Musical Chairs: July 28
ARN HIRES GARETH COOPER TO LEAD STRATEGY
Australian Radio Network hired Gareth Cooper to fill the newly-created role of National Strategy Director, effective July 31.
He is tasked with further driving its strategy and insights with the broader commercial teams.
After holding senior roles in media, communications and strategy in Sydney, London and New York, he was most recently Executive Strategy Director for Cummins & Partners.
ARN Chief Commercial Officer Emma-Jayne Owens said, “With such an extensive background in strategic planning across media and creative agencies, he’s perfectly suited to help grow ARN’s strategic insight capability delivering best-in-market solutions for our clients.”
UTA TAPS LIVE NATION’S ZEDECK AS HEAD OF MUSIC
Live Nation’s David Zedeck has moved over to United Talent Agency (UTA) as partner and Global Head of Music.
Based as its Los Angeles headquarters, Zedeck will oversee the company’s rapidly expanding worldwide music business.
“His track record of developing artists, his passion for “music, and his understanding of how to use all the resources of an agency make David the perfect leader for our future,” said CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
At Live Nation Zedeck was EVP and President of Global Talent and Artist Development from 2012.
Before that he was at booking agency CAA representing Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, One Direction, Ciara, Jonas Brothers and Il Divo.
BUNDABERG BROADCASTERS GM QUITS
After five years as GM of Bundaberg Broadcasters (4BU, Hitz FM, KIX). Trish Mears is leaving the radio industry. She is joining Best Practice Software as Manager of Marketing, Communications and Events.
SWITCH AT ABC RADIO ADELAIDE
ABC Radio Adelaide’s morning host Ali Clarke moves to the breakfast shift on August 7 after Matthew Abraham’s shock resignation.
David Bevan who was co-host in the slot for 15 years and rated a healthy 14.7% share, now heads for the morning slot.
Clarke and Bevan will co-host the last half-hour of the breakfast show from 8.30am.
WANGARATTA JAZZ SHUFFLE
This year’s Wangaratta Jazz and Blues festival has gone through changes, which took place in February but only made public now. Adrian Jackson, its Artistic Director since it began 30 years ago, has stepped down.
He is replaced by a four-person committee. They are multi-instrumentalist Adam Simmons, bassist Zoe Hauptmann (and former Creative Director of Sydney Improvised Music Association), Frank Davidson who served on its board and a community radio presenter) and musician Scott Solimo who’s curated some of its stages.
LEVIN GETS BOLSTER SHOT
Darren Levin, former Editor of music site FasterLouder and one time Junkee Managing Editor, has joined Bolster, the Melbourne-based digital and creative agency for music, events and entertainment.
Bolster has set up Bolster Content to cater for growing demand for content-led campaigns in the entertainment industry.
Levin will head the division, which at launch also includes Creative Video Producer Alex Cardy (ex-NME, Look, UK.
BADYAL JOINS UNIVERSAL MUSIC
Jonathan Badyal who spent the last five years promoting the British music industry in Parliament as Westminster policy advisor, is now Head of Communications for the UK operations of Universal Music.
VIMEO PROMOTES CEO FROM WITHIN
Online video platform Vimeo which has been searching for a new CEO for 13 months has found a replacement within its own ranks. Anjali Sud, GM and SVP of its creator business, now has the top role.
Vimeo has been focussing on its content creator services after it started hiring for a new streaming service and then abruptly abandoned those plans last month.
McGRUTHER ADDED TO OATEN’S
Sydney-based Brett Oaten Solicitors has added to its lawyer’s ranks Adrian McGruther who was previously at Mushroom Group as Head of Business and Legal Affairs. He will continue to run his management business su:ku:ya.
JADE LILLIE STEPS DOWN
Jade Lillie is stepping down in November as Director and CEO of Melbourne’s Footscray Community Arts Centre after five years. During that time, the venue increased audience attendance by 100,000 a year, a 37% annual turnover growth and long-time funding from federal and state.
BUTLER QUITS DARWIN FESTIVAL
Mary Anne Butler, a board member of Darwin Festival Ltd when it set up in February to direct the formerly troubled event, has resigned.
HOT TOMATO LOSES NEWS DIRECTOR
Hot Tomato Gold Coast is on the prowl for a new News Director after Tony Bartlett announced he was retiring in a few months to go surfing. He started in radio in 1972.
GIBSON LEAVES RADIO FOR THE PROJECT
Sallese Gibson, radio and online reporter for ABC Northern Tasmania, is relocating to Melbourne to join TV’s The Project program.
NEW HEAD OF DIGITAL FOR STAN
Video streaming service Stan has hired Rich McPharlin as head of digital. He was previously at performance marketing company Performics as Head of Analytics and Innovation.
JAMES THANE ADVISING MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP
Veteran musical theatre producer James Thane has joined entertainment company the Michael Cassel Group as Executive Counsellor. He held senior executive roles at Disney Theatrical, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group in New York, London, Australia and Asia.
Thane’s Australian track record includes producing musicals as Cats, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King.
NZ RADIO DUO HEADING FOR OZ?
Radio Today has got word that “a much-loved radio duo from New Zealand is preparing to pack their woollen rucksacks and move to Australia, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations.” They’re most likely landing in Melbourne.
FREMANTLE MEDIA’S HART MOVES TO ITV
Fremantle Media’s UK-born Creative Director Beth Hart will be starting on September 1 as production company ITV Studios Australia as Head of Content.
Her predecessor Ben Ulm is moving into the newly created role of Head of Factual and Reality which covers shows as I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
GIZMIDO EDITOR GOES SHOPPING
Danny Allen, one time Managing Editor of Gizmodo and Popsugar and founder of TechHive’s GeekTech blog, has joined Financial and shopping comparison website, finder.com.au as Head of Publishing Innovation.