Industrial Strength: Musical Chairs – Sept 19, 2013

Matt Gudinski, Brett Robinson, to helm new Future Music Pty Ltd 

Mushroom Group’s new company Future Music Pty Ltd, set up last month to run the Future Music and Goodlife festivals, will be helmed by Mushroom Group executive director Matt Gudinski and Brett Robinson, a former director of the companies which ran the festivals previously. It’s a return to the Gudinski camp for Robinson who worked at Mushroom Distribution Services in the 1990s. Festivals co-founder Mark James (aka Condron) is no longer involved in the events, but other co-founder Jason Ayoubi is a consultant.

Vincent Clery-Melin to head Kobalt’s digital AWAL

Kobalt Label Services (KLS) made Vincent Clery-Melin the global MD of AWAL, the digital distribution and marketing services company that Kobalt acquired at the end of 2011. His brief is to expand AWAL to become the digitally-focused services company of choice for indie artists and labels worldwide. Clery-Melin was VP, Marketing for EMI Music Continental Europe before founding Cooperative Music eight years ago. He worked with acts as Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club and Bloc Party and labels as Glassnote, Bella Union, Kitsune and Downtown Music.

Ugly Phil to host Triple M’s new Home Grown

Triple M is relaunching its Sunday night Australian music show, previously called Homebrew, as Triple M’s Home Grown. The difference is that it plays Aussie music only from the last 12 months, focussing on the last 3-6 months. Its new host is Ugly Phil, out of Brisbane. Each week it will feature the Oz Top 5, four unsigned finds, Aussie album of the week, interviews and live sets. “Think of it as an Aussie version of our New Rock At Night show that airs during the week,” said SCA’s head of rock, Shaun Gough.

Universal promotes Michael Alexander

Universal promoted vice president of Island Def Jam, Michael Alexander, to senior vice president of Island Def Jam, International, Motown, and Republic Records. He’ll also oversee international marketing for its acts. Chairman and CEO Barry Weiss said, “With Mike, you have a true creative executive who thinks globally. His ability to craft intelligent international campaigns for our artists has proven to be an invaluable resource when it comes to the artist’s success around the world.” He previously worked on global campaigns for Fall Out Boy, Rihanna, The Killers and Kanye West.

Greg Cary leaving 4BC

After weeks of speculation about his future at Brisbane talk station 4BC, morning presenter Greg Cary told listeners he had informed management some time back he would not return in 2014. He will be on air until December. “I’ve been doing it for a long time, and this is a wonderful relentless job,” he explained, saying he wanted to pursue some of his other interests.

Dave Whip sets up Redro Records 

Dave “Red” Whip made his name as Melbourne-based sound engineer, producer, DJ, manager of Woodstock Studios, currently house sound dude at Cherry Bar, and as singer and guitarist with The Stars, My Lil Tornado and Mofoco. He’s built his own studio and launched Redro Records. Redro, he says, caters for those who need to make music regardless. Aside from re-releasing My Lil Tornado’s back catalogue it launches new single Good Times by Redro Redriguez & His Inner Demons at Lyrebird on September 21.

Michael O’Neill named President/CEO at BMI

BMI promoted its executive of 20 years, Michael O’Neill, from SVP of Repertoire and Licensing to President/CEO. He takes over as CEO on September 16 and as the president in June 2014. He replaces long serving President/CEO Del Bryant who announced he was stepping down in May.

Lindy Allen to be acting executive director for Regional Arts Australia

Following the recent departure of Regional Arts Australia (RAA)’s executive director Jane Scott after two years in the role, Lindy Allen steps into the role for six months while a recruitment process takes place. Allen, who has just finished working on the One River project as part of the Centenary of Canberra, commenced in the role this week. She spent eight years as director of at Regional Arts Victoria.

Mix 94.5 Perth’s breakfast team to end after 21 years

Mix 94.5 Perth’s breakfast team The Bunch splits after 21 years on October 25. Two of the team, Fred Botica and Lisa Shaw, stay together on the station’s new drive show which launches March 2014. Botica, a radio vet of 44 years, is taking a bit of long service team. Captain Paul remains in the breakfast shift, and will be joined by the drive show team of Clairsy, Shane and Kymba.

New chairman for Sound Alliance

Former Yahoo Australia managing director and Ninemsn and HomeScreen CEO Tony Faure is new executive chairman of Sydney-based youth publisher The Sound Alliance. The move comes as the company sets up an office in the US to launch a local version of its dance music website InTheMix.

Andrew Snell exits Wollongong Con 

Andrew Snell, CEO of Wollongong Conservatorium of Music for the past five years, exits next month to become managing director at Victorian Opera.

Kylie Minogue to coach on The Voice UK

The rebranding of Kylie Minogue continues with the London-based singer signing up to become a coach on BBC1’s The Voice UK, alongside will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and a fourth to-be-announced name. She said: “I’m very excited to become a coach on The Voice. I love the concept of the show and have been an avid viewer of both series. Will I be competitive? Probably more than even I imagine!” Minogue was originally approached for the role two years ago but the BBC reportedly baulked at her asking fee of £2.5 million.

Weekend Today drops entertainment reporter 

TV’s Weekend Today has dropped its L.A. based entertainment reporter Michele Mahone after four years.