Executive Turntable
Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) has named Tim Jorgensen as vp of operations on its Austin team. In the new role, Jorgensen will lead OEG’s Block 21 businesses in the city, including ACL Live, 3TEN and W Austin. In addition to leading strategic direction for the Block 21 complex, he will oversee day-to-day operations at ACL […]
Warner Music Group announced on Monday (April 14) that Armin Zerza will join the company as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 5, reporting to CEO Robert Kyncl. Zerza, who previously served as CFO of Activision Blizzard, brings extensive global financial, commercial and operational leadership experience.
Bryan Castellani, the current executive vp and CFO, will serve until May 5 and then act as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition.
Armin Zerza
Zerza has three decades of experience across the entertainment, technology and consumer goods sectors. At Activision Blizzard, the game publisher behind Call of Duty and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, he held roles as CFO and chief commercial officer, playing a pivotal role in the company’s acquisition by Microsoft. Before joining Activision Blizzard in August 2015, Zerza spent over 20 years at Procter & Gamble, serving in various senior leadership roles across North America, Europe and Latin America. He managed multibillion-dollar businesses such as P&G’s European Baby Care and Latin America divisions and was part of the global M&A team.
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CEO Robert Kyncl praised Zerza’s 30 years of global experience and his track record of delivering results through innovation and financial discipline, adding, “He’ll help us evolve our long-term strategy and build WMG for the lasting benefit of our artists, songwriters, investors, employees, and partners.”
“I am thrilled to join WMG, a dynamic and innovative leader in the music industry,” said Zerza. “I believe the business has tremendous potential and look forward to working closely with Robert and the talented team at WMG to help deliver its ambitious vision for innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.”
Castellani joined WMG in August 2023 after nearly 30 years at The Walt Disney Company, rising to CFO for Disney Entertainment & ESPN. Prior to that, he held such roles as evp of finance for Disney Media, where he oversaw its distribution, ad sales and networks businesses, and previously he was evp and CFO of ESPN proper. Castellani succeeded longtime CFO Eric Levin.
“It’s been a rewarding experience to contribute to the ongoing evolution of this great company,” he said. “There’s so much we achieved at a pivotal time for the industry. I thank Robert, the Board of Directors, and everyone at WMG, especially the global finance team.”
Are we having fun yet? It’s time to rally for another spin ’round the 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 whole mess of news this week, so let’s get to it.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment appointed David Collins as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective April 14. Collins will oversee all financial functions at MSG Entertainment, including financial planning and analysis, controllership, treasury, investor relations, tax and procurement, reporting directly to executive chairman and CEO James L. Dolan. MSG Entertainment’s portfolio includes Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre in NYC, and the Chicago Theatre in take-a-guess. With over 30 years of experience, Collins brings expertise across live entertainment, sports, energy, transportation and restaurant industries. He previously served as CFO and EVP at Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, managing finance, accounting, analytics, and ticket operations for the Prudential Center, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Devils. Collins also held c-suite roles at Base Entertainment and began his career as a CPA at Ernst & Young. Dolan expressed confidence in Collins’s broad financial experience, particularly in live entertainment and sports, as MSG Entertainment advances key initiatives and long-term goals.
Danny Buch, a promo veteran with decades under his belt who helped break artists from Stone Temple Pilots to Brandi Carlile plus a fair share of “hair” (bands), announced he has departed Sony Music after a 20-year run at two of the label’s indie distribution arms and is launching his own shop, Danny Buch Promotion. Until recently, Buch was senior vp of promotion at Sony’s The Orchard, where he worked artists like BTS, Kelsea Ballerini, Walk off the Earth, Jack White and Bad Bunny at radio. Pre-Orchard, he helped pioneer independent artist promotion by launching RED Distribution’s promo arm in 2005 and stayed there until Sony merged RED into Orchard, starting in 2017. (The RED name was retired later.) During his RED days, Buch helped break Phoenix, Ingrid Michaelson, Alabama Shakes and more indie darlings. But before he saw RED, Buch clocked 25 years at Warner, where he played an integral role in Atlantic Records’ promotion department between 1980 and 2004. Co-heading promo for much of his tenure, Buch lead efforts on behalf of Atlantic giants like AC/DC, INXS, Rush, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, CSNY, Hootie & the Blowfish, STP and more. In the mid-to-late 1980s he broke a chunk of hair/glam metal hits of the day, given Atlantic was home to RATT, Skid Row, White Lion, Winger, Twisted Sister and more. On his next chapter, Buch said: “In launching my new venture, I recognize the opportunity to tap into my years of relationships, in helping both artists & labels. I’m excited about the incredible prospects that lie ahead.” Contact: dbuchmail@gmail.com
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Sarah Gabrielli has been promoted to head of A&R at Sony Music Publishing UK, where she will lead the UK A&R team, strengthen creative strategies, and create new opportunities for songwriters. Based in London, she continues to report to president and co-managing director David Ventura. Over her eight years at SMP, Gabrielli has signed and worked with artists including Artemas, Beabadoobee, Cian Ducrot, Jordan Rakei, Arlo Parks and Two Inch Punch, and her most recent wins include Charli XCX’s 2024 album BRAT. Ventura praised Gabrielli’s passion, leadership, and deep commitment to artist development, calling her promotion a natural next step. Co-managing director Tim Major echoed the sentiment, saying “she is someone who leads with heart, empathy, passion and dedication.”
Michelle Bower joined The Neal Agency as president of strategic partnerships. Bower most recently served as associate sr. vp at LaForce, leading campaigns for companies/brands including Madewell, YSL Beauty, Motorola and Tinder. Bower previously held roles at Jonesworks, Dittoe Public Relations and Fleishman-Hillard. The Neal Agency’s roster includes Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Ernest and more. –Jessica Nicholson
Paul Dworkis is poised to become Berklee‘s new executive vp and chief financial officer, starting next Tuesday (April 15). In this role, he’ll oversee finance, accounting, budgeting, real estate, facilities, risk management and more business matters. Dworkis brings extensive experience in higher education, having served as CFO at Emerson College, the University of Maryland, and in senior roles at Columbia University. At Emerson, he supported academic initiatives, managed public safety and launched the unCommon Stage in Boston Common. Dworkis also spent part of his early career at Newsweek. Berklee president Jim Lucchese praised Dworkis for his “unparalleled” credentials and commitment to student-focused operations. “We share the philosophy that everything we do comes back to our students and how to best meet their needs,” he said. Dworkis expressed enthusiasm for joining Berklee, calling it a “truly special—an institution whose mission, creativity, and global impact are unmatched.”
Electric Feel Entertainment appointed Chandler Nicole Sherrill as senior director of creative, reporting to company founder and CEO Austin Rosen. Based in Nashville, Sherrill brings a strong background in music publishing, beginning her career at Little Extra Music in 2015 and later joining MV2 Entertainment, where she helped contribute to over 20 No. 1s for major artists like Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean. In her new role, she’ll lead creative strategy and collaboration among artists, producers and songwriters. Rosen, who just joined the board of Outback Presents, praised Sherrill’s passion and vision, calling her a valuable addition to the team. “We look forward to seeing the impact she will have as we continue to push boundaries and shape the future of entertainment,” he said.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Big Loud promoted Brianne Deslippe to head of marketing from senior vp of global marketing and strategy. She fills the vacancy left by the recent departure of senior vp of marketing Candice Watkins … Megan Wise was named vp of new business at Anotherland Agency, a music label and marketing startup. With over 15 years of industry experience, including roles at the Country Music Association and Creative Artists Agency, she’ll lead brand collaborations, sales strategies and partnership initiatives to drive growth.
Amigo Records appointed Carina Petrillo as product manager / marketing director and promoted Jillian Rutstein to head of digital. Petrillo, with experience at Elektra Records, MTV and Hulu, brings strategic marketing expertise and a strong background in digital engagement, including launching MTV’s TikTok presence. At Amigo, she’ll focus on building artist-fan connections through comprehensive campaigns. Rutstein, who previously split her time between Amigo and Prescription Songs, brings over a decade of experience in digital strategy, contributing to the success of tracks like LU KALA’s “Pretty Girl Era.” Amigo is home to artists such as Scoot Teasley, SNOW WIFE, Kim Petras and Ethel Cain. Petrillo and Rutstein both expressed enthusiasm about working together to shape a new era at the imprint. “Together we are ushering in a new era of Amigo Records while focusing on building comprehensive marketing campaigns for our roster that meet fans where they are – both online and in person,” said Petrillo.
Audible Treats, a New York-based independent music publicity firm, appointed major label veteran Cheyenne Beam as their new director of public relations. Beam was previously the director of PR at Interscope Records and has over ten years of experience in the music, entertainment, fashion and lifestyle industries. He has worked with artists such as Erykah Badu, Toni Braxton, Chaka Khan, Sean Paul, Swae Lee, Juice WRLD and more. Audible Treats’ current clients include artists like Sexyy Red, Chief Keef, Key Glock and events such as Baja Beach Fest and Sueños. Co-founder Michelle McDevitt praised Beam’s deep network, highlighting his ability to address client needs and manage teams effectively, adding, his “broad experience across both agency and major label systems makes him the ideal fit to usher Audible Treats into its next chapter.”
Oak View Group elevated Nick Vaerewyck to senior vp of programming and hired Danny Cohen as director of programming at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL’s Kraken. Vaerewyck will lead strategic content development across the Pacific Northwest and oversee programming, private event sales, service and ticketing. He joins the executive leadership team and brings experience from roles at Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment and Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, NY. Vaerewyck has managed over 200 events annually and aims to further elevate Seattle as a premier entertainment market. Cohen, with 15 years in the industry, will support all event programming. Previously, he led programming at Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder. Vaerewyck expressed excitement for the arena’s continued growth, highlighting Seattle’s rise as a top-tier venue and welcoming Cohen to help expand their world-class programming and industry impact.
Big Machine Music named Preston Berger as senior manager of publishing. Berger will join the publishing creative team in representing the BMM catalog and management of the company’s roster of songwriters. Berger previously spent three years at Black River Entertainment’s publishing arm. Prior to Black River, he spent time as an agent assistant at CAA. At the 2025 NSAI Member Awards, he was honored with the friend of NSAI award. –J.N.
BOARD SHORTS: The Nashville Songwriters Association International recently completed its board of directors elections and held the first meeting of the new term. New members Deric Ruttan, Lydia Vaughn and Dan Wilson joined the board, with Jimmy Yeary returning. Eight current members were re-elected, including Kelly Archer and Jessie Jo Dillon. Roger Brown was re-appointed legislative chair, with Rhett Akins and Caitlyn Smith as artist writer board members and Brett James as industry liaison. Officers for the year include Lee Thomas Miller as president and Jenn Schott as vice president.
Select Management Group, a top management firm for next-gen digital creators, announced several strategic promotions and new hires to enhance its services for digital creators. Lauren Fisher has been promoted to director of strategic partnerships, where she will work with top brands like Disney, Uber, Netflix, and Google. Emily Rifanburg joined as a talent manager, bringing over a decade of experience from ICM Partners and Strand Entertainment. Payton Booker and Natasha Trepel have also been promoted to talent managers, focusing on supporting clients across various verticals. Additionally, Katie Josiah has been promoted to talent coordinator, and Madison Dailey and Daisy Wright have been hired as talent coordinators.
Beatchain, an AI-powered A&R and artist services platform, appointed Holly Hutchison, Umesh Luthria and Nick Hamman as regional brand ambassadors for North America, Asia and Africa, respectively. They’ll support Beatchain’s global expansion by strengthening partnerships and driving business development in their regions. Beatchain’s tech helps artists retain their music rights while offering insights into audience growth and performance. Hutchison brings over 35 years of A&R experience; Luthria, based in Mumbai, has over three decades of business expertise and helped launch Muzartdisco Arena; and Hamman, a digital strategist and radio presenter in Johannesburg, has significantly impacted South Africa’s music scene. Said Beatchain CEO Ben Mendoza: “This expansion will help build stronger connections between artists and the global music ecosystem, making it easier for the industry to discover, develop and monetize talent on a global scale.”
The Zach Sang Show appointed Allie Gold as its new social media director, strengthening its digital and multi-platform presence. In her new role, Allie will lead content creation, community management, and multi-platform strategy to further engage fans with the show. Gold brings valuable experience in content creation and audience engagement, having previously served as social media strategy director at iHeartRadio LA and digital marketing strategist at Live Nation. She also played a key role in social media strategy for The Elvis Duran Show and Z100 New York.
ICYMI:
David Massey
Danny Hayes is stepping down from his role as chief executive and partner at Danny Wimmer Presents after more than ten years … Marshall Nolan has been promoted to executive vp and head of commercial strategy at Island Records … Sony Music announced that David Massey, who has served as president of Arista Records since its relaunch in 2018, will retire at the end of June. The company has not yet named his successor. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Board Buildups at ASCAP and iHeart
Danny Hayes is leaving Danny Wimmer Presents, where he has served as chief executive and partner for more than a decade. “When I first started my career as an entertainment lawyer, I never imagined I’d become a festival promoter,” Hayes wrote in email to friends on April 5. “But then I met Danny Wimmer, and […]
Island Records has promoted Marshall Nolan to executive vp, head of commercial strategy. Based in New York, Nolan reports directly to Imran Majid and Justin Eshak, co-chairmen and CEOs of Island Records.
In his enhanced role — he was previously svp — Nolan will continue leading streaming, physical and D2C strategy for the label. Since joining UMG in 2022, he has been pivotal to the breakthrough campaigns of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, the development of rising stars Gigi Perez, Lola Young, and Charley Crockett, and the continued success of Bon Jovi, Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato and The Killers.
Last September, Nolan was recognized as Billboard’s executive of the week for his role in orchestrating the leave-no-stone-unturned commercial strategy (radio promo, streaming, multiple variants to boost sales) behind Carpenter’s album Short N’ Sweet, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “The plan from the start was that every detail mattered,” Nolan told us. “We knew to double down on her strengths, in areas like e-commerce, and once we built a rhythm there, it afforded us the time to nurture elements that still had room for growth.”
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Prior to joining UMG, Nolan spent five years at Columbia Records as senior director of the commercial team, working on key projects for artists such as Adele, Harry Styles, Hozier, Beyoncé and The Neighbourhood.
Eshak and Majid expressed their excitement about Nolan’s promotion, highlighting his leadership, deep understanding of music and visionary approach to commercial strategy. “His strong, trusted relationships with our label’s artist roster and their respective teams have led to some of the most exciting commercial marketing campaigns in recent memory,” they said in a joint statement. “We’re excited for his next phase and the opportunities he’ll bring to our team and artists we support.”
Nolan emphasized the artist-first culture at Island, saying “Nothing is off limits if it benefits the artist, which opens up the boundaries and enables us to effectively deliver at the highest level on their behalf.”
The executive is also committed to philanthropy, raising awareness and funds for metastatic breast cancer research through organizations like BCRF and The Pink Agenda, inspired by his sister-in-law cancer battle.
Sony Music announced on Monday (April 7) that David Massey, president of Arista Records since its relaunch in 2018, will retire at the end of June. The company has yet to announce new leadership.
“It has been a privilege to work with David on the rebirth of Arista,” Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer said in making the announcement. “In two different eras at Sony Music, David has been a hugely respected key senior executive for the company worldwide and as a friend and colleague in both those eras I wish him all the happiness in his retirement.”
Founded by Clive Davis in 1974, Arista was the longtime home of Whitney Houston, Patti Smith, Carlos Santana and Barry Manilow, among other legends, before it was retired in 2011 by RCA executives. Sony Music Nashville continued to operate Arista Nashville, which featured Brad Paisley on its roster, until its closure in March 2023.
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Massey and Stringer’s decision to resurrect the Arista Records brand received the Davis seal of approval in 2018. “Clive was amazing about it,” Massey told Billboard at the time, “and I think we all just felt like it was a very natural, great opportunity to bring back a label that so many people respect and love seeing it.”
Under Massey’s leadership, Arista’s roster has included Grammy-nominated singer JP Saxe, Italian rock band Måneskin, and rappers Lola Brooke and Paul Russell, among others.
Prior to joining Arista, the British-born executive led Universal Music Group’s Mercury Records from 2007 until he became president of Island Records in 2013. During his tenure, Island was part of the Island Def Jam Music Group until it became a standalone entity in April 2014. At Island, Massey guided the careers of artists such as Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Tove Lo, The Killers, Fall Out Boy, Bon Jovi and Mike Posner.
Earlier in his career, Massey spent a decade at Sony’s Epic Records, advancing through the A&R department to become head of the division, and later executive vice president of A&R for Sony Music Label Group U.S. He also founded Daylight Records, in 2000, where he signed and developed Good Charlotte, Jonas Brothers, Anastacia and Phantom Planet.
Before his tenure at Epic, Massey built a successful career in London as an artist manager, working with acts like Wang Chung. He also ran his own independent record company, Big World Records.
Massey served as a governor and trustee at the RIAA from 2010 to 2015.
“It has been a great honour to spend this chapter of my career back at Sony Music, working with Rob Stringer, a visionary executive for whom I have the utmost admiration, and with the extraordinary Sony family worldwide,” Massey said. “Having started the label from scratch nearly seven years ago, I am so proud of the achievements of the team at Arista and our great young artists. I know that Arista will go from strength to strength in the future.”
Now that we’re all feeling sufficiently liberated, it’s time for 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 taxing amount of news this week, so let’s tarry no more.
ASCAP announced the results of its biennial election for the board of directors. ASCAP president and chairman Paul Williams revealed the 12 writer and 12 publisher members elected for a two-year term starting April 1, 2025. Newly elected writer member Claudia Brant, a 2019 Grammy winner for best Latin pop album, joins the board. Re-elected writer members include Jon Batiste, Desmond Child, Sharon Farber, Dan Foliart, Michelle Lewis, Terry Lewis, Marcus Miller, Jimmy Webb, Doug Wood and Alex Shapiro. Re-elected publisher directors include Peter Brodsky, Bob Bruderman, Marti Cuevas, Ree Guyer, Keith Hauprich, Dean Kay, Evan Lamberg, Leeds Levy, Irwin Z. Robinson, Paul Robinson, Jon Singer and James M. Kendrick. “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be elected to the ASCAP board by our songwriter, composer and publisher peers,” said Williams. “The ASCAP Board takes seriously our commitment to advocating for and protecting the value of our more than one million members’ music and upholding our principles of fairness and efficiency to maximize distributions to our members.”
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Ross Charap, a respected music industry attorney and a fixture in Billboard‘s annual list of top counselors, joined Barton LLP as a partner in its New York office. Previously at Arentfox Schiff, Charap and his then-partner Matt Finkelstein managed over $1 billion in music asset transactions and achieved significant victories, including policy changes at the Mechanical Licensing Collective that returned millions in royalties to songwriters. Charap’s clients include such up-and-comers as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Billy Preston, as well as numerous “Great American Songbook”-level writers. He notably defended the Rolling Stones in a copyright infringement suit over the track “Living in a Ghost Town.” Roger Barton, managing partner of Barton LLP, praised Charap’s expertise and commitment to the creative industry, saying “few can match his depth of understanding of the legal complexities and business realities facing today’s artists.” Barton LLP’s entertainment and intellectual property practice handles complex issues like trademark and copyright infringement, music clearances and intellectual property transactions, working closely with corporate and finance teams.
Exceleration Music appointed Matt Harmon as head of rights development, where he’ll work with partner labels like +1 Records, Alligator, Kill Rock Stars and Yep Roc to enhance new releases and catalog value. At Exceleration, he will lead label operations, focusing on A&R, marketing, and catalog development. A veteran of the independent music industry, Harmon spent over 20 years at Beggars Group US, rising from head of sales to president. He played a key role in overseeing Matador Records, 4AD, Rough Trade, and XL Recordings, contributing to their growth. Exceleration partner John Burk pointed to Harmon’s “deep expertise in independent music, coupled with his proven ability to drive both creative and business success.”
Encore Recordings appointed Jacob Fain as head of A&R and promoted founding GM Ned Monaghan to president. Fain, previously evp and head of A&R at Elektra Records, will be based in Los Angeles and report to founder and CEO Joie Manda. Monaghan, formerly head of global hits at Spotify, was hired as GM in late 2021 and will now oversee all company facets, including A&R, marketing, legal and finance. Encore Recordings, launched in late 2021, is an independent, full-service music company with a roster spanning Latin, Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, R&B, and pop, featuring artists like Dei V, Vict0ny, Uncle Waffles, EBK Jaaybo, Khamari and Saul Villarreal.
Entertainment business management firm FBMM announced a round of promotions in its Nashville office. Laura Beth Hendricks, Ben Huddleston and Abby Lamb have been promoted to associate business managers. Hendricks, a licensed CPA since 1996, joined FBMM in 2010 and oversees several clients’ full scope of business management. Huddleston joined FBMM in 2016 and built a team that primarily works with a group of music executives and high net worth individuals, offering services including bookkeeping, tax planning and more. Lamb has been with FBMM for a decade and supports a diverse range of clients including international touring artists, producers and indie artists. –Jessica Nicholson
Langham Hospitality Group appointed Andrew Grant as group director of music to develop a comprehensive music strategy across its hotel brands. Grant will oversee live performances, collaborations, and signature soundscapes to enhance guest experiences. As part of LHG’s Brands Operations team, he will establish industry partnerships, design global music programming, and curate special events for The Langham Hotels & Resorts’ 160th anniversary. He will also manage music curation at Eaton DC. With over 25 years in the music industry, Grant has been a Resident DJ at Ibiza’s DC10 and a producer for Barraca Music, as well as working in event production and logistics from roles at Aronis Group and the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival. LHG, a subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings, operates over 40 hotels worldwide, including The Langham, Cordis, Eaton Workshop and Ying’nFlo.
iHeartMedia will nominate Robert Millard as a director on its board at its upcoming annual meeting in May. Millard, former chairman of L3Harris Technologies, has experience in business, finance and strategic planning, and has served on boards including Evercore and MIT Corporation. Upon election, he’ll join the compensation committee and chair the audit committee. Meanwhile, Brad Gerstner will not seek re-election, citing other commitments following six years on the board. The company said in an SEC filing that his departure is not due to any disagreements.
Outback Presents expanded its board of directors with the addition of six industry figures. Led by chairman Leigh Feuerstein, known for building respected brands, the new board members include Dimitri Cohen (CIO, Raven Capital), Constance Schwartz-Morini (CEO, SMAC Entertainment), Jermaine Preyan (Young Money Entertainment), Ignacio Meyer (president, Univision Television Networks Group) and Austin Rosen (CEO, Electric Feel Entertainment). Their appointments aim to reinforce Outback’s leadership and drive long-term success in the entertainment industry. Co-CEOs Mike Smardak and Brian Dorfman praised the new members for their diverse backgrounds and shared passion for live entertainment. The expansion follows a big year for Outback, with nearly 1,700 shows in 283 cities and over 4.5 million tickets sold.
Symphonic Distribution elevated Colleen Shea to director of product management, Mónica Rodríguez to associate director of QA, and Alek Perepelitca to principal software architect, strengthening its product and technology teams. Shea, who joined in 2022, has led initiatives like Recoupments, a payment management system, and the redesign of SplitShare to streamline artist payouts. Rodríguez, with Symphonic since 2021, has scaled QA processes and ensured platform reliability. Perepelitca, part of Symphonic since 2019, has upgraded the company’s delivery infrastructure. VP of product Ali Lieberman praised Shea’s leadership and product management skills, while CTO Eshan Shah Jahan commended Rodríguez and Perepelitca’s contributions. Headquartered in Tampa, FL, Symphonic has a significant presence in Nashville, Los Angeles, Miami, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Ireland and Africa.
All Things Go Festival, the Maryland/New York music festival that recently expanded to three days, strengthened its leadership team with key hires. Kelsey McKenna joins as head of brand partnerships, bringing experience from Sunshine Sachs, while Sarah Pepper takes on the role of director of marketing and ticketing after working at Daydream State. Finally, Elise O’Leary, formerly of Live Nation, has been appointed community and content manager. Additionally, the festival launched an advisory board to help shape its future, featuring industry leaders Lizzy Plapinger (LPX, MS MR, and Neon Gold Records co-founder) and Lauren Glucksman (Apple Music).
Jeff Zuchowski (aka Jeff Z.) and Chad Doher launched Loaded Dice Entertainment (LDE), a full-scale entertainment company aimed at empowering independent artists. LDE offers a range of services including artist development, label services, marketing and distribution, and brand development. Jeff Z., with extensive experience in radio programming (Z100, WKTU) and digital streaming (nine years at Pandora, rising to svp of artist marketing and industry relations), and Chad Doher, a media mogul with a background in film (co-founder of Global Pictures Media), bring their expertise to LDE. Jeff Z. has a history of transforming industry relationships and producing high-profile events, while Doher has exec-produced Hollywood films including Arctic Dogs and The War With Grandpa, and created a platform for independent artists. LDE said it plans to announce new signings in the coming weeks.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Creative Nation, founded in 2011 by Luke and Beth Laird, added Alex Albanese as creative manager. The Belmont University graduate previously worked at Sony Music Publishing as creative coordinator for the A&R team. Creative Nation has also promoted Abby Holcomb to senior director, operations & digital, while Jayne Hamblin rises to director, management & records. Among Creative Nation’s clients are Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Kassi Ashton, and Oscar Charles … PERK PR & Creative Agency, a Nashville-based firm, hired Ali Patton as a publicist. Patton previously worked at The Nashville Briefing and The 615 House, where she managed social media and curated industry news. She also gained experience as an agent assistant at The Neal Agency, supporting music agents. PERK PR represents a diverse roster of artists, including Ashley Anne, Charlie Collins, Cody Cozz, Dallas Alexander, Dylan Jakobsen, Jordyn Mallory, Kiana, Madison Olivia, Sheyna Gee and Taylor-Rae, among others. Reach Patton at ali@perkpr.co.
ICYMI:
Lee Zeidman
Tim Pithouse was appointed as the general manager of Def Jam Recordings. Previously serving as president of Three Six Zero, Pithouse will now lead the label and manage its diverse roster of artists … Lee Zeidman, the longtime president of Crypto.com Arena, Peacock Theater and LA Live, is retiring. After 45 years in the industry, Zeidman shared with Billboard that he’s ready to move on from full-time work and “write the next chapter in the book of Lee.” [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Universal Music Canada Shores Up A&R Team
Tim Pithouse has been named general manager at Def Jam Recordings. Most recently president of the international management and entertainment company Three Six Zero, Pithouse will oversee the venerable label and its diverse roster.
In announcing Pithouse’s appointment, Def Jam chairman/CEO Tunji Balogun stated in the news release, “I’ve known Tim Pithouse for almost a decade, going back to our days at Sony Music where we worked closely together to develop and break several new artists. Not only is Tim a world-class executive, he’s also the rare person in our business who understands how culture moves and always has his finger on the pulse of what’s next. His breadth of knowledge and instinctive ability to interact with artists and their teams will be integral in helping to carry out our overall vision for the label. I’m thrilled to welcome Tim to the family at Def Jam.”
Currently based at Def Jam’s New York headquarters, Pithouse said, “Def Jam has long stood at the creative intersection of artistry, success and culture. Having the opportunity to be part of this dynamic team and again work with Tunji Balogun and his unrivalled style and taste is a privilege. I’m thrilled to be here and honored to help write the next chapter of this iconic label.”
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During his two-year tenure as president at Three Six Zero, U.K.-born Pithouse supervised various departments including management and representation, recordings and publishing, film, television and recording studios. He also assisted in launching global campaigns for artists such as Calvin Harris, WILLOW, FKA Twigs, Skepta and Kid Cudi, among others.
Before joining Three Six Zero, Pithouse created The Orchard’s global artist & label services division. In addition to signing Baby Keem, Tems, Daniel Caesar and Jack White there, Pithouse established stragegic partnerships with Human Re Sources, Nvak and Terrible Records.
Prior to that, Pithouse spent 12 yeas at Sony Music Entertainment. Based in Sydney, Australia, he held several posts including account manager and general manager, marketing & artist development. Pithouse is also an active advisor for the Metallic Creative Agency and the Creative Futures Collective charity.
Lee Zeidman, longtime president of Crypto.com Arena, Peacock Theater and LA Live, announced his retirement on Friday (March 28).
“After 45 years in the industry, opening numerous venues and hosting approximately 6,500 events, I have decided I’m no longer interested in working full time and will move on to write the next chapter in the book of Lee,” Zeidman tells Billboard. “I’m looking forward to doing whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want and however I want.”
Zeidman says he has agreed to assist with the leadership transition with an official end date no later than Oct. 31, 2025. The building’s ownership group, AEG, has engaged an executive recruitment team to find Zeidman’s replacement and is splitting the job into multiple positions.
Zeidman is a graduate of Cal State Northridge and got his big break working at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. When the Lakers and Kings decided to move to Downtown Los Angeles, Zeidman was the first employee hired at their new home, Staples Center, and he helped manage the construction of L.A. Live, one of North America’s first entertainment districts.
In 2020, Zeidman was honored with the Association of Luxury Suite Directors’ 2020 Visionary Award. Under his management, Staples Center, later renamed Crypto.com Arena, hosted nine NBA championships, three Stanley Cup Finals and five WNBA Finals. The arena has also hosted a multitude of sold-out concerts, awards shows and high-profile events, including the Grammys and funerals for Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle.
Zeidman says he has no immediate plans in his retirement but would like to teach and serve on the board of different non-profit groups or associations.
“I’m most looking forward to doing nothing,” Zeidman says. “Iv’e done this for 45 years, I’ve worked for some incredible leaders and feel incredibly lucky to have had this career.”
Elbows up for another 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 news this week, so let’s get started.
Universal Music Canada promoted Amanda Kingsland to vp of A&R, co-leading the company’s A&R efforts with Shawn Marino, the vp of A&R operations. Together, they’ll lead UMC’s A&R teams — located in both Toronto and Montreal — to sign, develop, and break new Canadian artists. Kingsland, who joined UMC in 2021, revitalized the country music roster and multiple projects. Marino, a 30-year industry veteran, oversees 80A Studios, the label’s multi-room recording space, and The Academy, UMC’s event space. UMC’s artists include Josh Ross, Sofia Camara, Mae Martin, Owen Riegling and thiarajxtt, alongside recent signings AP Dhillon, Lindsay Ell, James Barker Band, Sebastian Gaskin, and TyriqueorDie. Julie Adam, president and CEO, praised Kingsland and Marino’s leadership, emphasizing their role in investing in artistic voices. “Music – and the artists who create it – are our driving force,” she said. “We focus our hustle, passion, care, creativity, and abundance of forward-thinking ideas on helping the artists we work with achieve personal, artistic, and commercial success. And at the centre of our mission to sign, develop, and break artists is our industry-leading A&R team.”
Hopeless Records announced key hires and promotions as it cements its position in the indie music industry. Ian Harrison is promoted to executive vp, focusing on business development and global growth. Erin Choi becomes general manager, overseeing global marketing and promotions after nearly two decades with the label. Christina Johns steps up as vp of operations, while Nonafaye Williams advances to senior director of product management. New additions include Jen Darmafall as director of marketing and Rheanna ‘Caedance’ Lauren as program director of the Hopeless Music Academy, which offers music education to under-resourced youth in Los Angeles. Founder Louis Posen praised the leadership team — Harrison, Choi, Johns, CFO Al Person, and evp of A&R Eric Tobin — as a passionate, “caring and talented executive team.” He also emphasized the label’s commitment to artist development, highlighting the Academy’s launch as a dream realized.
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Universal Music Greater China appointed Vivian Xu as chief operating officer, effective immediately. Based in Beijing, Xu will report directly to Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO. In her new role, she’ll collaborate with the senior leadership team to oversee daily operations and identify market expansion opportunities. Xu brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Columbia China, Sony Music Entertainment China, Motorola Solutions, Sony Ericsson and Schneider Electric China. Xu’s appointment is expected to enhance UMGC’s capabilities and strengthen its position in the Chinese music market. UMGC represents a diverse artist roster, including Li Nong Chen, Sunnee, Tanya Chua and Guo Ding. It has also partnered with Modern Sky, which features acts like New Pants and Tizzy T. Timothy Xu and Adam Granite, executive vp market development at UMG, praised her strategic insights and operational expertise.
MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports — friends call-em “the MSG family of companies” — appointed Doug Jossem as executive vp, global sports and entertainment partnerships. Reporting to Jamaal Lesane, chief operating officer of MSG Sports, Jossem will lead global partnership initiatives across MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment while supporting sales for MSG Networks. Jossem brings over 20 years of experience in media, advertising, and management, previously leading Walmart Connect’s largest business unit and holding key roles at Twitter, Vice, Comedy Central and CNN. Lesane highlighted MSG’s topline brands, expressing confidence in Jossem’s ability to create “innovative solutions that leverage the full depth and breadth of our portfolio to create unique platforms and unrivaled exposure for our partners.”
Nathaniel Brown, former PR head at Warner Bros. Discovery, joined TikTok as global head of corporate communications, reporting to Zenia Mucha. Based in New York, Brown previously held roles at 21st Century Fox, MTV Networks and SiriusXM. At Discovery, he managed PR during the 2022 merger and controversial decisions like shelving projects for tax write-offs. Brown left the company in January 2024. Now at TikTok, he faces significant challenges, including a potential U.S. ban on the app, set for April 5, after President Trump delayed the law earlier this year.
Candice Watkins, senior vp of marketing at Big Loud Records and a fixture on various Billboard power lists, confirmed she is leaving the Nashville label after a six-and-a-half year run. Prior to joining BLR, the USC alum clocked a couple years as senior director of marketing and artist development at Universal Music Group. The news was first covered by HITS, which reported “big plans on the horizon” for the executive.
Red Street Records hired Jason McArthur as the label’s vice president of Christian A&R and publishing, to lead in developing and expanding the roster of Christian artists and songwriters at Red Street Records and Red Street Publishing. McArthur will oversee the label’s Christian roster, including Jason Crabb, Consumed By Fire, Cade Thompson and Iveth Luna, in addition to songwriters Brian White, the Ward Brothers and Crabb. McArthur previously served as vp of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment’s Provident Entertainment. –Jessica Nicholson
ATC Management expanded its U.S. team with new managers Dev Crawford and Jay Saunders. Based in Los Angeles, Crawford represents rapper Earl Sweatshirt and singer-songwriter Fana Hues, bringing extensive experience in hip-hop and R&B, including tour management for Snoh Aalegra and NxWorries. Saunders will lead ATC’s Nashville expansion, specializing in Americana, folk and all things roots. He previously worked with Marty Diamond and Mark Williams at Concord and now represents artists like John Vincent III and Kacy Hill. Both managers will continue signing new clients, joining a roster that includes Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and The Smile. They’ll work closely with Jackson Perry, head of management in North America, and can be reached at dev@atcmanagement.com and jay@atcmanagement.com.
Warner Music France launched Adore Music, a dance label led by Romain Pasquier, a 17-year WMG veteran. The label aims to showcase both emerging and established dance artists, leveraging Warner Music’s global resources to support talent in France and beyond. Pasquier, the managing director who’ll keep his senior role at label and artist services division WEA, is committed to honoring France’s electronic music legacy while nurturing the next generation. He is joined by Adrien Morin-Guardia, A&R and head of marketing, and Nicolas Klersky, A&R. Adore Music’s first release, “Need You the Most” by house duo Ofenbach, debuted on March 21. Parlez-vous français? Check out Billboard France‘s story on the launch.
Infamous promoted Jelani Wright to vp of festivals & events for North America. In his new role, Wright will oversee creator and publicity campaigns for North American music festivals, including CRSSD Festival, Lightning in a Bottle and its producer Do Lab, HARD Summer, Hangout Festival, Sand In My Boots, ARC Festival, Splash House, M3F Festival, and Electric Forest. Wright will also handle campaigns for international festivals including Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, Montreal’s Igloofest and Turin’s KappaFutur Festival. Wright started at Infamous as a publicist in the festival division in 2020 after graduating from the agency’s Fellowship program, an initiative that helps BIPOC candidates break into the music industry. Wright will report to Infamous COO Maxfield Frieser, who says that “Jelani’s passion, leadership, and innovative approach to earned media have been instrumental in evolving our festival campaigns and helping grow the division.” –Katie Bain
“Single White Female” singer-songwriter Chely Wright announced her new role as senior vp of corporate social responsibility and new market growth at facilities management firm ISS. She’ll drive impact by fostering client and community partnerships and empowering ISS’ 320,000+ employees. Wright’s initiatives will strengthen client relationships and celebrate internal culture, focusing on partnerships that unite corporate entities and community organizations. Wright was the first country artist to come out as gay in 2010 — read about her career transition in Stephen Daw’s new profile.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Matthew Miller, a veteran country music manager, joined talent agency The Familie, bringing artists William Beckmann and LEW. With 20-plus years of experience at WME, Red Light and more, Miller praised The Familie’s collaborative culture, while evp Royce Risser highlighted his expertise and artist-focused management approach … Monti Smith joined King Pen Music as creative coordinator after interning at the publishing company. He will work closely with CEO Kelly King and Amanda Roach, creative manager.
Brandon Holman joined Amber Health to lead industry relations. Previously, he was vp of marketing and wellness at Guin Records and co-founded The Lazuli Collective, an experiential wellness agency. Earlier in his career, Holman made stops at UnitedMasters and TikTok in various marketing and label partnerships roles. Amber Health, established in 2020, styles itself as the only full-service mental health and wellness solution for the music industry, focusing on supporting artists, tours, events and music companies. In 2023, Holman penned a guest column on how Guin prioritizes artists’ well-being, empowering them to create and share their music in a sustainable way.
The Circuit Group formed a joint venture with James Ahearn, founder of Buena Artists & Projects, to expand its global artist management team. Ahearn brings his roster, including Sparrow & Barbossa, Two Friends and Stevie Appleton/Collect 200. Ahearn praised The Circuit Group’s innovative approach and expressed excitement about launching his own division within the company. Dean Wilson, CEO of The Circuit Group, highlighted Ahearn’s impressive track record in artist management, adding, “his ability to identify and develop artists, foster impactful partnerships and navigate both the major label system and independent space makes him a perfect fit.”
Viamedia, the independent digital and linear advertising rep firm, acquired digital advertising company LocalFactor. LocalFactor’s founder and CEO, Evan Rutchik, will become Viamedia’s president and chief strategy officer, reporting to CEO David Solomon. Rutchik will drive Viamedia’s strategic vision, oversee LocalFactor’s operations, and join Viamedia’s board.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Billboard welcomed Delisa Shannon as its new shortform content director. She joined from Rolling Stone and started this week in the New York office. Also, new staff writer Mackenzie Cummings-Grady will officially join the team on April 1, based in NYC … The Hollywood Reporter made three key editorial changes: Beatrice Verhoeven dropped the “deputy” from her title and is now “just” awards editor, longtime contributor Brande Victorian joined as the deputy awards editor, and senior awards editor Steven Zeitchik is now senior editor of technology and politics.
ICYMI:
Fernando Cabral
Fernando Cabral de Mello was appointed CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Brazil as part of a new organizational structure … Avex appointed S10 founder Brandon Silverstein as CEO of its new Avex Music Group to enhance its U.S. presence and promote Avex artists globally … and longtime music manager Andrew Goldstone joined the team at Milk & Honey as head of electronic music. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Dizzying Changes Made at Spinnin’ Records