Billboard Magazine Salutes Australian Execs Cindy James, Sulinna Ong and Rachel Newman
Cindy James, Sulinna Ong and Rachel Newman fly the Australian flag for Billboard’s “Women in Music 2025”, celebrating the top female executives in the US music industry.
James, the general manager of North America for Virgin Music Group, is identified in the Labels & Distributors category, alongside colleagues Jacqueline Saturn (president of North America/executive VP of global artist relations) and CFO Joy Larocca.
“I am so grateful to be included,” she writes on social media. “It’s been an incredible journey, and it continues to be every single day!”
The former Billboard executive of the week, and regular entry on the trade title’s “Indie Power Players” lists, has been flying the flag in the music industries of the US and UK for a decade.
She joined the Universal Music Group-owned indie music distributor and label services specialist as head of commercial marketing for Caroline in 2019, before Caroline transitioned into Virgin Music Label & Artist Services in 2021. She was bumped up from senior VP and head of commercial marketing to her new role in 2024.
Sulinna Ong
Meanwhile, Spotify global head of editorial for music, Sulinna Ong, and Rachel Newman, senior director, Apple Music content and editorial, are lauded in Billboard‘s Streaming category.
After completing her studies at the University of Western Australia, Ong joined Sony in Sydney, before embarking on a diversified, international career, that has included stints in robotics, before moving on to work in almost every side of the music industry, from artist management, record labels, the live concert business and now streaming.
Ong joined Spotify in 2019 as head of artist & label services and acting head of music culture & editorial.
Newman, who has previously earned a mention in Billboard’s list of music industry movers and shakers, guided the 2020 launch of Apple Music TV. She got her break as program D\director for XYZ Networks, prior to joining Apple in 2009.
At the tech giant, the company with the largest market capitalization on the planet, Newman served as iTunes Australia and New Zealand Manager, Music and General Manager, iTunes, App Store and iBookstore, ANZ, and is now based at the company’s HQ in Cupertino, California.
This year’s Women in Music Awards will take place live this Saturday, March 29th at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.