Maggie Collins, Jake Challenor Named to QMusic Board

Maggie Collins and Jake Challenor are appointed to the management committee for QMusic, the Brisbane-based trade association that produces BIGSOUND and the Queensland Music Awards.

Announced today, Sept. 30, Collins, the executive director of the Association of Artist Managers (AAM), and Challenor, co-founder of Sound Story, step into the committee following the elevation in July of Vivienne Mellish (as president) and John “JC” Collins (vice president).

“We are so pleased to welcome Maggie and Jake to the QMusic Management Committee,” comments Mellish in a statement. “So many excellent applicants put themselves forward which is a testament to the breadth of knowledge and commitment out there in our local industry.”

Maggie Collins

An experienced artist manager and broadcaster, Collins took the top job at AAM in 2021, and was instrument in the launch of the annual AAM Awards and Michael’s Rule, an industry code named after the late Michael McMartin.

It was Collins who announced Michaels’ Rule to the industry at this year’s third annual ceremony in Sydney. Also, Collins co-founded of Sound of Silence and led the music services business Morning Belle, which she shuttered earlier in the year.

Challenor, a veteran music industry entrepreneur, launched Sound Story, a strategic PR and communications agency, in March 2023. His name is especially familiar to readers of The Music Network and its sister titles; Challenor is the former publisher of TMN and Radio Today, founding executive editor of Variety Australia, and co-founder of Social Family Records and partner in Jaden Digital before that.

Sound Story clients include UNIFIED Music Group, Spotify, Untitled Group, Cedar Mill Group, and Vinyl Group, owners of The Brag Media, publishers of TMN.

Jake Challenor

“Maggie has a rich history with QMusic and brings excellent national policy and industry knowledge through her current work with the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) which will be an asset to our strategy to help propel our Queensland music economy forward,” comments Mellish.

“It’s also great to have our first Sunshine Coast-based Committee member join us. Jake’s extensive experience in music and entertainment media and communications, and executive industry connections both nationally and abroad will bring a fresh perspective to the organisation as QMusic moves into this new chapter.”

Mellish and Collins took the helm at QMusic ahead of BIGSOUND 2024, succeeding Natalie Strijland and D-J Wendt, respectively.

Last week, Collins, the former bass player with Powderfinger and co-owner and venue director of Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid, was appointed as the first Queensland Night-Life Economy Commissioner. Maggie and John Collins are unrelated.