Executive Turntable
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Welcome to an overflowing edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Read on for mostly good news and don’t forget to nominate an impactful executive for our Power 100 Players’ Choice Award, plus peep our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter and our helpful calendar of notable industry events and confabs.
Universal Music Japan named Shintaro Aki as managing director of EMI Records Japan. Reporting to UMJ president and CEO Naoshi Fujikura, the Tokyo-based executive brings over two decades of industry experience, including a successful tenure at Warner Music Japan, where he rose to senior executive producer. While at Warner, he notably spent seven years as head of Creative Room 1 (now known as Prescribe), the label home to Aimyon, Chanmina, Campanella and others. Over the course of his career Aki has played a pivotal role in developing artists like Superfly, whom he has A&R’d since 2007, Ulfuls, Ges no Kiwami Otome, WANIMA and THE YELLOW MONKEY, among others. Fujikura praised Aki’s proven track record for producing hits and strong relationships with artists, adding, “We look forward to EMI Records, which already has a long history and a broad roster of artists, continuing to shine under Mr. Aki’s new leadership.”
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Warner Music appointed Darina Connolly as general manager of Rhino UK, where she’ll report to Dirk Ewald, WMG’s svp of global catalogue, and Isabel Garvey, Warner Music UK’s COO. Connolly will lead marketing efforts for iconic Rhino artists like David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna and Prince, among others. Formerly head of music partnerships at TikTok, Connolly has also held key roles at Apple Music, Sony Music, and MTV, where she managed projects with artists such as AC/DC and John Legend. A strong advocate for diversity — spot her in Billboard’s 2024 Music Industry Pride list — Connolly developed inclusion initiatives including Apple Music’s Elevate program and TikTok’s #queersounds campaign. Connolly is enthusiastic about enhancing Rhino UK’s legacy, while Ewald and Garvey anticipate her positive impact. This appointment follows the departure of Tom Gallacher, who relocated to Scotland after ten years with Rhino UK.
John Storey joined CAA as chief financial officer, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in corporate development, strategy and finance to the talent agency. Storey previously served as president of finance and operations at Asurion, a leader in smartphone insurance. CAA president Jim Burtson highlighted Storey’s expertise in strategic planning and operational efficiencies, which align with CAA’s objectives to expand internationally. “His accomplishments in building for growth match well with our ambitious goals,” Burtson said. Storey, whose background includes five years as Asurion’s CFO and previous roles as a research analyst and investment banker, said CAA is “clear in its vision to create limitless opportunities for its clients and employees” and that he looks forward to achieving those goals.
Meghan Cassin | SXSW
South by Southwest appointed Meghan Cassin as senior vp of content, aiming to strengthen its focus on content to support creatives and broaden community engagement. Cassin, with 17 years of experience in global media, previously served as vp of content at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she led content initiatives for platforms such as Nat Geo Wild, Disney Plus and Max. Jann Baskett, SXSW co-president and chief brand officer, expressed enthusiasm about Cassin’s appointment, noting her passion for storytelling. “With new ideas around content and an audience-first approach, we know she’s the right executive to spearhead our efforts,” she said.
Downtown Music Publishing promoted Jedd Katrancha to chief creative officer, where he will direct the company’s A&R, business development, sync and other creative-y strategies. A Downtown veteran since its start in 2007, Katrancha aims to expand exposure and revenue for Downtown’s catalog by aligning creative efforts to capture new opportunities across various markets. Katrancha will also lead efforts to forge strategic partnerships, helping to unlock the potential of Downtown’s catalog, which spans legacy artists like John Lennon and Miles Davis to recent signings such as Colbie Caillat and Peso Pluma. Downtown president Emily Stephenson praised Katrancha’s “dedication to fostering and executing impactful creative strategies for our artists and business clients.”
Gamma, the Larry Jackson-founded media and entertainment company, announced two key hires this week: Mike Hamilton as senior vp of commercial partnerships, and Casey Compernolle as vice president of A&R and digital strategy. Hamilton, formerly svp of commerce at Def Jam Recordings, will manage relationships with digital service providers for gamma artists, while Compernolle, previously a top playlist programmer and emerging artist advocate at Apple Music, will focus on artist development and digital strategy. “What gamma. has accomplished in under two years is nothing short of remarkable,” said Hamilton. “As independent companies continue to dominate our industry, I am honored and excited to join such a talented & impactful team.” Compernolle added that she’s stoked to “help develop the industry’s next wave of independent talent alongside a phenomenal roster of artists and an incredibly talented group of creatives.”
Opry Entertainment Group named Gary Scott as chief operating officer. Scott joins OEG from Ridgeline Hospitality Group, where he served as principal/owner and provides counsel to clients in sectors including hotel, gaming, food/beverage and hospitality. His career also includes time at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and MGM Resorts/The Mirage Hotel & Casino. Opry Entertainment Group’s portfolio of venues includes the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, the Blake Shelton-inspired Ole Red, ACL Live at Moody Theater and Luke Combs’s Category 10. –Jessica Nicholson
NASHVILLE NOTES: 2911 Media promoted Scott Sexton from director of publicity to vice president of publicity. My top priority has always been to help our clients reach their full potential, and that will never change,” he said … The Familie added artist manager Emma Kyes to its Nashville music division. Kyes brings Sadie Bass to the Famile fam after securing deals for the singer-songwriter, including with WME and Sony Music. Royce Risser, The Familie’s evp of music, praised Kyes’ “drive and commitment” as “extraordinary.”
Matt Morgan, a former senior marketing executive at Atlantic Records UK, is the new creative marketing director at Trade Secrets Management, which represents Teddy Swims. Morgan, who joined Atlantic last November, played a pivotal role in the global success of Swims’ “Lose Control” campaign, which garnered hundreds of millions of views and established Swims in the UK market. Morgan, who also manages Amelia Dimoldenberg, Reggie Yates and Dynamo, signaled enthusiasm for continuing his work with Swims and the Atlantic team in his new role. His appointment is expected to enhance Swims’ presence and expand the reach of Trade Secrets Management’s creative marketing strategies. “Matt is one of the most creative and talented marketing minds I’ve had the pleasure of working with”, said Luke Conway, director at Trade Secrets Management. “His unique and impactful campaigns have been instrumental in breaking Teddy in the UK. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Trade Secrets team.”
Leftbrain named Larry Tyler as a business manager, where he’ll lead a team serving a diverse range of industry clients, from indie artists to major label stars. Tyler brings over 13 years of experience from NKSFB Business Management, where he rose to partner, and has previously held roles at Gursey|Schneider LLP and GSO Business Management, specializing in tour finances and client relations. Founder and CEO Nicholas Judd said that Leftbrain, now in its sixth year, is busy expanding its mission after initially focusing on business management for musicians through tech. “Now, we’re expanding our mission by partnering with like-minded business managers,” he said. “Larry’s legendary experience and vision make him a perfect fit for our team, and we’re excited to show what’s possible together.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Nicole Morano is the new associate vice president of communications at Penske Media, where she’ll oversee PR and communications for New York-based brands like this one, Rolling Stone and Sportico, as well as SXSW events in Austin, Sydney and London. Based in NYC and reporting to Brooke Jaffe, svp of public affairs and strategy, Morano will also support Penske Media’s New York executive teams, including licensing. Morano was previously director of corporate communications at Condé Nast and earlier in her career handled publicity at Penguin Random House.
Michelle McCarthy officially cut the ribbon on MCC Marketing Group, a New York-based agency specializing in live entertainment and sports marketing. The agency aims to create strong connections between artists, brands, and audiences through strategic campaigns for concerts, festivals and other events. With over 15 years of experience, McCarthy previously led marketing at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, handling major events like Billy Joel’s residency and Harry Styles’ sold-out shows. In 2024, MCC Marketing Group successfully promoted the “Rock the Country” festival series featuring Kid Rock and Jason Aldean, and David Gilmour’s “Luck and Strange” U.S. Tour, achieving sold-out shows.
RADIO, RADIO: Jeff Littlejohn, iHeartMedia’s longtime executive vp of engineering, is retiring after 32 years. Steve George will now oversee technical operations for iHeart’s 860 local stations. Additionally, Oklahoma svp of programming JJ Ryan will expand his role to include Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, as part of iHeart’s regional leadership restructuring. This change follows the layoff of Greg Chance, who had overseen programming for more than 20 stations … Audacy promoted Kieran Geffert as its new market manager in San Francisco, overseeing a portfolio that includes 95.7 The Game, Alice @ 97.3 and 102 Jams, among others.
ICYMI:
Greg Maffei
Liberty Media announced that longtime president and CEO Greg Maffei will step down at the end of the year, with chairman John Malone sliding in as interim CEO … Ikenna Nwagboso, the co-founder of label services and partnerships at emPawa Africa, will exit the company in January … and former MNRK Music Group president/CEO Chris Taylor officially opened the doors on Hall of Fame Artists. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: WCM Irons Out Head of A&R in Amsterdam
Liberty Media signaled on Wednesday that longtime president and CEO Greg Maffei will step down at the end of the year, with chairman John Malone sliding in as interim CEO. Starting Jan. 1, Maffei will serve as a senior advisor for the company, aiding in the changeover amid a planned spin-off of its live entertainment assets into a new, publicly traded business.
Over his 19-year tenure, Maffei led Liberty Media through significant growth, investing in high-profile companies including the Charter Communications, Live Nation Entertainment, the Atlanta Braves, SiriusXM, Formula 1 and DirecTV. The company said that under Maffei’s leadership, Liberty’s composite value has enjoyed an annual growth rate of 17%.
Maffei has held numerous leadership roles across Liberty’s portfolio companies and, post-resignation, will remain as chairman of Qurate Retail, Liberty TripAdvisor, Tripadvisor and SiriusXM, and he’ll keep his director post at Charter, Live Nation and Zillow.
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In a statement, Malone commended Maffei’s impact, particularly his strategic vision that drove Liberty Media’s evolution and asset growth. Malone credited Maffei with establishing Liberty’s current streamlined structure and Maffei expressed gratitude for his nearly two decades at Liberty Media. “He has grown our asset base and made the company better and more valuable for shareholders, along the way overseeing as many as five separate public companies simultaneously,” said Malone.
The announcement of Maffei’s departure coincides with Liberty’s disclosed plans to spin off its Liberty Live Group — consisting of Liberty’s 30% stake in Live Nation and its minority interest in other companies like Kroenke Arena Company — into a separate public entity. Before the split, Liberty Media’s subsidiary Quint will be reattributed from its Formula One Group to the Liberty Live Group in exchange for private assets and cash consideration determined later. The company said the moves should simplify Liberty Media’s capital structure.
Post-split, expected to be finalized in the second half of 2025, Liberty Media will focus mostly on sports, while the newly formed Liberty Live will become a separate publicly traded company, ending Liberty Media’s tracking stock structure.
Earlier today, Charter Communications announced it will acquire Liberty Broadband in an all-stock transaction.
“Following today’s announcements at Liberty Media and Liberty Broadband, all the Liberty acquisitions completed during my tenure are now in structures where shareholders can have more direct ownership in their upside,” Maffei said. “The corporate structure is optimized, and the portfolio companies are in strong positions with talented executive teams in place. While it’s never easy to leave an organization as dynamic as Liberty, I am confident that this is the right time.”
Congrats! You have elected to check out the latest edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Read on for mostly good news and don’t forget to nominate an impactful executive for our Power 100 Players’ Choice Award, plus peep our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter and our helpful calendar of notable industry events and confabs.
Lekeisha Irion is the new head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music Benelux — a nifty portmanteau for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Based in Amsterdam, Irion will report to Niels Walboomers, president of records and publishing in the three-nation region. Since joining as A&R Manager last year following a stint as an office manager for Sony Music Publishing, Irion has influenced Dutch pop and hip-hop, working with artists like Roxy Dekker, who has slapped four No. 1s in the Netherlands this year, Dutch singer-rapper Antoon. Known for her collaborative work with Warner Music Benelux’s recorded music team, Irion has helped secure both publishing and recording deals for several artists. Walboomers and Shani Gonzales, WCM’s Head of International A&R, praised Irion’s early success and strong instincts for new talent. “She understands how genres and scenes are evolving in different markets and spots the opportunities for her writers to jump into collabs,” Gonzales said.
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Sony Music Publishing elevated Racheal Conte to vice president of sample clearance, legal and business affairs. In her new role, Conte will lead the U.S. sample clearance team, modernize operations and develop strategies to expand sampling opportunities for SMP’s songwriters and catalog. She’ll also collaborate with global offices to streamline sample clearances for U.S.-based works, reporting directly to Peter Brodsky, evp of business and legal affairs and general counsel, from New York. Conte joined SMP in 2006 and has held various roles, most recently assistant director of sample clearance. “Racheal’s contributions have been key to the success of SMP’s songwriters and catalogs, and it has been rewarding to see her growth as a leader throughout her time at the company,” said Brodsky.
RADIO, RADIO: iHeartMedia laid off dozens — hundreds, according to reports — of staffers from radio stations around the country. Among the impacted in the sweeping cuts are regional presidents Matt Scarano (Chicago), Clyde Bass (Texas/Arkansas), Alan Chartrand (Boston) and Michael Burger (Raleigh), among others … Back at the home office, iHeart elevated Jordan Fasbender from general counsel to chief legal officer, with the former 21st Century Fox exec retaining her other titles of evp and corporate secretary … Audacy hired senior vp of research and insights Ray Borelli, who arrives after working as Warner Bros. Discovery vp of ad sales research.
Emily Crews, former vp of brands and synchronisation at Warner Music Australia, joined Level Two Music as head of partnerships. She brings extensive experience in synch licensing and artist-brand collaborations from her time at Warner and, prior to that, Universal Music. The Sydneysider said she’s excited about Level Two’s dynamic and thoughtful approach to music supervision, while managing director Jen Taunton praised Crews’ ability to “navigate through often complex and layered deals, always managing to find the ‘sweet spot.’”
Nashville-based Reliant Talent Agency has announced a round of promotions and hires, with former Paradigm music executive Keith Richards joining RTA’s festival department. Reliant has also promoted Ron Kaplan and Garry Buck to executive vp roles, while Kailey Edgerton, Cole Speed and Robert Baugh have been promoted from coordinators to agents. Additionally, the agency has relocated its headquarters to a new office space at 1610 West End Ave. in Nashville. –Jessica Nicholson
NASHVILLE NOTES: Kelli Wasilauski resigned as The Oriel Co. director of Nashville operations, ending her year-long tenure on Oct. 28 … Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem expanded with three new attorneys. J. Rush Hicks joins as Of Counsel, adding decades of experience and previous leadership at Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. New associates Cheshire Rigler and Alyssa Johnson also bring experience from other Nashville entertainment law firms.
Los Angeles marketing agency Game Over Media named Gavrielle Chavez as chief operating officer. Chavez will oversee operations across Game Over Studios, Game Over Agency, Game Over Records, and the new GameTune platform. Her role emphasizes expanding reach within next-gen communities and enhancing fan engagement at the company, where recent projects include campaigns for Big Sean, Childish Gambino, Imagine Dragons and Tyla. Chavez previously worked at Scopely, where she led product marketing for the popular game Monopoly Go!, and before that was a creator strategic at TikTok, where she launched TikTok Shop and fostered partnerships between gaming brands and creators. Founder Anthony Pisano said Chavez’s experience at Scopely and TikTok align with Game Over Media’s vision, adding “Gavi’s expertise will also be invaluable as we scale GameTune, our new cutting-edge AI platform that empowers record labels, brands, and gaming publishers to reach their audiences through strategic, data-driven marketing.”
Kuke Music Holding Limited, a NYSE-listed classical music service based in China, announced that its president, Li Sun, resigned in July. The company, which provides classical content to educational resources and boasts a library of about 3 million audio and video tracks, clarified that Sun’s departure was amicable, with no disputes over operational or policy issues. Following her resignation, CEO and chairman He Yu has overseen the company.
ICYMI:
Azu Olvera
Deezer appointed Pedro Kurtz as director of operations for the Americas … Former SiriusXM exec Azucena “Azu” Olvera is now general manager of WK Records … Alana Dolgin joined Atlantic Music Group as the label’s first president of digital marketing … Spinnin’ Records president Roger de Graaf is retiring from the Dutch label he co-founded … and Cara Hutchison was named head of The Lede Company‘s new music division, while Jess Anderson also joins her team. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: UMG’s Nigerian Label Picks a President
Deezer has appointed Pedro Kurtz as director of operations for the Americas, Billboard can exclusively announce today (Nov. 7). Kurtz—who joined the company in 2020 as head of music in Brazil and served as director of content for LATAM—will be based at Deezer’s Brazil headquarters in São Paulo and report directly to the global team […]
WK Records has appointed Azucena “Azu” Olvera as GM, the company tells Billboard. According to the label, which was founded in 2020 by executive Walter Kolm, Olvera will leverage her “extensive expertise in talent relations, A&R, global marketing and strategic partnerships to further WK Records’ mission of cultivating groundbreaking music and elevating Latin artists on […]
Alana Dolgin has joined Atlantic Music Group as the label’s first president of digital marketing, a position created to drive digital strategies across the labels within the company, including Atlantic Records, 300 Entertainment and 10K Projects. Dolgin, who is based in AMG’s Los Angeles office, reports to chief operating officer Zach Friedman and general manager […]
Spinnin’ Records president Roger de Graaf is retiring, a representative for the label has confirmed to Billboard. De Graaf co-founded the Dutch label in 1999 alongside Eelko van Kooten, maneuvering it through several eras of electronic music and quickly evolving consumption models, from CDs to DSPs. “In the beginning, we wanted to become the No. […]
Strategy, communications, integrated marketing and social impact consulting firm The Lede Company has launched a music division in Nashville, the company tells Billboard. It also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris.
Cara Hutchison has been named head of Lede’s music division, which represents artists including Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Rosalía, Shakira and A$AP Rocky. Joining the division is veteran music publicist Jess Anderson, who will report to Hutchison and company co-founder/co-CEO Amanda Silverman.
Most recently, Anderson served as senior director of media at Big Loud Records, founding and building the label’s in-house publicity department and working with artists including Morgan Wallen, HARDY, ERNEST, Charles Wesley Godwin, Stephen Wilson Jr., Ashley Cooke, Dylan Gossett and Kashus Culpepper. Anderson’s prior career stops include Sweet Talk Publicity, The Press House and Big Machine Label Group. She also serves on public relations task forces for the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
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“With Nashville at the heart of the music industry, we are incredibly excited to be launching this division,” Hutchison said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have Jess, a savvy music publicist with deep roots in Nashville, join us for this next chapter. We look forward to leveraging Lede’s relationships, storytelling, and communications expertise to help amplify the careers of such outstanding artists in this community.”
“Nashville has earned its place at the center of the conversation across entertainment because of the quality of talent and authentic sense of community that’s rooted here,” Anderson added. “The opportunity to help introduce a powerhouse agency like Lede to our town is a true thrill. Storytelling is the heartbeat of Nashville, and Lede crafts campaigns that elevate and highlight artistry in all of its forms. There’s no limit to what we’ll be able to accomplish with this partnership, and I’m honored to step into this role.”
Time to drop the needle on the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Read on for (mostly) good news and also check out Billboard‘s annual list of top executives leading the live sector, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter, our helpful calendar of notable events, and have you ever wanted to look at tchotchkes inside the office of an executive while reading their in-depth answers to the most important questions facing the biz? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.
Daniel Lang was elevated to senior vp of global society relations and digital rights at Warner Chappell Music, reporting to CEO Guy Moot. Based in London, Lang will manage relations with U.S. and international collection societies, focusing on optimizing digital income flow and ensuring timely payments to songwriters. He’ll also represent Warner Chappell in negotiations with DSPs including Spotify and YouTube, among others. Since joining Warner Chappell in 2017, Lang has held key digital licensing roles, strengthening relationships with partners and modernizing practices with collection societies. Promoted to vp in 2021, his efforts have improved payment processes for songwriters. WCM CEO Guy Moot praised Lang’s management of both digital licensing and society relations, adding, “It was an experiment to combine these remits and it paid off handsomely. I’m delighted that he’s agreed to take on this expanded global role as I know our writers will continue to benefit from his proactive, collaborative and inventive approach.”
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Mavin Global chief operating officer Tega Oghenejobo has added president to his title at the Nigerian record label, effective immediately. Oghenejobo, who joined Mavin in 2012, has been instrumental in Mavin’s rise as an African music powerhouse, fostering talent development — the label’s roster includes Rema, Tyra Starr and others — and securing strategic alliances, such as with Universal Music Group, which purchased a majority stake in the compny earlier this year. Under Oghenejobo’s guidance, Mavin’s international wins include Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez, which became the first Afrobeats track to reach over a billion Spotify streams, while Ayra Starr’s album “The Year I Turned 21” made her the first Nigerian female artist to chart on the Billboard 200. As president and COO, Tega aims to elevate Mavin’s global reach and boost its roster. Mavin CEO Don Jazzy praised Tega’s leadership and is confident in his vision to propel the company further. “Tega has been a cornerstone of Mavin’s success since day one,” said Jazzy. “His leadership, vision, and deep industry insights have been vital in shaping the label’s growth. His promotion to President and COO is a testament to his remarkable achievements, and I am confident he will continue to lead Mavin to even greater heights.”
Warner Chappell Music Korea appointed Sophia Hong as managing director, effective immediately. Reporting to WCM APAC president Arica Ng, the Seoul-based Hong will lead the company’s South Korean music publishing operations, focusing on market presence and business growth. Her role includes developing strategic initiatives, leading teams and identifying growth opps. Hong brings experience from roles at companies like Kakao Corp, MTV, Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop in both the U.S. and Asia. “Her unique insights, fresh perspective and curiosity about new approaches will enrich our work,” praised Ng. “We are committed to empowering songwriters and fostering collaboration, and with Sophia on board, we are well-positioned to create deeper connections with fans. We will collaborate closely to ensure that their voices are heard and their stories leave a lasting impact globally.”
Jayce Varden joined SongVest as chief strategy officer to spearhead the development of Songshares, a platform that enables fans to purchase fractional royalty shares in songs. Varden, who co-founded PledgeMusic and raised over $100 million through its crowdfunding campaigns, brings experience in fan engagement and artist support to the royalty investment platform. Additionally, Varden co-founded channl, a platform focused on audience engagement, and contributes as an advisor at Berklee Online. SongVest CEO Sean Peace praised Varden’s expertise in fan experiences and his alignment with the company’s mission to democratize music ownership. “Jayce’s pioneering work with PledgeMusic set a new standard for fan engagement, and his expertise in building unique fan experiences aligns perfectly with SongVest’s vision,” said Peace. “Together, we are taking the next step in democratizing music ownership for fans while empowering artists.”
TuneCore appointed Atticus Shelley as vice president of finance, reporting to chief financial and strategy officer Matt Barrington. Shelley will lead the company’s financial strategies, manage the finance team, boost efficiencies and will also provide financial insights to guide expansion efforts and other top-level decisions. Shelley brings extensive experience from roles at Hulu, Spotify, and Investi Financial Inc., where he recently served as executive director of finance. At Spotify, he was the founding director of the company’s financial planning and analysis team and was instrumental in the DSP’s rapid global expansion. In announcing the appointment, Barrington highlighted TuneCore’s focus on scaling its offerings and supporting independent artists, expressing confidence in Shelley’s leadership to drive financial operations and “act as a key partner to the business around our artist development and growth strategies.”
The Country Music Association‘s senior director of integrated marketing Michelle Kirk will transition to the CMA Foundation as senior director, effective Dec. 1. In the new role, Kirk will be instrumental in the strategic planning, program development, operational oversight and directing of the foundation’s inititatives. Kirk first joined the CMA in 2012 as strategic partnerships coordinator, and moving into a senior manager role before transitioning to WME as a brand partnerships agent in 2015. Kirk rejoined CMA in 2019 and was promoted to the senior director, integrated marketing role earlier this year. –Jessica Nicholson
Music industry veteran Latoya Lee joined Berklee as the director of industry and employer engagement. In the role, she’ll support students’ talent development and help them establish connections within the industry, promoting both creative and professional growth. Lee launched her industry career at Konvict Muzik/BuVision ENT, advancing from an assistant to an A&R executive. During a six-year run at Warner Music Group, where she rose to senior director of A&R, Lee contributed to Trey Songz albums, Flo Rida’s “GDFR” and the Furious 7 and Suicide Squad soundtracks. She also collaborated with Berklee grad Charlie Puth on his hit “See You Again” and signed Xenia Manasseh to a publishing deal. Later, as vp of creative at Atlas Music Publishing, Lee supported Grammy-winning projects, including Nas’s King’s Disease III.
Downtown Music‘s direct-to-creator division, CD Baby, promoted Nicholas Salomone to senior vp of business development and revenue, overseeing strategic partnerships and revenue growth across CD Baby and its services. He began his tenure at CD Baby in 2017 as senior content ID analyst, rising through the ranks to his more recent role as vice president of business developments and partnerships. Based in Seattle, Salomone reports to CD Baby president Molly Neuman, who said his “deep understanding of independent artists and their needs, along with his ability to foster strong relationships with our key revenue partners, make him the perfect leader for this role.” –J.N.
Leif Janzen joined Red Bull Records as vp of digital marketing, reporting to chief marketing officer Nikki Cox. In this role, Janzen will lead fan engagement and music discovery, focusing on platform development, partner management, paid media strategy and content creation for the label, home to Blxst, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and others. With over a decade of digital marketing experience, Janzen previously served as senior director of digital marketing at Capitol Music Group, working with artists like Aidan Bissett and Young Miko. He also held roles at Warner Music Group’s ADA, Victory Records, and worked as a talent buyer/media manager in Chicago.
Killphonic Rights strengthened its leadership team after securing funding from Stilwell Creative Capital. Industry veterans Syd Butler and Michelle Fantus join as co-heads of A&R. Butler, founder of Frenchkiss Records, has experience developing artists like Passion Pit, while Fantus brings over 18 years in senior A&R roles at Sony/ATV, Razor & Tie, Concord, and OneRPM, with recent work in creative partnerships at Spotify. Chelsea D’Amico becomes head of sync and creative licensing, adding a decade of experience from Mad Decent and Concord, where she worked with artists like Diplo. Michael Grubbs, previously head of A&R, shifts to head of creative, utilizing his background as an artist, producer, and composer. Jill Pedone, former head of sync, is now head of operations, leveraging her expertise from Lava Publishing and Sumerian Records and her longstanding collaboration with CEO Caleb Shreve.
Prodigy Artists promoted Eric Bindman to director of operations, supporting the LA-based music management firm’s growth and expansion. Previously a senior manager at Prodigy, Bindman has managed artists such as Audien, Elephante, Niiko x Swae, and Mattilo. With over 15 years of industry experience, he brings a multi-disciplinary background in artist management, touring, publishing, marketing and logistics. His prior work includes tour-managing acts like Deorro, Two Friends and Gareth Emery. Founded by Steven Haddad and Will Runzel, Prodigy Artists’ roster includes SLANDER, NGHTMRE, HEKLER, Wolfgang Gartner, and Bekon. Haddad and Runzel praised Bindman’s dedication and expertise since joining the company, calling him a “meticulous and skilled artist manager” who’ll “bring invaluable expertise to this next stage of growth.”
Better Noise Music unveiled key promotions and hires to enhance its artist development efforts. Jackie Kajzer has been promoted to senior vice president of radio promotion and artist development, recognized for discovering artists like Five Finger Death Punch. April Ginns is now tour marketing manager, responsible for strategic tour marketing plans. Victor Lang, promoted to managing director of Europe, will oversee BNM’s European initiatives. Finally, Frank Ehlers joined as senior label manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (GSA), bringing 20 years of industry experience to support artist growth in the region. BNM president/COO Steve Kline and GM Paul Cormack highlighted the positive impact of these changes, emphasizing the value of Frank’s expertise and the expanded roles of Victor, Jackie, and April. This restructuring reflects BNM’s commitment to a growing roster, which includes From Ashes to Ashes, Bad Wolves and The Hu.
SeatGeek appointed Mike Shane as executive vp of enterprise partnerships to enhance its growth and innovation strategy. Shane brings over ten years of experience from roles with the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Wells Fargo Center. Reporting to co-founder and president of supply Russ D’Souza, Shane will focus on expanding enterprise partnerships and advancing ticketing technology. D’Souza praised Shane’s industry insight and growth-driven innovation, highlighting his strong track record. “Mike has sat in the chair that our current and future clients are in, and knows the challenges they face as well as their ambitions,” he said.
ICYMI:
Boyd Muir
Universal Music Group’s CFO, Boyd Muir, shifted over to the newly created role of COO … EMPIRE hired Jeffrey Yoo as senior vp of East Asia … Over in Australia, Simone Schinkel stepped down as CEO of Music Victoria … UTA appointed Kirk Taboada, a veteran in the live Latin music scene, as an agent within its music division … Goldenvoice unleashed a new round of promotions within its talent buying group … and Dick Clark Productions appointed Diana Miller as evp of talent. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: TikTok Star Hooks Up With Jen
Boyd Muir, who serves as executive VP/CFO/president of operations at Universal Music Group (UMG), has been promoted to COO, the company announced Thursday (Oct. 31). Muir, who has been the company’s CFO since 2010, will hold the titles of both CFO and COO while UMG undergoes its search for a replacement. “Boyd’s done an outstanding […]