Executive Turntable
Page: 3
After opening its doors in early 2018, It didn’t take long for multi-venue dance destination Avant Garder to dominate New York’s nightlife scene. Each year, the indoor/outdoor complex that includes Brooklyn Mirage, the Kings Hall and Great Hall has attracted some of the biggest names in dance, including a busy 2024 season that saw sellouts by Black Coffee, Swedish House Mafia, DavidGuetta, Gesaffelstein, Diplo, Anderson. Paak, Carl Cox, Deadmau5 and Three 6 Mafia.
That success comes in spite of the high-profile September 2023 collapse of the Electric Zoo festival — the Randall’s Island EDM festival purchased by Avant Gardner co-founder Billy Bildstein and the company’s former chief creative officer Philipp Wiederkehr the year before. Once a staple of the New York festival scene, the 2023 version of Electric Zoo was marred by missed permit deadlines, rampant overcrowding and safety violations later cited by former ally turned critic, Mayor Eric Adams.
Trending on Billboard
“It’s something I wanted to address head-on,” says Josh Wyatt, Avant Gardner’s new CEO, who officially begins his new role on Wednesday (Oct. 23) but has spent the last several months working behind the scenes to settle any lingering issues in the aftermath of the Electric Zoo debacle. “If I were to make a constructive criticism of the company in the past, it’s that they have not always done a good job of communicating with the various [Electric Zoo] stakeholders.”
“Over the last eight weeks, I have reached out to every key stakeholder in Electric Zoo and I’ve made them whole,” Wyatt added of refunding ticket holders, settling with vendors and managing small litigation issues. “I’m proud of that.”
Wyatt counts two decades of experience in the hospitality and nightlife sectors, including his most recent tenure as CEO of the members-only social club NeueHouse and its sister company, the photography museum Fotografiska. He also served as president of Equinox Hotels and as co-founder/managing partner of Generator Hostels.
Wyatt joins Avant Gardner after the company brought on a new unnamed investor, which has “inject(ed) the company with growth capital to allow myself as the new CEO to really operate the company,” he says, adding that Bildstein will serve as “my partner in this journey” as founder/creative director. Together, the two will explore the first phase of experiential evolution inside Avant Gardner with a handful of new initiatives including the launch of a music venue/mocktail bar, as well as new community spaces like a hi-fi listening room for audiophiles and immersive art and visual studios for guests.
“That’s the trend that’s happening right now and It’s something that we see a lot of our guests asking for — places to chill out and refresh,” Wyatt says.
LONDON — Jeff Jones will step down as the CEO of The Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd after 17 years in the role, the company has announced (Oct. 21). Apple Corps Ltd was founded in 1968 by the Fab Four to control the band’s interests across music, film, publishing and more. The role of CEO was […]
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 good news and also check out Billboard‘s annual list of music’s highest compensated executives, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, 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.
Capitol Records appointed Justin Grant as senior vice president and head of urban digital — putting him in charge of digital marketing efforts for R&B and hip-hop artists across Capitol, Motown and Priority Records. Grant spent a decade at Atlantic Records, rising from intern to vp of digital marketing & sports partnerships, where he worked with artists like Cardi B, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black and NBA YoungBoy. Additionally, Capitol promoted Dante Smith to head of Motown digital. Smith will manage digital campaigns, direct-to-consumer efforts and brand development for the storied label. Since joining Capitol in 2020, Smith has collaborated with artists such as Ice Spice, Quavo, Lil Yachty and Kali Uchis. Grant will be based in NYC while Smith works out of Capitol’s Hollywood headquarters. In comments about both executives, Capitol Music Group chairman and CEO Tom March said Grant “knows what it takes to break artists” and is “hugely respected and exceptional at what he does,” while Smith has “delivered brilliant marketing campaigns for a number of years now for artists across the roster.”
Trending on Billboard
Creative agency WMA appointed Sony Music veteran Mike O’Keefe as global vice president of creative, effective immediately. With three decades of experience under his belt, O’Keefe joins in a creative and strategic consultancy role and will help oversee bigger 360 creative projects at WMA. O’Keefe started his career in the early 1990s with Conspiracy Films and Oil Factory before joining Sony Music in 1995. At Sony, he worked on notable projects like Jamiroquai’s groundbreaking “Virtual Insanity” video and later became vp of creative at the label. He has collaborated with artists such as One Direction, Kasabian, Little Mix and Calvin Harris. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, WMA has delivered award-clinching campaigns for clients like Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Dolly Parton and Spotify, among others. Founder and Global CEO Seb Weller expressed pride in WMA’s decade-long journey and said he was thrilled to work with O’Keefe again, while global vp Crystina Cinti called it an exciting to be “working with such a legend,” adding, “Mike’s credibility and experience in the industry is immense and he joins us at a significant time.”
Prescription Songs promoted Rachel Wein to senior director of A&R. Throughout her more than seven year with the company, Wein has played a key role in expanding Prescription’s Nashville roster to over 30 songwriters, artists, and producers, contributing to the company’s broader network of 150 acts. In her elevated role, Wein will continue managing roster artists and songwriters, including Morgan Nagler, known for co-writing “Kyoto” with Phoebe Bridgers, a Grammy-nominated hit. Under Wein’s leadership, Nagler has collaborated with mxmtoon, Astrid S, Maddie Zahm, and more. Wein has also been instrumental in developing emerging acts like JORDY, Greyson Chance, and Parson James, while overseeing top producers such as Sean Small (Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson) and Spellz (Wizkid, Burna Boy). Wein joined Prescription Songs in 2017 as the first hire in their Nashville office. Outside of music, Wein actively supports community initiatives, serving on leadership boards for Family Alliance in Music and Salt Lick Incubator. She also mentors LGBTQ+ youth through Youth Villages and was honored with the Marchetti Impact Award for her efforts with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Katie Fagan, Prescription Songs’ head of A&R, praised Wein as an “integral part of our growth as a team here in Nashville and I’m looking forward to seeing her win big in the coming years,” while Wein expressed her excitement about continuing to work with the “simply unmatched” company.
Universal Music Group Nashville promoted Damon Moberly to the role of senior vp of promotion. Moberly has been with the label group for over 25 years, most recently serving as senior vp and head of the Mercury Nashville imprint’s radio promotion team. Moberly launched his country radio promotion career with work on the launch of Shania Twain’s Come On Over album and has since aided in the careers of artists including Jamey Johnson, Terri Clark, Chris Stapleton and The War and Treaty, in addition to working special projects including an Eagles single to country radio and the breakout hit “Man of Constant Sorrow” from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. –Jessica Nicholson
NASHVILLE NOTES: Concord named Anke Becker as vice president, information technology. Becker will be based in Concord’s London office and will report to Jonathan Eby, Concord senior vp, information services and technology. Becker previously spent a decade at BMG, where she led the creation of BMG’s proprietary client portal … Gabb, makers of kid-safe tech and the Gabb Music streaming service, hired Sidney Coury as its new digital operations coordinator. Earlier this year, Marco Vega joined the team as music coordinator. Coury previously worked at Olivia Management, while Vega has worked at Universal Music Publishing Group and Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy. The hires coincide with the opening of Gabb Music’s new office on Music Row in Nashville (1030 16th Ave S), and Gabb HQ’s recent move to an expanded facility in Lehi, Utah.
CD Baby, a division of Downtown Music, appointed Jean Mischler as senior vp of marketing. Based in New York, Mischler will oversee marketing for CD Baby and its direct-to-creator services, including Soundrop and CD Baby Stages. Reporting to CD Baby president Molly Neuman, she’ll lead initiatives to help independent artists grow their fanbase and visibility globally. Mischler previously served as vp of growth marketing at Sofar Sounds, where she boosted ticket sales and revenue through social media, email and partnerships. Neuman noted Mischler’s nearly 20 years of experience, saying “her approach to marketing and deep understanding of the independent music landscape will be instrumental as we expand CD Baby’s reach to independent artists around the world.”
Believe introduced a new global music strategy led by Romain Vivien, its global head of music and president for Europe. The strategy focuses on enhancing artist development and creating more value for artists and labels at all career stages. As prez of Europe, Vivien oversees operations in France, the UK, and Germany — and collaborates with teams across 50 markets to design and implement strategies that accelerate Believe’s “Artist Services” business, supporting digital artists across 14+ countries. He’ll also work to strengthen Believe’s “Label & Artist Solutions” offering by aligning distribution, marketing, digital promotion and publishing services. Denis Ladegaillerie, Believe’s founder and CEO, praised Vivien’s leadership in scaling the company’s global presence. “He has been instrumental in building our music vision across the group,” he said. “Constantly leading his teams to innovate and push barriers to enable the emergence of new talents across hip-hop, pop, electronic music and more – all the while sustaining an impeccable delivery of premium services to our top artists and labels.”
RADIO, RADIO: Juan Navarro was promoted to chief revenue officer of Entravision Communications, replacing Karl Meyer, who was dismissed following challenges related to the loss of Meta’s Authorized Sales Partner program. Despite this setback, Entravision reported a 12% increase in net revenue for Q2 2024. Navarro brings over 20 years of media experience to his new role, having previously served as executive vp of local sales and integrated marketing solutions and as regional vp of integrated marketing solutions … iHeartMedia division and region president Tom McConnell is retiring after nearly 30 years with the company, leading to an executive restructure. Eddie Martiny, currently Houston region president, will become division president for the big four Texas markets (San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Houston), as well as New Orleans and Baton Rouge. John Karpinski, evp of strategic partnerships, will take on the role of division president for markets in the Carolinas, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Memphis, and Kentucky.
JET Management added veteran manager Elena Awbrey to its team. Awbrey’s career began in Live Nation’s touring department before she transitioned to management, working with Motley Crüe and discovering Mannequin Pussy. She later managed Miguel at Atom Factory, guiding his Grammy-nominated albums. At Career Artist Management and Roc Nation, she developed artists like Chika, a 2020 XXL Freshman and Grammy-nominated Best New Artist. Awbrey, who also founded Moonshot Management, was named one of Billboard’s 2020 Changemakers. Founded in 2020 by John Scholz and Tyler Goldberg, JET’s roster features top-tier talent like Justice, Suki Waterhouse, LP Giobbi, Madeon, Sam Gellaitry, and Girl Talk. JET is also partnered with Firebird, a next-generation music company.
Granderson Des Rochers appointed Joey Seiler as senior counsel in its New Media practice. Seiler, a seasoned music licensing attorney, joins from Block, where he led TIDAL’s licensing team. With over a decade of experience, he has worked with labels, digital service providers and creatives to license music for innovative business models. His career includes roles at Empire and Loeb & Loeb, representing a range of clients from startups to multi-platinum artists.
ICYMI:
Takeshi Okada
David Gray was appointed U.K. managing director of Universal Music Publishing Group, succeeding Mike McCormack, who is stepping down from the role after almost nine years in charge to launch a new consultancy and joint venture with UMPG … and Warner Music Japan appointed longtime Universal Music executive Takeshi Okada as the label’s new president and CEO. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: Sphere Sheds CFO
David Gray has been appointed U.K. managing director of Universal Music Publishing Group, succeeding Mike McCormack, who is stepping down from the role after almost nine years in charge to launch a new consultancy and joint venture with UMPG. In addition to taking the reins at the company’s U.K. arm, Gray will also take up the newly created post of head of global A&R at UMPG.
Gray’s promotion was announced Tuesday (Oct. 15) by UMPG chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, who called him “one of the best creative A&R executives I have ever known.”
Gray was most recently UMPG’s executive vice president and co-head of U.S. A&R, as well as head of the company’s Global Creative Group – a division which he and Gerson formed in 2022 to amplify opportunities for songwriters, producers, artists and executives on a worldwide scale.
Trending on Billboard
Successful projects that have spun out of the Global Creative Group include Colombian artist Feid and American hip-hop producer ATL Jacob‘s “Luna,” which topped the charts in multiple countries and Brazilian artist Luísa Sonza‘s album Escandalo Intimo, which became the third biggest debut of a female Latin album in the history of Spotify following its release last year.
Artists Gray has signed to UMPG include Sabrina Carpenter, Stephen Sanchez, Julia Michaels, Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato.
In his new expanded role, Gray will be responsible for leading the management and creative direction of UMPG’s London office, overseeing the signing and development of songwriters, artists and producers, as well as supporting the company’s current roster. Gray will relocate to London from New York in January, said Universal Music Publishing Group.
Announcing the appointment, Gerson praised Gray’s “talent for identifying and building careers for songwriters, artists and producers,” as well as his “leadership and mentorship of the next generation of publishers.”
“I want to thank Jody for her constant belief in me and for shaping a company built upon A&R, creativity, and a belief in songwriters and artists that is at the heart of our ethos,” said Gray, who joined the company in 2013 having previously held A&R posts at Zomba, Sony Music International and Simon Cowell‘s Syco Music, where he developed artists signed to the label via TV shows X Factor and the Got Talent franchise.
Prior to becoming a music executive, Gray was signed to UMPG as lead singer of the band Idle Wilds.
Gerson also thanked McCormack for “his many contributions” to UMPG over his almost nine years as managing director of the U.K. division. “I value him greatly as a friend and colleague,” said Gerson in a statement. “I am delighted he will continue to be part of the UMPG family.”
In a memo sent to staff, which has been viewed by Billboard, McCormack said he would be stepping down from his role on Nov. 4 but would remain a partner of UMPG for the next few years via a new joint venture that is being set up. McCormack, who first joined UMPG’s U.K. business in 1999, said he would also continue to help manage some of the long-term relationships he has built over the years with the firm’s writers and catalogues.
“It’s been a real honour to lead the U.K. company for the past nine years,” said McCormack, paying tribute to what he described as an “exceptionally talented and wonderful” team of colleagues. “I’m very proud of our accomplishments, and the many awards we have won together, but my real fulfillment during the past 25 years at UMPG (as Deputy MD then MD) has come from working closely with artists, songwriters and producers when incredible music is being created,” he said.
Warner Music Japan has appointed longtime Universal executive Takeshi Okada as the label’s new president and CEO, with a start date of Dec. 2. He’ll report to Simon Robson, president of international recorded music, who is temporarily overseeing WMG’s recorded business in the APAC region until a permanent appointee is announced. Okada transitions from EMI […]
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 music’s highest compensated executives, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, 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.
Sphere Entertainment announced the departure of David Byrnes, the company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Byrnes will remain in his role during a transition period while the company searches for a new CFO. The NYC-based media executive has been Sphere’s finance lead since January of this year and held that same position at MSG Entertainment before that. During his tenure at Sphere and MSG, he has played a key role in major transactions including the spin-off of MSG Entertainment, the sale of a majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality, and two stock offerings. Byrnes joined MSG following a nearly 14-year run in senior roles at CBS (and later ViacomCBS), rising to executive vp of corporate finance and then exiting prior to the company’s name change to Paramount Global in early 2022. Byrnes has not announced his next move.
Trending on Billboard
Sphere Entertainment, which opened its spectacle-invoking Las Vegas venue in September 2023 with U2’s residency, has since hosted live-wired artists including Phish, Dead & Company and current residents Eagles (they play tonight and tomorrow), and multimedia shows like Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth. During its fiscal year ending June 30, Sphere reported $273.4 million in revenue and full-year revenue of $1.03 billion, nearly double the prior year’s $573.8 million.
Meanwhile…
BMG appointed Melanie McAllister as its global chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective Nov. 1. Reporting to CEO Thomas Coesfeld, she will join the executive board and oversee key HR functions across 20 offices, including hiring, performance, development, DE&I and aligning HR strategies with overarching business goals. McAllister brings extensive experience from her previous roles as Chief People Officer at EasyPark Group and Megaport, and nearly a decade as Chief HR Officer at Arvato. She has also held senior HR positions at Oracle and other global tech firms and holds a Master’s in Strategic HR from Liverpool JM University and serves on the board of ENABLE Trust. Coesfeld expressed enthusiasm for McAllister’s role in shaping BMG’s future, adding “Her expertise, vision, and proven track record of combining innovative thinking with people excellence will have a transformative impact on our company.”
Johnny Pinchard was promoted to head of A&R at Believe UK, advancing from his role as senior A&R Manager. Reporting to Malena Wolfer and Panos Polymatidis, he’ll continue working from the London office. Since joining Believe from RCA Records in 2021, Pinchard has signed notable artists like Sea Girls, who reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart, and rapper Blanco, who has earned over 140 million streams in less than a year. He also signed Grammy-nominated electronic artist HAYLA, who won Vocalist of the Year at the 2024 EDMA’s. Pinchard is committed to developing new talent, including Sainte, Leon Vynehall, Grace Davies, and Sevdaliza. Believe UK Managing Director Alex Kennedy praised Pinchard as being “absolutely vital in identifying, signing and developing a wide range of artists that have formed the cornerstone of our success and that fit the Believe ethos perfectly.”
Jessica Vaughn
Raedio appointed Jessica Vaughn as vp of creative synch sales, a new role at the audio company. Vaughn will lead efforts to expand Raedio’s music library and sync services, aiming to deliver “Audio Everywhere.” Her responsibilities also include developing growth strategies for Raedio’s one-stop music library and collaborating with industry partners to secure music placements across film, television, advertising and gaming. Outside of her day job, Vaughn is a veteran singer-songwriter who gained attention in the late aughts as Charlotte Sometimes, releasing her debut album on Geffen and appearing on the sophomore season of The Voice. She now performs and records under the name LACES. In 2023, Vaughn penned a guest column for Billboard advocating for more creatives joining executive ranks across the industry.
Canvas Music onboarded former Spotify UK & Ireland managing director Tom Connaughton as partner and senior advisor of the independent boutique distributor. Connaughton joins to support Canvas Music’s mission of offering artist-centered, indie label-like distribution services. Canvas was launched in 2020 by Richard Lyne, who said the company’s goal is to “provide a great service with a great product but with more focus and less volume.” Connaughton expressed excitement about joining and highlighted the potential of Canvas to bride the gap between artists, tech and audiences in a “fair, artist-centered way.” Connaughton hit the exits at Spotify in late 2023 after five years in leadership roles at the streaming giant. Prior to Spotify, he served in various roles at Vevo.
Ineffable Records appointed Sage Ressler as head of synch, effective immediately. Ressler previously worked at Spirit Music Group, where she negotiated licensing deals and secured placements across a plethora of media formats. At Ineffable, she will work with marquee artists across the reggae, indie and Caribbean music spaces, including Sean Paul, Sublime, Govana, Protoje and Bob Marley: One Love star Hector “Roots” Lewis. Ressler will lead the label’s first formal synchronization department, which will focus on securing high-profile placements for the label’s catalog across film, TV, advertising, gaming and more. “The opportunity to help shape and lead the synch department feels like a natural next step for both myself and the company,” said Ressler. “Synch has become a uniquely powerful tool for storytelling, and it’s opening doors for artists in ways we’ve never seen before.” –Kyle Denis
NASHVILLE NOTES: Opry Entertainment Group promoted Jordan Pettit to vp of artist relations and Jenn Tressler to director of artist and industry relations. Pettit, who joined OEG in 2018 and has been instrumental in initiatives like Opry NextStage, will now lead OEG’s artist relations team, developing programs to strengthen artist and fan connections. Tressler has built strong industry relationships since joining OEG in 2020 and will continue to focus on creative artist engagement strategies, especially for the Grand Ole Opry … Rachel Derosia has been promoted to senior vp of comedy at Outback Presents. She’ll work with co-CEO Brian Dorfman and co-svp Joel Bachkoff to expand the division. The Rochester, NY native started her professional career in music, working at Sony Music before shifting to comedy at Zanies Comedy Club, later joining Outback Presents as a coordinator. She has managed and produced numerous tours, helping comedians transition from club to theater-level performances … Chandler Thurston joined Position Music’s A&R team as the first hire for their new Nashville office. Previously, he was senior creative director at Anthem Entertainment, managing talents like Jamie Paulin and Meghan Patrick, and overseeing hits such as Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out of It.” Before Anthem, Thurston worked at Major Bob Music, where he helped sign and develop writers like Alysa Vanderheym. He’ll be based at Position Music’s Nashville office, set to open in Q3 of 2025.
Jaime Kelsall joined Paladin Artists, effective immediately, reuniting with former colleagues from APA and The Agency Group. Based in Los Angeles, Kelsall brings over 20 years of experience, having represented clients like Dionne Warwick, Fitz and the Tantrums, ZZ Ward, and Michelle Branch. She began her career as an intern at the House of Blues in New Orleans, later working at Absolute Artists Agency in San Francisco, where she met Paladin partner Bruce Solar. Kelsall then joined The Agency Group in Los Angeles before spending over 20 years at APA. “We are all thrilled have the talented Jaime Kelsall join our team at Paladin,” said Solar. “We are excited to have her continue her journey with us that started so long ago and bringing her expertise and professionalism to our company.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Fairchild Media Group, a division of Billboard parent Penske Media Corporation, promoted Jim Fallon to chief content officer for WWD and FMG. Fallon, with 45 years of industry experience, will oversee editorial and content creation for FMG’s brands, including WWD, Beauty Inc, Sourcing Journal, and Footwear News. Reporting to CEO Amanda Smith, Fallon will focus on enhancing brand positioning, expanding audiences, fostering collaboration, and developing new editorial products. Fallon previously served as editorial director of Fairchild Fashion Media and held leadership roles at Fairchild Publications, including editor of WWD.
ICYMI:
Eric Wong
Warner Music said Eric Wong will shift from chief marketing officer to the role of global head of A&R, recorded music. He’ll also assume the presidency of East West Records. As part of that transition, WMG’s evp of global marketing Jessica Keeley-Carter has been promoted to chief marketing officer, recorded music … Chris Moncada is promoted to COO at MNRK Music Group … and former C3 Presents promoter Sophie Lobl was named vp of Rolling Stone Live. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: Sweet Relief Makes It Official With Executive Director
Chhris Moncada has been promoted to COO at MNRK Music Group, effective immediately. Based in Toronto, Moncada will oversee all day-to-day operations at MNRK, develop and implement business strategies, and drive strategic growth initiatives with a focus on A&R, artist development and catalog growth. He will work across MNRK offices in New York, Nashville, Toronto […]
As the Warner Music Group continues to reshuffle its executive ranks, the company has made two new announcements today (Oct. 7).
First, Eric Wong, who has been chief marketing officer at the major label since 2020, will shift into the newly-created role of global head of A&R, recorded music, and assume the presidency of East West Records, which was originally launched in 1955 as part of Atlantic Records.
As part of that transition, WMG’s executive vp of global marketing Jessica Keeley-Carter has been promoted to step into the role of chief marketing officer, recorded music. Keeley-Carter has been at WMG since 2019, when she joined as senior vp of global marketing, before being promoted to executive vp in 2022. Both Wong and Keeley-Carter will report to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl.
“Eric’s newly-created role leans into his long-standing relationships within the artistic community and his deep understanding of how music travels around the world,” Kyncl said in a statement announcing the news. “Jess is an expert marketer and an inventive leader, who will help us orchestrate best-in-class ways of cutting through the noise in an increasingly complex and cluttered world.”
These moves are part of the broader restructuring of WMG that Kyncl announced in August, which was in pursuit of what Kyncl said at the time was a “flatter structure” for the company. As part of those moves, WMG CEO of recorded music Max Lousada exited the company, and Elliot Grainge was named as the new CEO of Atlantic Music Group, while Kyncl himself took on direct oversight of the heads of global catalog, marketing, distribution company ADA and fan and merch division WMX. As part of the fallout of the moves, longtime Atlantic leader Julie Greenwald, 300 Elektra Entertainment chairman/CEO Kevin Liles and a host of senior Atlantic and Elektra executives also departed the company, among other moves.
Trending on Billboard
“I’m excited to build even closer relationships with our artists and put greater firepower behind our worldwide network to connect the dots, unlock new value and magnify opportunities for emerging talent,” Wong said in a statement. “I’d like to congratulate Jess on her promotion, and thank Robert for his trust in me to take on this new position.”
Wong, who years ago had served as a senior vp of marketing at Atlantic, returned to Warner in the global CMO role in 2020, after a decade at Universal Music Group that saw him rise to the role of COO of Island Records. With East West as well as his global A&R role, Wong will be tasked with “identifying local talents with global potential and accelerating their pathway to global success,” according to a press release. Keeley-Carter, prior to joining Warner, had worked at Meta overseeing commercial labor partnerships for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and prior to that had also worked at UMG, where she spent eight years.
“With the collective WMG team collaborating even more closely in our new structure, we’ll be set up to take our artists and labels to new heights,” Keeley-Carter said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Robert for this opportunity, I’d like to thank Eric for his guidance and partnership over the years, and I’m looking forward to continuing our work together.”
Welcome to the latest spin ’round the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
We’ve seen the departure of Spotify’s global head of music and a changing of the guard at Verve, but otherwise it’s been a fairly quiet week. Read on for [mostly] good news and also check out Billboard‘s just-released annual list of Latin music’s most powerful executives, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, 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.
Aric Steinberg has been elevated to executive director of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, the 30-year-old non-profit that delivers a lifeline to musicians and industry types facing financial hardships due to illness, disabilities or other challenges. Founded by folk singer-songwriter Victoria Williams in 1994 following the release of a star-studded benefit album on her behalf, the charity offers financial assistance to artists, composers, road crew, agents and others in the form of grants to cover essential expenses ranging from medical bills to housing and food. The LA-based Steinberg joined Sweet Relief in 2010 and most recently served as executive vp of development and artist relations, though he has been essentially filling the role since the 2017 passing of former director Rob Max. “It is long overdue that in 2024 we are officially giving Aric the title of executive director … as he has been embodying that position for many years now,” noted fund president Bill Bennett. “I look forward to an extraordinary future with Aric where Sweet Relief will continue to help more and more musicians and music industry workers in need.”
Trending on Billboard
Sweet Relief has assisted a wide range of artists over the years, most recently Sick of It All frontman Lou Koller and singer-songwriter Jesse Malin — who both have benefit concerts planned for them later this year. “I see a bright future for Sweet Relief as we continue to grow and help more musicians and music industry professionals every year,” said Steinberg. “This 30th anniversary year has been our best ever, and I look forward to serving the community in the years to come.”
Meanwhile…
Alen Torosyan is promoted to general manager of Warner Music Emerging Markets, effective Oct. 1, while Jonathan Jules has joined as vice president of creative. Both will report to Alfonso Perez Soto, president of emerging markets. This division is home to artists including Calin, Diljit Dosanjh and Joeboy, and covers rapidly growing regions such as Africa, Eastern Europe, India, and the Middle East, which have expanded through strategic investments and partnerships. Torosyan, with over a decade at Warner Music, was previously vp of operations for the division. Jules, formerly vp of international marketing and operations at EMPIRE, will now drive strategic leadership to WMEM’s A&R and marketing teams. Perez Soto praised Torosyan’s “unflappable” ability to multitask and carry out detail-oriented projects “without losing his forensic focus on detail,” and lauded Jules’ entrepreneurial drive and “ability to read the shifting sands of culture and music, anticipating tomorrow’s trends.” Perez Soto added: “Together, they’ll help us superserve artists and rapidly grow our business.”
Sony Music Publishing hired Caroline Elleray as vice president of creative, songwriter services, effective immediately. In this role, Elleray will lead efforts to support songwriters, manage catalogs and collaborate with global creative teams to explore new growth opportunities. The London-based Elleray reports to co-managing directors Tim Major and David Ventura. With over two decades of experience in music publishing, including previous stints at UMPG and BMG, she has discovered and developed artists like Coldplay, Keane, Feist, Rex Orange County and Mumford & Sons. Alongside her new role at SMP, Elleray will continue managing Second Songs, a publishing and management venture she co-founded in 2022 with Mark Gale. Second Songs, in partnership with SMP UK, represents talents like Victoria Canal and songwriters Matt Hales and Dan Green. “Her track record, the songwriters and artists she has worked with speak for themselves, showcasing her immense and relentless dedication for music creators,” said Ventura, who is also SMP UK’s president and svp of international.
Nashville-based record label New West Records promoted Tommy Robinson to general manager and vp of sales, while Brady Block was boosted to senior vp of media and reissues producer. Katie Keller has been upped to vp of project management, while Meg Barron rises to director of A&R and publishing. Brooke Nixon joins as vp of digital marketing, following a role as director of streaming at Big Machine Label Group imprint The Valory Music Co. New West’s current roster includes Aaron Lee Tasjan, 49 Winchester, Ben Folds, American Aquarium and more. –Jessica Nicholson
Universal Music Finland appointed veteran executive Petri Mannonen to CEO, effective immediately. Mannonen joined UMG in 2010 as a commercial director and in 2017 expanded his responsibilities to include overseeing operations in the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Prior to Universal, he was CEO of Viasat Finland (now Viaplay), a pay television company. The UMF roster includes KUUMAA, Mirella and Robin Packale, among others. “The Finnish music market is in a really interesting situation at the moment,” said Mannonen. “Music is now easier to release than ever, and as the selection grows, the role of major record labels is also emphasized. Our job is to focus on building long-term artist careers while taking care of artists. We want to offer our current and future artists a creative and professional place to grow and develop while making sure that their music reaches the right audiences.”
FUGA, the Downtown-owned B2B music distributor, promoted Renato Vanzella to general manager of LATAM, expanding his previous role as GM of Brazil to oversee operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. Vanzella will focus on business development, client relations, and partnerships with DSPs, reporting to Sarah Landy, the senior vp for the Americas. Since joining FUGA in 2019, Vanzella has significantly grown the team and secured key clients, including Elemess, MJC Music, Beeside Records, and Radar Records. Landy praised Renato Vanzella’s promotion, highlighting his “exceptional strategic vision and leadership” over the years. “Renato consistently has demonstrated a deep understanding of the local music landscape, and his passion for collaboration and client service has earned him the respect of our team and our partners,” she said.
Armada Music appointed Susanne Hazendonk as head of catalog, bringing over 15 years of industry experience from Spinnin’ Records and Warner Music Benelux. Having worked with top dance artists such as Lucas & Steve, Sam Feldt and Afrojack, as well as hitmakers like Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hazendonk is well-versed in both dance music and big ol’ hits. She’ll report directly to COO Jop Bonnike, leading marketing and storytelling efforts and overseeing the expansion of Armada’s catalog department and acquisitions through the BEAT Music Fund. Bonnike praise Hazendonk’s “unwavering passion and infectious enthusiasm for dance music, adding, “As we continue to prioritize the growth and evolution of our catalog department, we’re looking forward to working alongside Susanne to seize new opportunities in the market.”
Big Loud Rock added Zach Siegal-Eisman as vice president of digital and viral marketing, overseeing the imprint’s digital marketing strategy and execution, as well as artist growth and digital presence of both upcoming and catalog record releases. Earlier this year, Siegal-Eisman launched the marketing consultancy Amplify Legacy and previously worked at social media agency Crowd Surf and at Artist Network Management. –J.N.
BOARD SHORTS: The Music Managers Forum appointed Niamh Byrne as chair and Jill Hollywood as vice chair, succeeding Paul Craig and Kwame Kwaten, respectively, who recently stepped down after serving two three-year terms. Byrne, co-founder of Eleven Management, has made a mark with artists including Damon Albarn, Blur and Gorillaz. She brings a wealth of experience, having held roles at Universal Music UK and her consultancy firm The Engine Room. Hollywood, founder of Echo Beach Management, has managed both legendary producers and emerging talents, including current roster Jacknife Lee, Ash Howes and Ash Workman. Hollywood previously spent over a decade at Big Life Management. MMF also said that Theory Management’s Hide Whone is joining the board, replacing Clare Wright … Newport Folk launched the Newport Folk Stewardship Program, designed to recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to Newport’s legacy and challenge the “Folk Family” to innovate for the future. The first appointee is St. Louis-born Americana artist Nathaniel Rateliff, who’ll focus on artist advocacy, mentorship and fellowship, both within the Newport Folk community and beyond. He’ll serve a three-year term, with two years as an active steward and one as an advisor to his successor.
Nettwerk welcomed Ruth Wyatt as director of sync for UK and Europe, bringing her experience from Warner Music UK, where she successfully placed artists in various sync opportunities. Her notable achievements include Sam Ryder’s “Christmas To Me.” Wyatt said she’s looking forward to helping Network build out its sync opportunities across the UK and Europe, adding, “It’s never been a more exciting time to be in the sync space, with more productions being made than ever before and we’re witnessing breakout productions from the Nordics, Spain, Germany, France Australia, all of which are attracting overwhelmingly international audiences, subsequently creating global impact for our artists.” Nettwerk co-founder Mark Jowett, said Wyatt’s “expertise in achieving syncs is matched only by her passion for supporting great music and artists.”
Alphabeats, a startup using music and neurofeedback tech to help athletes improve mental acuity, announced that chief commercial officer and U.S. president Jorrit DeVries will assume the role of global CEO. Current chief Han Dirkx, one of alphabeats’ three co-founders along with DeVries, will move into the role of chief operating officer and lead the company’s product, research and development, and technology teams based in The Netherlands. As U.S. president, DeVries has overseen sales, marketing, product development and fundraising. Prior to joining alphabeats, he was global head of category development at Spotify, and he has also held senior roles at Samsung, Vodafone and Warner Music, leading teams in the U.S. and Europe.
ICYMI:
Jeremy Erlich
Verve Label Group promoted Jamie Krents to CEO and president, and Dawn Olejar to chief operating officer … Harvey Mason Jr. isn’t going anywhere … Republic appointed Mary Catherine Kinney as executive vp of artist & label strategy … Alicia Arauzo and Luis Fernández are the new co-managing directors of Universal Music Spain … Jeremy Erlich will be leaving his position as Spotify’s global head of music … and Narcís Rebollo has been appointed CEO and president of UMG’s spun-out Global Talent Services. [MORE]
Last Week’s Turntable: An Old Friend Returns to Budd
Verve Label Group, the jazz and classical specialists at Universal Music, has promoted Jamie Krents to CEO and president, and Dawn Olejar to chief operating officer, effective immediately. They will now lead the strategy for the entire group, comprised of storied labels like Verve Records, Impulse! Records and Decca Records US, along with international label partners Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon and others.
They’ll continue to report to Krents’ predecessor in the top job at VLG, Dickon Stainer, who was recently elevated to chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK and is keeping his title of chairman of Verve. Both Krents and Olejar are based out of the label group’s New York City offices.
Stainer congratulated Krents and Olejar on their promotions, highlighting Krents’ “long-standing reputation and commitment to nurturing and breaking artists globally,” and Olejar’s strategic leadership. He expressed confidence in their ability to lead VLG’s roster of legendary labels into the future.
Trending on Billboard
Krents started at Verve in 1998 as a temp and worked his way up to become executive vp in 2019 and later president of the group in 2022. He was crucial in finding and acquiring the tapes for the John Coltrane album Both Directions at Once and has been instrumental in expanding Verve’s artist roster beyond jazz, signing talents like Jon Batiste, Kurt Vile, Arooj Aftab, Joy Oladokun, Shabaka Hutchings and Samara Joy.
“For someone who grew up literally treasuring and studying Verve, Impulse! and Decca recordings, this appointment is beyond thrilling,” said Krents. “Getting to work with artists of the caliber that we have on the Verve Label Group roster is such an honor and it’s particularly exciting to get to take on this role alongside Dawn and the rest of the Verve Label Group team.”
Olejar, who has served as executive vp at VLG for the last seven years and added general manager duties two years ago, has played a key role in cementing Decca Records US as the leading label on the Billboard Classical Chart, and in recent years has led high-profile domestic campaigns for Verve artists including Andrea Bocelli, Ludovico Einaudi, Diana Ross, Lang Lang and Chad Lawson, among others. In this new role as COO, Olejar will have the continued responsibility of overseeing the team at Verve Label Group. Prior to joining Verve, she was general manager at RPM Music Productions.
“I’m thrilled to continue working with Jamie and our amazing team to build upon the great work that we’ve been doing at VLG,” Olejar said. “A very big thank you to Dickon for his endless guidance and support. We work with the most talented artists in the world and I’m excited for what’s next.”