ABC-TV’s Head of Entertainment resigns, Arts Centre CEO leaves, and Spicks & Specks returns in 2014

ABC-TV’s Head of Entertainment resigns

Jennifer Collins, ABC TV’s head of Entertainment, has resigned to take up the role of head of Non-Fiction at independent production company Screentime. She was responsible some of the public broadcaster’s major success stories, including Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, Adam Hills Tonight, The Chaser Decides, Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery, The Agony of Life, Gruen Nation, Gruen Sweat, Gruen Planet and most recently Annabel Crabb’s Kitchen Cabinet election specials. Sophia Zachariou is filling in until a replacement is found.

Dr. Luke taps Greg Marella for his Kemosabe Records

One of the most successful of modern day US songwriters/producers Dr. Luke – he’s notched up 29 #1 hits – has brought in Interscope veteran Greg Marella as his executive vice president. Kemosabe, a J/V with Sony, is home to Ke$ha, Bonnie McKee, Juicy J, Becky G and G.R.L.

Dr. Luke’s hits have included Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream and California Gurls, Britney Spears’ Till the World Ends, Kelly Clarkson’s Since U Been Gone and Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball.

Tony Aldrige APD at Nova 96.9

Tony Aldrige is new APD for Nova 96.9. He was most recently EP for Heart London’s breakfast and will work with the 96.9 breakfast duo Fitzy and Wippa.

Arts Centre chief quits

The Arts Centre in Melbourne is looking for a replacement after its CEO of four years, Judith Isherwood, made the decision to leave at the end of this month. The Centre has had a tough year, posting a loss of $7.2 million which led to axing of jobs and programs. Isherwood supervised the $135.8 million revamp of Hamer Hall and presented major international events to build its brand as a premier artistic stop.

6PR changes shifts

6PR Perth has brought in WA journalist Gary Adshead to take over as morning presenter, moving Paul Murray to drive in 2014.

Spicks & Specks returning with new faces

Two years after Adam Hills, Alan Brough and Myf Warhurst decided to call time out, ABC-TV music trivia show Spicks and Specks is returning in 2014. New host is to be Josh Earl and team captains Ella Hooper (Killing Heidi, Verses) and Adam Richard (ABC1’s comedy series Outland).

Beats Electronics names new COO for global operations

Beats Electronics has appointed former Ikea group strategic development head Matthew Costello to the role of chief operating officer. He will be in charge of its global operations and international expansion.

Dave Crookston opens new comedy venue

Dave Crookston, manager of Toowoomba, Qld’s Laugh Lab, opened a new licensed comedy venue, The Moat House, at the Showgrounds operating the first Tuesday of each month except January.

Tony Shepherd takes over ASTRA chair

Business leader Tony Shepherd, who was appointed to the chair of subscription TV association ASTRA, takes on the role this week. The sector injects $1.6b to the Australian economy a year, creates 6,600 jobs and invests $700m in producing 65,000 hours of first-run Australian television shows.

Lin Buckfield heads to New York

Lin Buckfield, one time singer of Sydney’s Electric Pandas, is relocating to New York with her partner, leaving behind her gig as executive producer of ABC-TV’s Media Watch.