Musical Chairs: April 6

BRYNN DAVIES JOINS TMN TEAM

Sydney-based journalist Brynn Davies is joining The Music Network team as online editor.

Growing up in a musical family, Davies has had an extensive background in digital music journalism, as founder and national editor of LunchBox TV and one-time assistant editor at TheMusic.com.au.

She also served time at the ABC and Grove Magazine.

Davies set up LunchBox to give acts in Sydney a platform after the live scene started to shrivel following the lockouts.

She put together a national team of 30 writers and photographers for LunchBox to foster a new generation in music journalism.

Davies’s life includes endless cups of coffee, being glued to her laptop, going to endless gigs and tossing up between yoga and surfing in the mornings.

Davies joins TMN’s Sydney team which includes features editor Elise Ferrari and charts editor Peter Tuskan, as well as news editor Zanda Wilson who joined after the magazine’s new owner Jaden Social took over last year.

MORE PROMOTIONS AND ADDITIONS AT SCA

Southern Cross Austereo has seen some movement in its executive ranks.

Dan Jackson is promoted to the newly created post head of audio operations. He was previously national radio engineer.

In Brisbane, Hamish Rose becomes head of agency sales with two new group sales managers, Bec Cooper and Carla Mathisen.

The broadcaster’s national head of sport sales is Trevor Crook who begins on May 14. He was previously head of investment at Mindshare Melbourne, commercial and marketing manager at City of Melbourne and national sales manager at Sports and Entertainment Ltd.

COLUMBIA RECORDS GETS TWO CO-A&T HEADS

Columbia Records has added Justin Eshak and Imran Majid as Co-Heads of A&R. Both were SVPs for A&R before.

Eshak joined the company in 2013, and signed hit artists Hozier, Leon Bridges and Ruth B, and worked closely with The Chainsmokers.

Majid’s acts Russ, Ayo & Teo and Rachel Platten, who’ve all notched up multi-platinum certifications.

TOBY CHADD TAPPED FOR CLASSIC FM & ABC JAZZ 

Toby Chadd has been confirmed as ABC Music’s content manager for Classic FM and ABC Jazz, effective April 9.

Chadd was long-time manager of these labels, and “enjoys strong relationships with all of our external musical partners, orchestras and opera companies,” ABC head of music Chris Scaddan said.

“He’s done some exceptional work to strengthen our key partnerships in his current role as classic’s development manager, and I know he’ll achieve a very smooth transition into his new role,” Scaddan added.

VICKI CORNELL JOINS CHILDREN CHARITY

Chris and Vicki Cornell donated much of their money to children charities around the world.

So it’s not surprising that the Soundgarden singer’s widow has joined the Children’s Council for The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The couple formed the Chris & Vicky Cornell Foundation in 2012 to support children affected by the traumas of foster care, poverty, addiction, child abuse and neglect.

FANDOM FINALLY LAUNCHES IN OZ, NZ TO COME

The Australian edition of US-based entertainment and pop culture fan website Fandom, first announced in January 2017, finally launched.

Jeremy Ray is editor, while sales is handled by VP of sales for the Asia Pacific, Eric Welles.

A New Zealand version is set to go in a few weeks.

ACMA GETS NEW CEO

The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s new CEO is Creina Chapman, who begins a five-year term in mid-June.

She is currently head of regulatory affairs and corporate communications at Southern Cross Austereo until May 18.

Chapman also held senior roles at Nine Network, Publishing & Broadcast Limited and News Corp, and in advisory roles for Joe Hockey and Tony Abbott.

CAT STROM JOINS CX MEDIA AS ASSOCIATE EDITOR’

Joining new editor of pro-audio magazine CX Jason Allen will be Cat Strom as associate editor.

Strom has considerable experience in entertainment technology, and a deep connection to the lighting industry as a co-founder of trade association ALIA.

COURTNEY GIBSON APPOINTED TO SAFC

Courtney Gibson has taken over as CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation, replacing Annabelle Sheehan.

As chief executive of Screen NSW, Gibson increased levels of production in the state, introduced a gender equity initiative and attracted numerous major international film and TV productions.

She has worked at a senior executive level across both television (Nine Network, ABC TV, SBS) and film (Screen NSW) and with leading production companies Southern Star Entertainment and most recently as managing director of Jungle Entertainment.

B&T GETS NEW REPORTER

B&T has added a new reporter to the ranks, poaching Daisy Doctor from Travel Weekly’s digital team.

Doctor has a background in media, advertising, marketing, and travel.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS AT ATYP

Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) has appointed four new non-executive directors – Chris Puplick AM, Simon Burke AO, Tasnim Hossain and Nina Kilpinen.

ATY chair Mark Warburton points out that Kilpinen’s engineering experience will be useful as they build their new home at Walsh Bay’s Pier 2/3, while Puplick’s career in government, the arts, public sector and arts organisations will be a source of great knowledge with funding arrangements.

Actor Simon Burke whas an affinity to the theatre, beginning his career as a child actor. He is also a past president of Actor’s Equity which “has given him a wide network which ATYP can draw on,” the group added.

Hossain is an ATYP alumna and former ATYP resident playwright, “with experience in communications and digital marketing”, which the board hops will add “a youthful perspective and outlook”.

MAVERICK EXPANDS ITS DIGITAL MARKETING

Maverick Management has hired Meredith Gardner to the role of senior vice president of digital.

Based in Beverly Hills, she will lead the Maverick digital team and consult on digital marketing for Maverick’s roster of artists which includes U2, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Britney Spears and The Weeknd.

She comes from Capitol Music, where she most recently served as SVP of digital marketing and product, running digital campaigns for Sam Smith, Beck, Disclosure, Troye Sivan, Niall Horan, Migos and worked closely with Katy Perry.

JUNKEE MEDIA LOSES OSMAN FARUQI

News and political editor Osman Faruqi has quit youth publisher Junkee Media after nearly two years.

The one-time Greens candidate wrote for Guardian Australia, GQ and Vice and co-hosted FBi Radio’s news and current affairs program Backchat.

ESSENCED STRENGTHENS STRATEGY

Data and measurement-driven agency Essence has appointed Russ Mitchinson as head of strategy for Australia and New Zealand.

He said, “It is in Essence’s DNA to deliver premium digital and performance-based media, and increasingly the business is bringing that thinking to the full gamut of channels as it expands into innovative content spaces”.

NEW ERA FOR GEELONG PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE TRUST

Former Arts Victoria and Asialink director Lesley Always is the new chair of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust.

She has a 30-year background in in cultural policy, management and international engagement.

Always joins the Trust as Joel McGuinness begins as CEO, taking over from Jill Smith who held the role for a decade.

SAMSUNG AUSTRALIA LOSES ANOTHER VP

Channel News reported that Samsung Australia has lost another vice president, this time with Carl Rose departing after the former CEO of Sony joined the company to run Samsung’s consumer electronics division.

The site quoted a Samsung spokesperson: “During Carl’s time at Samsung Electronics Australia, he has overseen a period of significant change for the CE business which has included many achievements such as evolving the Samsung television category to a more lifestyle-centric business and category innovation for Samsung’s premium home appliances.

“In addition, Carl has supported a business focus on developing strong relationships with retail partners.”

The experienced consumer electronics executive is leaving the industry altogether, after being offered an opportunity “that I want to take”.

VEVO PROMOTES JP EVANGELISTA

Vevo has promoted JP Evangelista, who has been with the company with its beginnings, to head of content & programming.

Based in New York he will oversee music programming, original content, production, editorial, talent, events and label relations teams globally.