Range after co-founding The Heavy Group in 2016, a management and production company where he first signed Bazzi several years ago. He also co-founded 3AM Entertainment, an indie label focusing on music from the South Asian diaspora.
Celine Hollenbeck and Jenna Akemi Kon are named partners at Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian LLP, a leading music and entertainment law firm. Hollenbeck, based in Los Angeles, and Kon, in New York, joined the firm in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Founding partner Michael Guido and Los Angeles managing partner Renee Karalian praised their dedication and industry acumen, adding that their “enthusiasm and passion for music and artistry continue to impress the firm’s clients and partners alike.” They join the firm’s growing partner group, including Paul Gutman, Ira Friedman, Leah Seymour and Dave Keady.
BOARD SHORTS: Grammy Museum Mississippi added three new members to its board: Betsy Aguzzi of Mississippi Limestone Corporation, music publicist and entrepreneur Zach Farnum, and artist manager Gaines Sturdivant. They’ve been elected to 3-year terms, starting last month. The board is responsible for governance, oversight and major decision-making at the Cleveland, Miss. museum … VPL, which licenses music videos for public and TV broadcasts in the UK, made key board appointments: Charlotte Saxe is now VPL chair, with Alison Wenham and Shamus Damani joining as new board directors. The VPL Board, consisting of eight directors, oversees all aspects of music video licensing operations for the PPL sister company.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum promoted five staff members to key leadership roles. Tess Pardee is now associate director of creative project management, overseeing creative projects and resources. Marshell Ruffier has been named associate director of food and beverage operations, managing the banquet team, the museum café, and sustainability initiatives. Alex Krompic has been promoted to director of production and technical services, leading audio, video and lighting for events. Emily Zirkle is now associate director of events administration and entertainment, managing revenue and public events in the CMA Theater. John Sloboda has been promoted to executive director of exhibitions and curatorial services, overseeing gallery exhibitions.
Red Street Records promoted Kelly King to vp of Red Street Publishing, while Patrick Waters joins as senior director of A&R country for the company’s country roster, which includes Chris Lane, Ryan Griffin, Neon Union, Ryan Larkins and Kaleb Sanders. King, known for discovering and/or developing artists and writers including Rascal Flatts, Brett James and Brothers Osborne, earned a partnership at Teracel Music and Good Girl Music (a co-venture with Sony Publishing), before launching her own King Pen Music (a co-venture with Warner Chappell Publishing) prior to joining Red Street Records in 2022. Waters has previously held roles at Red Light Management, Warner Brothers and Interscope. –J.N.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Gotee Records appointed Jess Loper as its new general manager. Reporting to Joey Elwood, CEO of Bell Partners Christian Music, Loper steps into this role following Gotee’s integration under Bell Partners. Previously, she was vp of brand management at Gotee Records and publishing at Emack Music … The International Bluegrass Music Association made three staff changes. Rebecca Bauer joins as marketing director after working as a marketing manager for City Winery; Elizabeth Dewey was promoted to communications director from administrative manager; and Haley Grimm, who’s in her final semester at Belmont University, took over Dewey’s former position … Publicist Jessica Nall joined Jonesworks, where her country clients include Zac Brown Band, Drake Milligan and Adam Doleac. She formerly was Atlantic director of press and media strategy … Paquin Artists Agency, a booking firm focused on Canadian country acts, hired agent/talent buyer Paul Biro, formerly president/operating partner at Sakamoto.
Killphonic Rights launched a dedicated label division, led by CEO Caleb Shreve and co-head of A&R Syd Butler. This follows the company’s executive expansion and a $3 million investment from Stilwell Creative Capital in 2024. The label’s first release, Heart Of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, is set for April 25. Butler emphasized the label’s “artist-first” approach, highlighting the team’s industry experience and commitment to artist development. He stressed the importance of community and fair profit sharing, aiming to provide essential support at a time in the industry when it’s being abandoned. We believe artists need a community and a label that has their back as they navigate their future in this business.”
ATC Live has two key staffing updates. Lucy Atkinson joins as a new agent from Earth Agency, bringing her 30-strong roster, including Sega Bodega, Alice Glass and Erika de Casier, to boost the live booking agency’s electronic music prowess. Known for her forward-leaning approach, Atkinson has secured high-profile brand collaborations, such as Deijuvhs for Versace Jeans Couture and Ecco2k with Bella Hadid for Marc Jacobs eyewear, among others. Additionally, Alice Hogg was promoted to head of tour marketing, a new role aimed at integrating tour marketing services within ATC Live. This move will strengthen the London-based company’s approach to live campaigns, focusing on cohesive fan engagement and marketing strategies. Hogg, who joined ATC Live in 2020, has 15 years of experience in the live music industry and has worked with artists like Black Pumas and Aaron Frazer. Her roster will continue to be represented by ATC Live.
Raw Power Management, which like ATC Live is part of the ATC Group, bumped-up Dan Brown to the newly created role of head of A&R. A key figure on the senior management team for over a decade, Brown is currently managing You Me At Six’s farewell tour. In his new position, he will lead talent acquisition, focusing on expanding Raw Power’s diverse roster and signing new acts. The company represents artists like Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, Jordan Adetunji and Heartworms.
ICYMI:
Jodi Dawes
REPUBLIC Collective announced a big stack of promotions across various departments … Warner Chappell Music elevated Gabz Landman to senior vp of A&R … Fox veteran Nick Terranova joined Dick Clark Productions as its new senior vp of brand partnerships … Ole Obermann is out as TikTok’s global head of music business development … Publicity pro Jodi Dawes landed at Big Machine Label Group … and AEG Presents elevated Andrew Klein to lead its global partnerships division. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Syracuse Grads Band Together for New Advisory Board
The REPUBLIC Collective, which includes Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records and Republic Records, has announced several executive promotions and new hires.
Recently, Jeffrey Remedios, former Universal Music Canada chief, was appointed president of strategic development. In his new role, Remedios oversees high-priority growth initiatives for Republic’s labels, focusing on international A&R, Republic recording studios, brand expansion, and more, reporting directly to REPUBLIC Collective CEO Monte Lipman and COO Avery Lipman.
Key promotions across departments include Joe Carozza as executive vp and global media officer, Brittney Ramsdell as evp of creative sync, Julie Vastola as svp of creative, and Zoë Briggs as vp of global marketing. Gary Spangler revamped the Audience team, elevating Natina Nimene to evp of urban audience and artist relations, Lucas Romeo to evp of pop audience, Brett Dumler to svp of pop audience, James Brown to svp of urban audience, and Roya Raji to vp of touring.
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Kevin Lipson expanded his team with strategic hires and promotions, including longtime Capitol Music Group svp of streaming strategy Jeff Temske coming over as evp of global research and analytics, and Colin Yost elevated to vp of innovation and gaming partnerships. Additionally, Brian Sutnick was promoted to evp of global replay strategy, Ryan Stevens to svp of commerce, Charlene Thomas to svp of global replay strategy, and Blair O’Brien to vp of commerce.
Monte Lipman praised these recent advancements, calling them “hard-earned and well-deserved,” and emphasized the collective’s commitment to artist development and finding “generational talent.”
The executive changes follow another record-breaking year for REPUBLIC Collective, which topped Billboard’s major year-end label rankings for the fourth consecutive year. In 2024, the collective amassed 72 albums on the Billboard 200, including 13 No. 1s, and 209 songs on the Hot 100, with eight chart-toppers, reinforcing its dominance in the music industry.
Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has promoted Gabz Landman to senior vp of A&R at the company. News of Landman’s promotion comes just weeks after her longtime management and publishing client, Amy Allen, took home the Grammy for songwriter of the year, making her the first-ever woman to receive the honor. Landman got her start in […]
Nick Terranova has been appointed senior vp of brand partnerships at Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Based in New York, Terranova will be responsible for developing brand alliances across all media platforms for the production company’s many award shows (Golden Globes, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards) and other programming, such as Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
Terranova brings more than 15 years of experience in media, advertising, and partnerships to the role. Prior to joining DCP, Terranova held senior leadership roles at Fox and Warner Bros.
As svp, ad sales & brand partnerships at Fox, Terranova oversaw the national sales team and led the transition of TMZ’s advertising business following its acquisition from WarnerMedia, contributing to double-digit revenue growth across digital, social, and branded content platforms.
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Prior to Fox, Terranova held key sales leadership roles during his 12-year tenure at Warner Bros., managing numerous advertising portfolios for premium entertainment properties such as Rotten Tomatoes, Flixster, TMZ, Ellen DeGeneres, Extra, and DC Comics—brands that together formed Warner Bros. Digital Media. His work spanned direct and programmatic sales, branded content, and on-air product integrations.
Terranova began his career in media at OMD as a national TV buyer before moving to ad sales at Turner and CBS Interactive. Most recently, he served as svp of sales at Anoki, an AI-driven CTV startup.
The 60th ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, is set for May 8, live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The American Music Awards will return following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus over Memorial Day weekend. The show, live from Las Vegas, will include a tribute to America’s veterans.
DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.
Ole Obermann, the long-serving global head of music business development, is leaving the company. Tracy Gardner will step into the role after his departure at the end of March.
“I am proud to have played a role in bringing so many people the joy of music while at TikTok,” Obermann wrote in a note to staff on Tuesday (Feb. 18), according to Music Business Worldwide. “We have an amazing team,” he continued, “and leadership and music will continue to thrive and evolve on TikTok.”
A representative for TikTok declined to comment.
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Obermann started at TikTok in 2019. Before that, he spent three years at Warner Music Group as chief digital officer/evp, strategy and business development, and a decade at Sony Music, where he worked on licensing renewals with Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, as well as deals with Facebook and many other digital services. Gardner also worked at WMG prior to joining TikTok.
During Obermann’s time at TikTok, the platform grew rapidly and became a major conduit for music discovery, changing the ways that artists made and marketed songs, and the ways that labels signed and promoted artists.
As TikTok grew, it also evolved from its roots as a dance-focused app for younger users. “Even though it’s been a bunch of years since we morphed from Musical.ly to TikTok, there is still, in some communities, this misconception that the artist needs to get out there and do a dance to their song, and then it’s going to go viral,” Obermann said last year.
For the music business, Obermann often served as the TikTok’s public face. TikTok’s relationship with the industry was tense for much of 2024: There was a monthslong standoff with Universal Music Group before the two parties came to a licensing agreement.
“There was obviously a value conversation: What are the payments that are happening, and also how much marketing and promotion can we provide to help with the discovery of new music or new artists that are priorities for them?” Obermann explained last year. “So that was one thing that we were wrestling over, and we ultimately got there.”
Nashville-based label Big Machine Label Group, a subsidiary of HYBE America, has appointed Jodi Dawes to the role of vice president of publicity and communications, to oversee the label group’s public relations department and lead strategy across BMLG’s imprints Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. Dawes reports directly […]
AEG Presents has promoted Andrew Klein to president of global partnerships, where he will oversee all sales and activation efforts for the company. Reporting to executive vice president and COO Shawn Trell, Klein will continue to be based in New York.
Previously serving as senior vp of global partnerships, Klein has been a key figure in sponsorship sales at AEG for over two decades.
Klein has played an instrumental role in developing major sponsorship deals across AEG’s tours, festivals and venues. His work includes securing partnerships for high-profile events such as Stagecoach Festival, Camp Flog Gnaw and the New Orleans Jazz Fest & Heritage Festival. Known for his expertise in integrating brands with music experiences, he has spearheaded successful collaborations, including H&M’s global licensing deal with Coachella and tour sponsorships for Justin Bieber, Xbox, Ubisoft, Motorola and Katy Perry with Staples.
Klein was also ahead of the curve on live streaming, leading early broadcasts for the AT&T Blue Room with New Orleans Jazz Fest, Coachella and the Mile High Music Festival. More recently, he facilitated high-profile streaming deals, including partnerships between YouTube and Coachella and Amazon with Stagecoach, further expanding AEG’s reach in digital entertainment.
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Pre-AEG, Klein served as president of EMCI, a New York-based music sponsorship and activations firm. While there, he managed sponsorship programs for major events such as the original Lilith Fair and helped orchestrate brand collaborations, including partnerships between Tommy Hilfiger and Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain with Gitano Jeans and the Rolling Stones with Sprint.
“The opportunities in our company have never been more exciting or abundant for driving meaningful results for our partners,” said Klein. “I look forward to continuing to develop and implement innovative programs that amplify our world-class brand partners and industry-leading music assets.”
Trell praised Klein’s ability to cultivate relationships and “identifying brands and partners to bring critical value and expanded reach across our entire portfolio.”
This Valentine’s Day, show your love by sidling up to the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business.
There’s a full slate of personnel news this week, but first, peruse our second annual list of the most powerful people in sports and music, our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter and our calendar of notable industry events.
The Bandier Program at Syracuse’s Newhouse School formed a new advisory board to guide the vaulted music business program. This board consists of 13 distinguished alumni who hold leadership positions across the recording and entertainment industries, with a goal to foster innovation, mentorship and career development for students. Notable members include Jon Cohen (co-founder/CEO of The FADER and Cornerstone Agency), Jacqueline Saturn (president of Virgin Music), Joel Klaiman (CEO of ASCEND4M, former evp at Columbia), Alex Coslov (evp of Mercury Records), Justin Shukat (president of Primary Wave) and Margaret Tomlin (vp of A&R at Sony Music Nashville), among others. They’ll work with Bandier program director Bill Werde and managing director Lisa Steele to keep the program aligned with industry trends, promote diversity and overall enhance its reputation. Since its first graduating class in 2011, the Bandier Program has consistently been ranked among Billboard’s top music business schools. This fall, it will expand with a new master’s degree program in music business, a joint effort between the Newhouse School and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Named after legendary music publishing executive Martin Bandier, the program offers students a multidisciplinary education, industry connections, and practical experience. Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato commended the alums, saying “the diverse skills and career paths of the 13 inaugural members of the Advisory Board shine a light on the legacy of excellence in music business education at Syracuse University and the Newhouse School.”
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Joey Papoutsis ’13, Bill Werde, Caitlin Lytle ’16, Max Weinberg ’12, Michelle Santosuosso, Suryansh Singh ’25, Tamzin Folz ’26, Darius Baharlo ’27, Rachel Kelly ’25, Margaret Tomlin ’13, Bria Lewis ’26, Gabz Landman ’12, Joel Klaiman ’90, Lisa Steele, Grant Palmer ’13, CJ Strock ’00, Jon Cohen ’90, Justin Shukat ’96, Steve Magee ’16
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Sony Music Publishing elevated Henry Naldjian to chief technology officer, reporting to chief information officer Bill Starke. Based in Nashville, Naldjian will oversee technological transformation, drive innovation and ensure global team alignment. With over 34 years of experience at Sony, he has played a key role in SMP’s IT advancements, including developing the Tempo copyright and royalty system and leading cloud computing initiatives. Naldjian, who previously helped build Sony Music Entertainment’s global royalty system, expressed his passion for supporting songwriters: “In a world where technology evolves at the speed of thought, our greatest asset is not the code we write, but the empowerment we provide to our songwriters and clients.”
The MSG Family of Companies — MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment — appointed Stephanie Andino as executive vp of people practices, effective Feb. 24. Reporting to executive chairman and CEO Jim Dolan, she will oversee benefits, compensation, employee engagement, talent acquisition and policy compliance at the venue and live entertainment giant. Andino arrives from Crate and Barrel, where she served as chief human resources officer, and brings extensive experience from roles at Victoria’s Secret, Legends Hospitality, PepsiCo, Fox, JWT, and Gap Inc. Dolan praised her ability to develop impactful programs in dynamic organizations, adding, “we look forward to leveraging her expertise to lead this critical area.”
Concord Music Publishing nudged Kourtney Kirkpatrick to senior vp of synchronization and Matt Turner to vp of A&R in its Nashville office. Kirkpatrick will continue to lead the television sync division, managing a team across New York, Los Angeles and Nashville, and promoting catalogs from artists like Phil Collins, and John Fogerty. Her team has secured placements in popular shows such as Euphoria and Stranger Things, and trailers for brands like Netflix and Apple. She also leads Concord’s annual Nashville sync camp, which has resulted in over 350 placements globally. Previously, Kirkpatrick worked at Razor & Tie and Big Yellow Dog Music. Turner, meanwhile, will focus on signing and developing talent across country. His efforts have led to multiple radio staples for artists like Morgan Wallen and Dan + Shay, and he has also secured publishing deals for Josh Miller, Andy Albert and other writers. Turner’s previous experience includes roles at Big Loud and Downtown Music Publishing, where he helped launch the careers of Morgan Wallen and Chris Lane.
Jordan Saxemard‘s brief tenure as chief marketing officer of Sonos is over. Saxemard, who joined Sonos last May from Dyson and previously spent a decade at Coty, leaves amid backlash over a poorly received app update that damaged the company’s reputation with customers. His exit, effective immediately according to The Verge, comes a month after Patrick Spence’s resignation as CEO. In the interim, Lindsay Whitworth, a 20-year veteran of Sonos, will take over brand marketing leadership as the company navigates the fallout from the update and works to restore consumer confidence.
The Academy of Country Music made several key promotions and new hires. Christina Bartko joins as vp of accounting and finance, bringing experience from Warner Music Group and Live Nation, and will report to CEO Damon Whiteside. Haley Montgomery has been promoted to head of artist relations and awards, overseeing artist relations, membership, awards voting and governance, and will also report to Whiteside. Steve Mekler is now senior director of creative and marketing, leading marketing campaigns and content strategy, reporting to evp and chief business officer Gil Beverly. Jennifer Davis has been promoted to director of live events and production, managing logistics for major ACM events, and will report to vp of live events and production Ben Carter. Lastly, Karson Leighton joins as executive assistant to the CEO and CBO, handling internal operations.
Entertainment business management firm FBMM announced that Dan Killian is now an owner and shareholder of the company. Killian, who has nearly 15 years of music business experience, and more than a dozen years with FBMM, is now the youngest owner in FBMM’s history. In addition to managing business needs of clients spanning various genres of music, Killian also plays a key role in internal initiatives including creating a health and wellness program, leadership training and mentorship, and business development. FBMM was founded in 1990 and has offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville. –Jessica Nicholson
TuneCore named Kevin Ferguson as senior vp of technology, tasked with driving innovation, scalability and user experience. Reporting to chief technology and product officer Luxi Huang, Ferguson will enhance TuneCore’s platform and programs like TuneCore Accelerator, focusing on digital tools that help artists connect with audiences and monetize their work. Ferguson brings extensive experience from BentoBox, where he scaled operations globally and integrated technology post-acquisition by FiServ. He has also held leadership roles at Audible, Morgan Stanley and the Vanguard Group. Huang praised Ferguson’s ability to lead high-performing teams, saying his “strategic foresight—makes him the ideal leader to further accelerate our innovation and ensure we remain at the forefront of the evolving music industry.” Ferguson expressed excitement about using technology to empower independent artists and strengthen TuneCore’s impact in the music industry, “all while ensuring that every artist has access to the most intuitive and powerful set of tools.”
Merlin appointed Sarah McNabb as director of content integrity, effective immediately. Based in London, McNabb joins from Audoo, where in three years she rose to head of partnerships, enhancing music royalties with advanced recognition technology. In her role at Merlin, she’ll work with members and digital platforms to maintain high content integrity standards. McNabb’s extensive experience with PROs and CMOs while at her last gig make her “uniquely suited to spearhead Merlin’s efforts to combat streaming manipulation and fraud,” the indie digital rights nonprofit said. Previously, she advocated for diversity and inclusion at Tech Talent Charter, a UK not-for-profit promoting gender parity in the IT sector.
RADIO, RADIO: Jenna Weiss-Berman stepped down as evp of podcasts at Audacy to become head of audio at Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions. In her new role, she’ll lead the expansion of the company’s podcasting and digital audio content. Weiss-Berman, who co-founded Pineapple Street Studios before its acquisition by Audacy in 2019, will continue consulting for Audacy … Townsquare created three new upper-management positions and promoted executives to the roles. Cristina Cipolla steps up to chief data officer from senior vp of data and analytics, Matt Kiger rises to chief revenue officer from senior vp of sales, and Kelly Quinn is lifted to the Ignite division’s chief revenue officer from senior vp of sales.
Humanable appointed Tim Wipperman as its first chief executive officer, announced by president Lili McGrady. Wipperman, a Billboard Country Power Player in 2022, has had a distinguished career, starting in Nashville in the 1970s. He has led Vector Music Publishing, Cedarwood Publishing and Combine Music, working with writers like Kris Kristofferson. He notably spent nearly three decades at Warner Bros. Music (later Warner Chappell) and led Equity Music Group, Wipperman Music Group, Rezonant Music Group, and held roles at Anthem Music Publishing Nashville and ONErpm. Humanable’s software certifies that creators’ work is made without Generative AI, reducing fraud in the supply chain. The certification provides a unique identifier to protect against AI-generated music, with 3.4 million songs certified to date. Wipperman emphasized the importance of protecting artists, stating, “Humanable is a first-to-market, author-driven way to mitigate the danger GenAI poses to creators.”
Drew Silverstein joined SourceAudio as president and head of AI strategy. The hire coincides with the launch of SongLab, SourceAudio’s new AI-powered suite of music tools designed to credit and compensate artists for AI-generated works. Silverstein, co-founder and former CEO of Amper Music, is tasked with leading all AI initiatives, focusing on forming partnerships with companies seeking ethically sourced AI training data and ensuring that all 33 million songs in the SourceAudio catalog can be used with full creator consent. Silverstein, a former vp of music at Shutterstock, will report to SourceAudio CEO Geoffrey Harding.
Big Loud Rock named Brooks Roach as senior vp of marketing. In this role, Roach will oversee the label’s marketing strategy, reporting to Big Loud partner Joey Moi and evp/general manager Lloyd Norman. Roach brings extensive industry experience, having previously served as svp of marketing at Giant Music, vp of marketing at Atlantic Records, and head of marketing and brand partnerships for Coldplay at Dave Holmes Management. He began his career at The Agency Group.
Peermusic executive Frank Handy was elected national chair of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) for 2025-2026 term. In this role, he will work with the executive committee, including chapter brass, to unify all four AIMP Chapters (Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Atlanta) in educating the independent music publishing community on industry trends. Handy will also serve as president of the LA Chapter. With years of involvement in AIMP’s LA outpost, Handy has previously served as treasurer and vp. Currently vp of catalog royalties administration at peermusic, Handy has held leadership roles at Position Music and AllTrack Performing Rights.
The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, welcomed back Stefanie May as its marketing director. May, a seasoned live music marketer, previously held various roles at the venue from 2014 to 2022, including marketing coordinator, manager and director. She joins general manager Alyssa Kitchen as part of the Cap’s leadership team. May brings over a decade of industry experience, having worked with Brooklyn Made Presents and the Fairfield Theatre Company. She also played a key role in the National Independent Venue Association’s successful campaign to pass the Save Our Stages Act.
Laura Gonzalez has been promoted to vp of marketing at Disney Music Group. She will lead the Disney-branded marketing team, overseeing music and soundtrack strategies for Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Disney Theatrical and Disney Parks. She’ll also manage marketing for DMG playlists, music franchises, and activations at D23 Ultimate Fan Events. Since joining DMG in 2008, Gonzalez has played a key role in major marketing initiatives, contributing to the success of projects like Encanto, Turning Red, Moana 2, and Frozen on Broadway.
Tape Room Music added Katherine Godwin as manager of A&R, where she will focus on maximizing catalog constructs and managing calendars for writers on the Tape Room Music roster. Godwin began interning with Big Machine Label Group’s publishing arm while completing her undergrad degree at Vanderbilt University. She then worked as a publishing assistant at BMLG’s publishing division before serving as a creative coordinator, managing a catalog of over 14,000 songs for three years. -J.N.
NASHVILLE NOTES: UMG Nashville director of media marketing Jodi Dawes exited the label after a three-and-a-half year run … Mtheory expanded its Nashville office with two new hires. Branden Bosler joins as vp of artist services and business development, bringing experience from Stand Together Music, BMI and Warner Music Nashville. Carine Abraham has been appointed as a day-to-day manager, overseeing the career of Mickey Guyton. She previously worked as a project manager at UMG Nashville … The Touring Career Workshop rebranded as ECCHO, an acronym for Education, Community, Connection, Health and Opportunity.
Calling All Crows, an advocate for feminist actions in the music industry, appointed Ben Whitehair as its new executive director, succeeding Heatherjean MacNeil. Whitehair, formerly the executive vp of SAG-AFTRA, brings nearly two decades of entertainment and leadership experience. Board chair Monica Hinojos-Capes said Whitehair’s “ability to catalyze communities, foster impactful partnerships, and drive meaningful change aligns seamlessly with our mission to mobilize music fans and artists to fuel feminist movements and social activism.” Co-founded by Chadwick Stokes and Sybil Gallagher, the nonprofit engages music fans, artists and venues in activism. It has donated over $1 million and facilitated over 50,000 actions for feminist causes, the org said. Under MacNeil’s leadership, initiatives like Here For The Music, promoting safer music spaces, gained national traction.
ICYMI:
Deborah F. Rutter
In a totally normal move, Donald Trump fired Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Rutter and installed himself as chair … Sony Music Nashville restructured its promo team, appointing Dennis Reese as svp of radio marketing & promo and letting several staffers go … WMG announced Tomás Talarico as new managing director in Argentina and Chile … the label also expanded its corporate development team by appointing Alfonso Perez-Soto as evp of corp dev and Michael LoBiondo as svp of corp dev … and Ronald Day is out at Telemundo. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Capitol Gets ‘Busy’ and Atlantic Picks ‘Figs’
Sony Music Nashville has restructured its radio promotion team, appointing Dennis Reese as senior vp, radio marketing & promotion. Reese will oversee the development and execution of the strategic radio promotional plans for both the RCA Nashville and Columbia Nashville imprints.
Reese will report to Sony Music Nashville chair/CEO Taylor Lindsey and president/COO Ken Robold, and will start in his new role on Feb. 14.
Reese spent the past year at Neon Coast, supporting the artist roster including Kane Brown, Restless Road, Nightly, Dylan Schneider and Kat Luna. His new role marks a returning of Reese to SMN; Reese previously spent seven years leading the RCA Nashville imprint. He joined RCA Nashville after working in pop music at Epic Records, Capitol Music Group, Elektra Records and Columbia Records.
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“We are thrilled to welcome back Dennis to the company,” Lindsey said in a statement. “His experience at both the country and pop formats, excellent leadership skills and dedication to the artists he’s worked is unmatched and we are fortunate enough to have him this time at the helm of our promotion team. SMN remains committed to promoting our artists at radio and we know Dennis will continue to bring the No. 1s and advocate for our artists every day.”
Reese’s appointment follows a recent organizational restructuring at Sony Music Nashville, with several radio promotion team staffers having exited as part of the restructuring. Among those that exited were SMN senior vp, promotion Lauren “LT” Thomas, Columbia Nashville senior director, promotion Lauren Bartlett, Columbia Nashville directors of promotion Paige Elliott and Lisa Owen, as well as Sony Music Nashville manager of promotion and artist development Paul Grosser.
Regarding the exits, Sony Music Nashville said in a statement obtained by Billboard, “Our focus is always on being the best partners for our artists and the creative community, especially in this rapidly evolving marketplace. Today we made changes to our team structure to streamline our resources and be more successfully connected to our valuable radio partners across RCA Nashville and Columbia Nashville.”
In November, Lindsey was named as chair/CEO, with Robold promoted to president/COO, as Randy Goodman announced his retirement after running the label since 2015.
Sony Music Nashville’s artist roster includes Brown, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Nate Smith and more.
Warner Music Group announced changes to its division overseeing Argentina and Chile on Tuesday (Feb. 11), bringing in Tomás Talarico as the new managing director of Warner Music Southern Cone (née Cono Sur), effective immediately. He succeeds Guillermo Castellani, who will stay on as a consultant during the transition. Talarico will report to Alejandro Duque, president of Warner Music Latin America.
Talarico brings extensive industry experience, having founded MOJO, an independent record label and digital distributor, in 2014. Under his leadership, MOJO expanded across Argentina, Chile and Peru, becoming a key player in the tropical and urban music markets. The company has collaborated with approximately 150 artists and labels, managing audiovisual production and music publishing. According to the hiring announcement, MOJO’s success includes more than 50 Gold and Platinum certified singles and multiple industry awards, including eight Gardel Awards and two Pulsar Awards.
Throughout his career, Talarico has played a significant role in developing emerging artists such as ECKO, Grupo Zumbale Primo, Kaleb Di Masi, Papichamp and Uriel Lozano, among others. He was also a key contributor to the collaborative project Un Poco de Ruido. He’s also a musician, having released five rock and pop albums as a guitarist and singer-songwriter.
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Before founding MOJO, Talarico was a pioneer in digital music distribution, working with companies focused on MP3 and ringtone sales. His early career included a role as a supervisor at Tower Records.
Duque praised Talarico’s entrepreneurial mindset and ability to bridge music and technology “to the service of artists,” also praising Castellani role in developing the careers of major Warner artists such as Maria Becerra and Tiago PZK.
Talarico expressed excitement about joining WMG, highlighting the opportunity to utilize the resources of an international label to support the region.
“To be able to tap into the resources of a major label to superserve the exceptional talent in this region is an incredible opportunity,” he said. “I also want to pay tribute to the remarkable Guillermo Castellani who has nurtured such a strong team and played a huge role in the wider music industry. He leaves big shoes to fill, and I’m looking forward to building on his legacy!”
Castellani reflected on his time at Warner Music, which dates back to early 2002, and lauded the support of Duque and the Warner Music Southern Cone team.
“I am grateful to the family of Warner Music Southern Cone for allowing me to enjoy my work every day: without them it would have been impossible to reach the goals we achieved,” he said. “I wish Tomás success in writing the following chapter in the Southern Cone. I am sure that he will lead Warner Music in its continuous growth so that it will remain a magnet for new music talent in this part of the world.”