Musical Chairs at Believe, Australia Council and More

The latest senior executive changes are at Believe, Australia Council, Melbourne Fringe, Rumble Studios and Sydney Film Festival.

Believe Promotes Antoine El Iman

French distribution & services company Believe promoted Antoine El Iman to Managing Director of Australia/New Zealand and Southeast Asia. 

It’s part of a series of promotion in SE Asia, which Believe says will be “key in driving the growth of local acts, rising alongside the boom in the Southeast Asian music market” which it says will see Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand “among the top 20 countries globally.”

With prior experience in management as well as having worked in the music and technology industries in both Europe and Asia, El Iman joined Believe in 2019 as Head of Labels and Artists Solutions for Southeast Asia.

“Believe firmly believes that over the next few decades, local artists will gradually expand their domestic market share while expanding their international presence,” he says.

“The SE Asian markets are on the cusp of the next major leap forward for the global digital music business as users begin to migrate from ad-supported to subscription-based offerings.” 

John Collins Uses Live Music Experience At Brisbane Economic Development Agency

Former Powderfinger member John “J.C.” Collins who’s one of the names behind Brisbane venues the Triffid and Fortitude Music Hall, has joined Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s (BEDA) board of directors.

He will promote the city’s live music and night time economy.

“This is the perfect opportunity to share my knowledge and experience in the live music and arts industries, combined with my passion for Brisbane, to help support sustainable economic growth for the city,” Collins notes.

“Brisbane is arguably the best location for live music in Australia and I want to see that recognised nationally and globally, and put Brisbane on the map for our incredible local music, culture and art.”

New Hires At Melbourne Fringe

Melbourne Fringe expands its core team with three appointments.

Peta Duncan is Program Coordinator for its First Nations program Deadly Fringe. She is proud Meriam woman of the Piadram Clan from Mer Island in the Torres Strait.

Ebony Addinsall, new Head of Marketing, has a background in audience development, marketing strategy and advocacy for private sector support for the arts, most recently at Creative Partnerships Australia.

Toby Sullivan, champion of First Nations comedy is the new General Manager while current GM Will Dawson moves to deputy CEO to focus on partnerships and development. 

Executive Moves at Australia Council

The Australia Council has brought in three new names to bolster its senior executive team.

Government relations specialist and CEO of Consult Australia, Nicola Grayson, takes over  as Head of Public Affairs.

Arts manager and director Joseph Mitchell becomes Director of International Engagement.

His track record includes Director of Adelaide Festival Centre’s OzAsia Festival (2015 – 2019) and Executive Director for Abu Dhabi Festival.

Gillian Mercer is new Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships. 

She’s a specialist in arts partnerships with senior roles with Illuminate Adelaide, Adelaide Festival of the Arts and Adelaide Fringe Festival. 

Liam Annert Heads Rumble’s New Melbourne Studio

Sydney-based full-service music and sound design studio Rumble Studios has opened a music studio in South Melbourne.

It is headed by senior sound designer Liam Annert, who returns to the southern city after three years in the Sydney office.

The studio team includes Bec Ivanov (producer), Pete Corrigan (composer), Sean Wilkinson (assistant sound designer) and Alex Booker (studio assistant).

New CEO for Sydney Film Festival

Sydney Film Festival, with close ties with the music industry, gains a new CEO from Oct. 4. 

Frances Wallace returns to Australia after 20 years abroad, including six as Executive Director of San Francisco’s Frameline Film Festival.

Tristan Hunt Leaves AFEM For ADHD Coaching 

Tristian Hunt has stepped down as Regional Manager at the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) to launch an ADHD coaching service for the music industry.

A qualified mental health first aider who himself has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, offers confidential online sessions. More info at here.

El Kwang At Venues Collection

The Venues Collection – which provides experiences for Sydney’s hospitality and events,

appointed business events expert, El Kwang as Chief Commercial Officer.

Jo Porter at Regional Arts Victoria

Jo Porter is new CEO at Regional Arts Victoria, taking from Joe Toohey who steered the ship from 2017. Porter had arts leadership roles in Australia, U.K. and the U.S.