Executive Turntable
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R&B/hip-hop industry veteran Lionel Ridenour has been appointed executive vp of promotion at gamma. In his new role, Ridenour will oversee the company’s radio promotion efforts across all formats and genres. The appointment comes in the wake of Ridenour’s promotional work on behalf of gamma. projects by Usher, 4batz, Sexyy Red and October London.
In a press release announcing Ridenour’s appointment, gamma. co-founder/CEO Larry Jackson said, “Early into the formation of gamma., we oftentimes heard the critique that one of things we would be challenged to deliver on is radio promotion, for any artist at the highest level. So we challenged ourselves to roll up our sleeves and debunk that theory. And it is because of Lionel, his staff and our efficient spend in this area that we now have such an unbelievably strong radio market share for a company that’s only a year old.
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“Radio is still such an important mainstream access point to the heartland of so many countries, especially the U.S., and I am so happy to be able to have Lionel leading the charge for us in that regard,” Jackson added. “It’s also incredibly noteworthy that he’s the first African-American head of promotion in 40 years for any major music company (we’re not a label, of course) and I am so proud to be able to be a part of this historic moment in the overall business.”
Added Ridenour, “I’m thrilled to be joining gamma. and want to thank Larry and Ike [Youssef, gamma. president] for the opportunity to grow past the boundaries of industry norms and lead all promotion efforts on behalf of a wide variety of incredible talent. It’s gratifying to be a part of an intrepid company reshaping the manner in which careers can be magnified and propelled.”
Over the last decade, Ridenour’s Anchor Promotions has worked with various major and independent labels, including Warner Records, Alamo, Red Bull, Hitco and Geffen Records. Founded by CEO Ridenour in 2013, Anchor was the industry’s only Black-owned label services and promotion company.
Prior to Anchor, Ridenour began honing his promotional skills during his first industry gig as co-founder of the street promotion team Mainframe Records, later brought in-house by Capitol Records. His resumé since then includes supervising promotion for LaFace Records, Bad Boy and Rowdy Records. After a decade of working closely with Clive Davis at Arista Records — overseeing promotion for projects by artists such as Biggie, TLC, Usher, OutKast and Whitney Houston — Ridenour went on to lead the music departments at Virgin Records and Malaco Records. Last year, he received the Living Legends Foundation’s Music Executive Award.
Veteran music executive Dennis Ashley Jr. is joining forces with his son, Dennis Ashley III, to launch a new multimedia firm, Dash Media Partners, the pair has announced. According to a press release, the company will offer “a comprehensive suite of services in music, gaming, television and film production, events, branding and beyond.”
Ashley Jr. is a former partner at ICM Partners, which he joined in 2006 after two years spent operating his own agency. Beginning in 2016, he served as co-head of West Coast urban music division at ICM, where he first worked as a summer intern in the ’80s. While at the agency, Ashley Jr.’s clients included J. Cole, Missy Elliott, Trey Songz, D’Angelo, PartyNextDoor, Jeremih, Jeezy, Nelly, Mary J. Blige, Machine Gun Kelly, Marsha Ambrosius and Brian McKnight.
Ashley III is an entrepreneur known for successfully launching and scaling ventures across diverse industries, working with companies including Jordan Brand, Nobu, H. Wood Group and Triller.
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“With streaming platforms reshaping the way content is consumed and brand partnerships becoming increasingly integral to success,” the father-son duo is “well-positioned to leverage emerging trends…by merging Dennis Ashley Jr’s wealth of experience and industry connections with Dennis Ashley III’s innovative vision and fresh perspective,” reads a press release announcing the new venture.
“This is more than just a business venture for us,” said Ashley III in a statement. “It’s a chance to combine our passion for entertainment with our shared commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we believe we can create something truly extraordinary.”
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has promoted Emma Banks, Darryl Eaton and Rick Roskin to new leadership roles at the agency. The three veteran agents have been named co-heads of the agency’s global touring division, leading 340 employees across music, comedy and podcast touring as well as brand partnerships, tour marketing, private events and crossover opportunities in film, TV and books.
The promotions follow the elevation of CAA veteran Rob Light, who served for more than 25 years as CAA’s head of global touring. Light was recently named a CAA managing director, working alongside other company leaders in guiding the agency’s overall strategic direction. The promotion came in the wake of last year’s sale of CAA by majority owner TPG to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, CEO of fashion firm Kering and billionaire scion of a French luxury goods fortune.
“With the most talented team of agents ever at one agency, and serving the most influential artists in the world, we see unlimited opportunities ahead,” a statement attributed to Roskin, Eaton and Banks reads.
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“The live business has never been stronger nor had more momentum, and artists have never had more ways to express themselves and grow their careers, making this an absolutely incredible time to help chart CAA’s path for the future,” the statement continues. “We’re fortunate to have shared in the success, stability and uniquely strong culture that the department has enjoyed under Rob’s outstanding leadership. Our vision, and commitment moving forward, is to foster cutting-edge ideas that drive the market and ensure that CAA remains the most exciting and empowering agency for the industry’s best agents and artists to thrive.”
Banks has co-led the CAA’s now 60-person London music office since joining the agency in 2006. In addition to her new leadership position in touring, she serves on CAA’s internal agency board that focuses on the company’s culture of service, collaboration and excellence. She was the first female executive to receive the music industry’s coveted Music Industry Trust (MITS) Award in 2018, was honored with the prestigious Strat award in 2023 for outstanding contributions to the music business and serves on the board of Nordoff Robbins, the United Kingdom’s premier music therapy charity.
Eaton and Roskin became co-heads of contemporary music for North America in 2015, running the day-to-day operations of the North American touring department and supporting more than 100 agents and 280 employees. Eaton, who joined CAA’s mailroom in 1991, has played a pivotal role in the department’s expansion, leading its efforts to launch and grow its electronic, Latin, and hip-hop/R&B divisions. Roskin began his career at CAA and has worked in the touring department for 35 years. He was an original member of CAA’s internal agency Board and was part of the leadership group that completed the successful integration of talent agency ICM.
“CAA remains the dominant music and comedy touring agency thanks to a profoundly deep culture of collaboration, innovation, and unyielding devotion to clients,” said Light, who recently signed a long-term contract to remain at the agency. “For years, Darryl, Rick and Emma have been extraordinary partners to me in leading our touring group in North America and London, respectively. I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved to date and look forward to what they will create in the years ahead. Along with my new strategic responsibilities, I look forward to continuing to sign and empower great artists, creatively build long-term careers, and mentor young executives.”
CAA co-chairman/CEO Bryan Lourd added, “Rick, Darryl and Emma have long been among the most talented and widely admired leaders in the industry, not to mention three of the best agents in the world.” He continued, “The leadership role they each already play at CAA has earned them deep respect and trust among our colleagues across all departments.”
With employees in Los Angeles, Nashville, London, New York, Austin, Miami and Toronto, CAA’s global touring department boasts a roster that includes The Weeknd, Harry Styles, Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, John Mayer, Rüfüs Du Sol, Jelly Roll, Kelly Clarkson, Blink-182, Kelsea Ballerini, Peso Pluma, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Trevor Noah, Red Hot Chili Peppers and David Guetta. Since the end of the pandemic, CAA has signed Shawn Mendes, My Chemical Romance, Janet Jackson, Cody Johnson, Koe Wetzel, The 1975 and Bleachers, among many others. In the past year, the agency has booked more than 38,000 shows.
MNRK Music Group president/CEO Chris Taylor is resigning from his post effective June 28, the company announced Monday (June 3). Taylor, who will be succeeded by COO Sean Stevenson, is taking the company’s artist management division with him.
Based in New York, Stevenson will begin leading MNRK on July 1. He was promoted to COO in July 2022 after previously serving as executive vp/GM.
“We wish Chris the best in his future endeavors,” said Stevenson in a statement. “He’s been a great leader and partner over the years, and I look forward to continuing the growth of MNRK with the whole team.”
MNRK’s artist management roster currently includes Powfu, Lights, The Afghan Whigs, Diana Gordon Arkells, Delilah Montagu, Daniel Lanois, Alice Ivy, Robert Finley, The Wild Feathers and Great Good Fine Ok, among other acts.
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Taylor joined MNRK, at the time called Entertainment One (eOne), in 2016 to run the music division. As part of the eOne team, he was involved in overall strategy and the company’s sale to Hasbro in 2020 for $4 billion. In 2021, Hasbro sold the music division to Blackstone for a reported $385 million and eOne Music was renamed MNRK Music Group.
Taylor has been named to Billboard‘s Indie Power Players list multiple times.
MNRK’s artist roster includes High on Fire, Underoath, Ace Frehley, Kash Doll, Fox Lake and Pop Evil; it also distributes the Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang imprints. On the publishing side, it boasts deals with such songwriters as Lauren Faith, Destiny Rogers and 9am. According to a press release, the company’s publishing catalog includes 54,000 music tracks.
Longtime agent Lee Anderson has been named president of Wasserman Music, the company announced Monday (June 3). Anderson was a founding member of Wasserman Music’s executive team when the agency purchased Paradigm’s music division in 2021. Since playing a pivotal role in establishing Wasserman Music, Anderson has helped develop the company’s business strategy and growth […]
Day After Day Productions (DADP) founder/CEO Seth Shomes announced the hire of respected music industry veteran Melanie Davis as head of touring, along with promotions for Marc Ertel to head of creative and Erin Patterson to head of marketing at the agency.
Davis brings a wealth of experience to DADP, having previously served as head of marketing for ICM Partners’ concert division (2013-2022). He held similar leadership roles at Azoff Music, Nederlander Concerts, Live Nation and Bill Graham Presents.
“One of the things I’m most proud of in my career is that I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really wonderful and groundbreaking members of the touring industry,” said Davis in a statement. “When I first started talking to Day After Day Productions, I knew right away that this was the best next opportunity for me, and I’m thrilled to join a growing, efficient, and hard-working team as part of one of the hottest new companies in the touring space.”
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Patterson and Ertel’s promotions help solidify DADP’s marketing prowess. Patterson’s expertise within the department will be crucial in overseeing all marketing initiatives while Ertel’s proven talent in cutting-edge web design, development, social media and digital marketing further strengthens DADP’s creative capabilities.
“Melanie’s experience and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the marketing efforts for our artists and live events,” said Shomes. “Additionally, Erin and Marc’s well-deserved promotions recognize their exceptional contributions to our clients and agency and ensure a cohesive and powerful marketing force.”
DADP’s client roster boasts Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Missy Elliott, Ludacris, Flo Rida, Bow Wow, The Queens of R&B featuring Xscape, An Evening of Icons featuring The Commodores, The Pointer Sisters, El DeBarge and The Spinners, Staind, Aaron Lewis, “Hollywood medium” Tyler Henry, 98 Degrees, Rob Thomas’ Sidewalk Angels Foundation, Wayne Newton, Engelbert Humperdinck and more.
Davis, Ertel, and Patterson will be supported by marketing coordinator Justin Scott-Young and DADP’s central services division.
It’s time to drop the needle on another Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music. We also have an interview series spotlighting a single executive each week and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry figures we’ve lost throughout the year.
Denise Stevens joined Pierson Ferdinand (aka PierFerd) as partner and co-chair of the firm’s global media, entertainment and sports practice. Based in Nashville and Los Angeles, Stevens’ expertise is in talent, creative and tech across music, publishing, touring and other fields. She was previously a partner at Loeb & Loeb and this year made Billboard‘s list of top music lawyers. Earlier this century, she authored the bill that ultimately became the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act, which was signed into law in 2006, and she regularly offers counsel and assistance to songwriters and their heirs on copyright recapture issues. “I have known Denise essentially my entire career, having been on the opposite side of deals from her from time-to-time for more than two decades,” said Steven S. Sidman, co-chair of PierFerd’s Global Media, Entertainment & Sports practice. “I much prefer being on the same team as her, and I am delighted to finally work alongside Denise as one of the co-leaders of our group.”
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Alex Machurov joined the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) as head of business development, effectively immediately. At his new job, Machurov oversees the indie label trade body’s strategic partnerships and develops sponsorship opportunities for the org’s tentpole events such as the Indie Week Conference and the Libera Awards. The live events veteran arrives from Tandem, a digital charity fundraising platform he co-founded in 2020. He was previously chief revenue officer at Revolution Marketing and a vp of national event partnerships at iHeartMedia, but he spent the bulk of the last couple decades at Superfly, where he clocked 10 years overseeing brand partnerships and activations at Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and other festivals. “Alex’s expertise and his passion for the independent music community will enrich our current activities and steer A2IM to more expansive opportunities,” said Richard James Burgess, CEO of A2IM. “We welcome his vast network of connections and the knowledge he brings to the independent sector.” Feel free to contact Alex@a2im.org.
Warner Chappell Music UK promoted Andrew Howell to vice president of sync at the publisher, effective June 1. He’ll continue reporting to Rich Robinson, evp and global head of sync, and Shani Gonzales, managing director of WCM UK and head of international A&R. Howell joined Warner Music in 2016 following career stops at both Universal Music and Sony Music. While at WCM UK, his team has landed several branding campaigns and connected multiple placements in games, films and television, including The Crown, Space Ape and Saltburn. Howell and company also run a monthly sync writing sessions in Warner Chappell’s London studios. “Andrew’s collaborative spirit has helped him build relationships with the songwriters and clients who place their trust in him,” said Gonzales. “He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of our songbook and an unrivalled instinct as to what placements will work. He’s also an amazing mentor to his team, so this is A very well-deserved promotion.”
Anthony Martini and Rich Barner teamed up to launch the Nashville-based label and management firm Gravel Road. The venture’s roster includes Compton Cowboys, Randy Savvy, Justbrandon, and producer Scattered Brains (Jelly Roll, Struggle Jennings). Over the years, Martini has worked with clients including TYGA, Jelly Roll, Killer Mike, and Lil Dicky. Under Martini’s previous label, Commission Records, Lil Dicky’s album Professional Rapper debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s rap albums chart. Most recently, Martini served as CEO of Royalty Exchange. Serial entrepreneur Barner’s film company Global Pictures Media has worked with actors including Robert DeNiro, while his fragrance company was recently honored by the New You Awards for ASH by Ashley Benson. –Jessica Nicholson
Venue management giant ASM Global welcomed Andy Gorchov as the new general manager of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Gorchov will be tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations, management and promotion at the 65,000-capacity venue, the climate-controlled home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. Gorchov’s decades of ginormous stadium experience includes time as general manager of Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos, and he also led State Farm Stadium in Arizona, home of the Cardinals. “ASM Global has been a trusted partner of the Raiders for years, and we are confident under Andy’s care that Allegiant Stadium will remain one of the greatest sports and entertainment venues in the country,” said Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Raiders.
Romeo Entertainment Group, which books talent at fairs and festivals across 35 states, promoted three of its staffers and hired six more at the 70-year-old Nashville family business. Promotions at REG include Adriana “Dri” Valadez, Taylor Williamson and Carly Dibble — all upped to talent buyer/event producer. New hires at the firm include Scott Kernahan as a tb/ep, Briannon “Bree” Griffin as executive assistant to company leaders R.J. and Michelle Romeo, and Chloe Dubrovay, Ali J. Stinehour, Alexandra “Alex” Hargiss and Grayce Keefer as event coordinators. “These promotions and new hires reflect our ongoing commitment to growth and excellence,” said R.J. Romeo, president. “As we celebrate these achievements, we are reminded of the legacy of innovation and leadership instilled by my grandfather, Don Romeo, and we continue to build on this foundation with a forward-thinking approach.”
Nashville-based worship label Integrity Music and its parent organization, David C. Cook, have named Blaine Barcus as president of the imprint, taking the helm from Jonathan Brown, who will become chief global officer. Barcus most recently served as senior vp of A&R at Provident Entertainment, and has held leadership roles at Word Entertainment/Warner Music Group and Creative Trust. Along the way, he’s worked with artists including Zach Williams, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West and recent breakout artists Ben Fuller and Seph Schlueter. –JN
ICYMI:
Patch Culbertson
A Seoul court barred K-pop company HYBE from dismissing Min Hee-jin as CEO of its ADOR subsidiary label … Big Loud Records elevated Patch Culbertson to executive vp and general manager … Amy Homma, Jennifer Davidson, Jenny Galante and Matt Severson were promoted at the Motion Picture Academy … and run-don’t-walk to our annual 40 Under 40 list of the music business’ top young leaders.
Last Week’s Turntable: LOCASH Label Staffs Up
Big Loud Records has promoted Patch Culbertson to executive vp/GM. With the appointment, Culbertson becomes the company’s first executive vp, reporting to Big Loud partners Seth England, Joey Moi and Craig Wiseman.
Culbertson joined Big Loud Records as vp of A&R in 2017 and rose to senior vp/GM of the label in 2021. In his new role, Culbertson will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, strategize on commercial tactics and help to expand the creative development of the Big Loud Records roster. Big Loud artists incude Ashley Cooke, Charles Wesley Godwin, Dallas Smith, Dylan Gossett, ERNEST, Griffen Palmer, Hailey Whitters, HARDY, HIXTAPE, Jake Worthington, Larry Fleet, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, Lily Rose, MacKenzie Porter, Maggie Rose, Morgan Wallen, Shawn Austin, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Zandi Holup.
Prior to joining Big Loud, Culbertson served for eight years at Republic Records, rising to director of A&R at the company’s New York headquarters. His work at Republic included signing and/or developing artists including Aminé, Florida Georgia Line (via Republic Nashville), SoMo and The Naked and Famous. He also led releases from Colbie Caillat, Florence + The Machine, Mat Kearney and more.
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“Patch has been a critical part of Big Loud’s success for over seven years now,” England said in a statement. “He’s a brilliant strategist with an unmatched ability to process information and make sound decisions. Patch is a true leader that’s continued to invest in this company with his time and expertise, and his impact can’t be underestimated. This promotion is well-earned.”
“I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of our roster and staff these past seven years,” Culbertson added. “It is a privilege to serve these artists and work alongside a best-in-class team that is writing its own chapter in music history. A special thank you to Seth, Joey, Craig, and (Big Loud COO) Austen (Adams) for their support and leadership. They continue to show the world how to win with integrity, and I’m honored to be part of it.”
“What sets Patch apart as a GM is that he — like all of us at Big Loud — continues to keep songs first,” Moi added. “He applies his analytics brain and his firsthand understanding of artists and how they work best to every circumstance, while balancing the growth of our company. We’re grateful for his continued leadership.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a series of executive promotions as part of an organization-wide effort to unite teams on Wednesday (May 29). “As the Academy evolves, we are bringing teams together to create a better sense of shared purpose across the organization,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement.
Amy Homma has been appointed director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. In her new role, Homma will lead the strategic creative vision of the Academy Museum. She succeeds film scholar and TCM host Jacqueline Stewart, who is returning to her faculty position at the University of Chicago. Homma will report to the museum’s board of trustees and Academy CEO Kramer.
Homma has been with the Academy Museum for five years and is currently the museum’s chief audience officer. She previously served as the Academy Museum’s vice president of education and public engagement.
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Jennifer Davidson has been promoted to the newly-created role of chief marketing and communications officer, effective June 1. In this expanded role, she will oversee marketing and audience development, communications, digital/social and creative brand strategy for all arms of the Academy, including the Academy Foundation, Academy Museum and the Oscars.
Davidson has served as chief communications officer since December 2021.
Jenny Galante has been promoted to the newly-created role of chief revenue officer, effective June 1. In this role, Galante will drive diversified and global revenue growth for all arms of the Academy, including the Academy Foundation and Academy Museum. She will continue to oversee strategic brand partnerships, including Oscars sponsors and advertisers, and lead efforts for Academy100, a $500 million global revenue diversification and outreach campaign the Academy publicly launched in early May.
Galante, who joined the Academy staff in 2013, most recently held the position of executive vice president, revenue and business development and served as senior vice president, business development.
Matt Severson, director of the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, has been promoted to the newly-created position of executive vice president, Academy collection and preservation, effective July 1. He will oversee all collections, archival, preservation, registration, conservation and cataloging work of the Margaret Herrick Library, Academy Film Archive and Academy Museum. This role centers, for the first time, all collections and preservation efforts for the entire 23 million-item Academy Collection.
Severson began his Academy career in 1997 in the Photograph Archive. He became head of the Photograph Archive in 2009 before becoming the head of the Margaret Herrick Library in 2018. He recently edited the Academy Museum exhibition catalog Agnés Varda: Director’s Inspiration, published by the Academy and DelMonico Books last year.
Previously, Severson reported to Randy Haberkamp, executive vice president, Library, Archive and SciTech, who will retire from the Academy on Aug. 2 after 23 years. Haberkamp will continue in a consultant role with the Academy until next spring.
It’s time for another spin around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music. We also have a weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, if that’s your thing.
Sony Hall, a tech-forward concert venue in midtown Manhattan, introduced a new booking team made up of senior talent buyer Jack McFadden, talent buyer Alli Vega and junior talent buyer Niko Murray. McFadden’s career arc spans three cities — Chicago, NYC and Austin — and several venues and festivals (Union Hall, Austin City Limits and others) where he helped book early shows for an indie rock murders’ row including The National, The Walkmen, St. Vincent, Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend, among others. No slouch, Vega spent years booking D.C. venues Songbyrd and DC9 before making the move to NYC, where she joined the team at Bowery Presents. Murray, meanwhile, hails from NYU and has already cultivated experience at the Cara Lewis Group and Sony Music. Blue Note Entertainment Group operates Sony Hall, which officially opened in 2018 but began life in 1938 as the legendary Diamond Horseshoe nightclub. The venue, which retains much of its original design and decor while incorporating the latest Sony technology, is located inside the historic Paramount Hotel.
“This is an exciting moment for Sony Hall and Blue Note Entertainment Group as we strengthen and bolster our booking program, further introducing this iconic New York City venue to the live music industry,” said BNEG president Steven Bensusan. “Jack, Alli and Niko each have different and diverse backgrounds within the industry to complement and enrich our talent buying team.”
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Meanwhile…
Loeb & Loeb hired Monika Tashman in the firm’s Nashville office, as partner in the Entertainment department. Tashman joins Loeb & Loeb from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. Her expertise includes representing music talent in genres ranging from rock, pop, reggae, bachata and metalcore, as well as representing labels, entertainment-focused businesses and music production companies. She’ll also continue her New York-based practice out of Loeb’s Nashville office. –Jessica Nicholson
Galaxy Label Group, founded by country duo LOCASH, solidified its promotions team with the hiring of four. Joining the label, a partnership with Studio2Bee Entertainment with distribution by BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, are Kerry Wolfe as vp of promotion, Cheryl Broz as the head of national field promotion, Kristen Brust to handle national promotion strategies, and John Lessard — who is LOCASH’s tour manager — lending his expertise on GLG’s promotion and touring work. All new hires are effective immediately. LOCASH, comprised of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, is Galaxy’s first signed act.
BMI promoted Gabriella Natali to senior manager of media relations, an elevated role in which she’ll continue to spearhead PR efforts across most music genres (we’re talking pop, rock, hip-hop, gospel, classical, jazz and others). Natali is based out of BMI’s NYC headquarters and reports directly to Jodie Thomas, the PRO’s executive director of corporate communications and media relations. In addition to working on messaging for numerous marquee events, including BMI’s various award shows, songwriter showcases and dedicated stages at festivals like Lollapalooza and SXSW, Natali works with Thomas on PR efforts for BMI’s licensing and industry relations departments. Prior to joining BMI in April 2022 as a media relations manager, Natali spent two years as a publicist at boutique agency Big Picture Media, also in New York.
Lucy Pullin and Virgil Thomas joined UTA as agents in its music crossover division, which works with clients on projects that expand their careers to other mediums. Pullin, previously of ie: entertainment ltd, will be based out of the London office and Thomas, an Endeavor alum, is in Los Angeles. Recent wins by the crossover division include Post Malone’s dip into acting (Road House) and comic book writing, and Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason jr.’s behind-the-scenes work on biopics about Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Opry Entertainment Group promoted Anna Lemme to marketing manager for the Grand Ole Opry. In the new role, the Massachusetts native will plan marketing and promotional strategies to continue growing the Grand Ole Opry brand. Lemme has been with the company for five years, most recently serving as an artist & label strategy manager for Opry Entertainment Group … Leadership Music communications and events administrator Lindsay Doheney will leave the post on May 28 to join her husband in a job-related relocation. The organization is seeking a replacement for Doheney … Group Projects welcomed Emma Kiefer as director of A&R, working closely with co-founders Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett on publishing and management business. She most recently served as A&R manager at Boom Music Group.
Buchalter beefed up its presence in Nashville, adding eight attorneys to its office in Music City — “a vibrant and dynamic legal market,” said Adam Bass, the firm’s president and CEO. Joining Buchalter are Lauren Spahn, Jay Bowen and Lauren Kilgore, from Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley and Norton, along with Rebekah Shulman, Jim Zumwalt, Jacob Clabo, Aaron Steinberg and John Baxter. The Laurens are regulars in Billboard‘s annual list of top music lawyers, and both handle a wide swath of legal and business transactional matters for artists, publishers, writers, labels and more. Shulman, Steinberg, Clabo and Baxter specialize in intellectual property issues, while Bowen’s experience is in high-stakes litigation. Finally Zumwalt represents entertainment clients on a variety of matters. “Jay, Lauren, and Lauren, along with their teams bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication to our firm,” said Bass. “Together, we are poised to make a significant impact in Nashville’s legal landscape and beyond.”
Dom Wallace is the new label and marketing manager at Mahogany, where he’ll oversee release strategy for its label Mahogany Records and its flagship video channel, Mahogany Sessions. His appointment coincides with the launch of Mahogany Songs, the company’s new digital distribution and services platform. Wallace was most recently a senior editor at Spotify, where he helped launch several taste-making playlists, including “Our Generation” and “Fresh Finds UK & IE.”
GAME TIME: Cross-industry veteran Kimberly Knoller is the new chief marketing officer at Earn Alliance, where she’ll spearhead the platform’s mission to connect gamers to games, building fandoms and engaging communities. For the last 14 years, Knoller has built out her own music and tech marketing agency The Knoller Group, where she’s worked with artists, creators, record labels and other companies on brand and monetization-boosting strategies. In the aughts, Knoller put in three years at Warner Records, where she did trailblazing work as vp of direct to fan marketing, e-commerce and innovation. She has also held senior roles at unPaired and PIXELYNX … Metaverse studio Karta, which creates in-game experiential marketing across Fortnite, Roblox and other games, hired Morgan Evans as its new fashion and beauty director, and Sarah Richards as art director.
ICYMI:
Jared Cotter
Jared Cotter was promoted to partner at Range Music, where he manages Paul Russell (“Lil Boo Thing”) and co-manages Shaboozey (“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”) … Jason Miller is leaving operational responsibilities at ELA, the joint venture he launched with CTS Eventim in 2021 … and Tekno joined Mr. Eazi’s independent music company emPawa Africa as an investor and a partner.
Last Week’s Turntable: Texas Official Joins Big Loud