Musical Chairs: 2Day’s Williscroft “taking a break”; Big Brother housemate gets breakfast slot; New ABC TV executive; New global names at Rapid Films

Williscroft “taking a break”

Former 2DayFM Hit104.1 Content Director Adam Williscroft is “taking a well-deserved break” but is expected to return to Southern Cross Austereo for “other opportunities”, a statement from Sydney GM Jeremy Simpson said. As reported last week, Irene Hulme was brought up from Adelaide to rebuild the station after three consecutive ratings drops.

Joining her is husband Brad Hulme, who gave up his gig as Content Director at 5AA to take over as EP of Triple M’s The Grill Team. Former EP Matthew “Father” O’Reilly, who oversaw the team’s rise in ratings, is now Content Director of Triple M Adelaide. Hulme is an expert on breakfast shows, having being EP of The Cage for The Ms in Sydney and Melbourne.

Could Snoop Dogg turn Twitter to barker?

Put aside the suits eying Twitter’s CEO seat after Dick Costolo’s resignation.Rap iconSnoop Dogg tweeted that he is “ready to lead” the company, and his 12.3 million followers are pushing for it.But why not? Costolo himself had been a comedian until he took over in 2009.

Initially he charmed shareholders, media, Wall Street and the board. He brought sweeping changes that turned Twitter from a internal bickering mess to a $32 billion valuation. His problem was when he took Twitter public in 2013 too early. Twitter co-founder and Chairman Jack Dorsey, is serving as interim CEO.

Ben Norris gets breakfast slot

Former Big Brother housemate Ben Norris(pictured)has begun as co-host with EJ at Hot FM Central Queensland. He posted on Facebook on his first day, “It has been a life long dream to work in breakfast radio and I am simply thrilled!” He added that he hoped that those rolling his eyes at “another ex Big Brother person on radio” would realise 'Well he certainly wasn’t handed this' and 'he must have worked hard to get his foot back in the door’.”

Stewart joins ABC Perth

Anthony Stewart is joining ABC720 in Perth on June 22. He was previously on ABC TV News in the Northern Territory.

New ABC TV executive

ABC TV appointed Alastair McKinnon as Deputy Head of Fiction, effective July 15. He is currently Head of Business Affairs at SBS. He’s worked on all sides of the TV sector, including networks, production companies and trade associations.

BBC Advertising looking at sales revenue boost

BBC Advertising, part of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, is looking at a strengthening of sales revenue profitability across its channels with the appointment of Alistair McEwan as SVP Commercial Development Asia & ANZ.

Peter York heading Capitol Christian Music Group

Peter York, 30 years at Capitol Christian Music Group, is now promoted to President. He takes on its publishing and distribution divisions along with his current responsibilities at the label group.

Melbourne Fringe taps Dan Koop

Melbourne artist and producer Dan Koop is Creative Program Producer for Melbourne Fringe 2015. Koop has performed, and worked, in multi-artform venues and festivals across Australia and the UK including Sydney Festival, Brisbane’s Festival of Live Art and BAC UK. His brief includes the Program’s keynote project, artist forums, tour ready, producer mentorship and film.

Copyright Agency patents new CEO

The Copyright Agency has a new CEO. Adam Suckling was previously Head of Corporate Affairs at News Corp (which he joined in 2002) and Director of Policy and Corporate Affairs at Foxtel.

Ros Reine: only on Sunday

The Daily Telegraph’s long time gossip columnist Ros Reine is no longer part of the weekday Confidential team. The Australian reported there’d been some conflict between her and the others. She didn’t want to be doing it seven days and didn‘t want to attend the regular entertainment meetings. But she will write for the Sunday Telegraph.

Conton moves chairs

Chrissy Conlon, Brisbane-based Agency Sales Coordinator at Australian Radio Network for the past 2 ½ years, is now Campaigns Coordinator at 4KQ.

Arts Centre Melbourne reaches across Tasman

Following an international search, Arts Centre Melbourne appointed Melanie Smith as Executive, Performing Arts from August. Smith was previously Deputy Director and Head of Programming at Auckland Live (formerly The Edge). She reports to CEO Claire Spencer. Auckland Live looks after venues as Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square as well as concert events at Auckland Stadiums (Mt Smart, Western Springs, QBE) for which Smith did contract negotiations for Big Day Out and Springsteen, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Stones and AC/DC shows.

Fairfax Events loses Dillon

Fairfax Events is without a COO after the departure of Angus Dillon apparently for overseas career changes. Dillon was with the division in various executive campaigns for nine years.

Cassar departs ACE Radio

Madeline "Madz" Cassar left regional ACE Radio. She was a producer and co-host of the breakfast show on MIXX FM Horsham with Nims Azoor and Emma Elsom. She joined in March 2014 from Melbourne community radio station Kiss FM after completing a Melbourne Radio School course and with a performing arts degree,

K-Rock’s Brown at Light FM

After five years with Geelong’s KRock B-Team with club DJ Hunter McLeod and Josh Buckle, Leroy Brown has left the breakfast show. He will begin the drive slot on Christian radio 88.9 Light FM in July. He explained it was to spend more time with his wife and kids “and in general I need a healthier lifestyle away from early starts.”

Steve Woods finishes Magic 1278 deal

Bang The Drum Media Managing Director Steve Woods has finished his consultancy role at Magic 1278 in Melbourne. During his time there, Woods developed the Songs You Know & Love format and pushed it towards a younger demographic. Woods long time career included stints in Victorian regional and Melbourne metro including being PD of My Generation and creating Cover To Cover, Jox Tool and Rocktober.

Two new global names at Rapid Films

Film and content agency Rapid Films have signed on award winning director and writer Damien Toogood and long time creative producer Rona Lewis. Lewis, who’s also worked around the globe, also takes an Executive Producer role alongside founder/EP Susannah DiLallo.

Changes at Snow FM

Sam Blacker, Music Director of Capital Radio’s Snow FM (Snowy Mountains / Jindabyne) is moving to Power FM Ballarat. The new role is not as a MD but he’s working on “a personal project involving Aussie music.” His replacement is George Mihalos.