Musical Chairs: August 11
IHEARTMEDIA EXTENDS PRESIDENT’S CONTRACT
iHeartMedia has extended for a further four years Darren Davis’ role as President of both iHeartMedia Networks Group and the music platform iHeartRadio which has 100 million registered users on its app.
Davis joined the company 25years ago, starting out as an intern for one of its radio stations in Washington DC, and then increased his presence as programmer with a growing amount of stations.
PANDORA’S PAGE HEADS TO YAHOO7
Rachel Page, former Sales Director in the southern states for the now-defunct Pandora Australia, begins as Victorian Sales Director for Yahoo7 at the end of August.
ABC HEAD OF ARTS MANDY CHANG DEPARTING
Mandy Chang, Head of Arts at the ABC, departs next month after 4 ½ years to become Commissioning Editor of BBC documentary series Storyville.
David Anderson, Director Television, said, “Mandy has been a fantastic advocate of the Arts and has done an outstanding job of delivering vibrant and engaging content to all Australians over many years.
“She is highly regarded across the industry and brought a creative and innovative edge to the ABC Arts team.”
In her role, Chang also overseen the iview Arts Channel, and instigated initiatives like the Art Bites and Love Bites series.
FORMER SYDNEY STADIUM GM HEADS TO DUBAI
Guy Ngata, who served for four years as General Manager of the then Allphones Arena (now Qudos Bank Arena) in Sydney between 2012 and 2015, is announced as new GM of the AEG Ogden operated Dubai Arena.
After Sydney, Ngata moved to New Zealand to take over as CEO of Eden Park, the largest stadium in the country.
In 2016 it recorded its most profitable year outside of a World Cup year and is on target to exceed that result in 2017.
LUKE BONA NOW HEARD IN PERTH
The Night Shift with Luke Bona, which has been on the Triple M network since January, is now heard in Perth, on mix94.5 weekdays from midnight to 5 am.
NEW LABEL TO FOCUS ON CLASSIAL CROSSOVERS
Soundtrack producer and orchestral contractor James Fitzpatrick has launched a new services label, Tadlow Classics, to find the generation of classical crossover artists.
The first is British soprano Christina Johnston, whose debut album, Blessing, is out overseas on September 22,
Fitzpatrick launched soprano sensation Lesley Garrett in the ‘90s and recently worked on releases by Il Divo, Alfie Boe and Vera Lynn.
MEGAN HARVEY LANDS EXEC POST IN SCA BRISBANE
Megan Harvey is the new Sport & Partnerships Manager of Southern Cross Austereo’s HIT105 and Triple M in Brisbane.
Starting out in the company as a Street Team member while finishing a degree in media communications and public relations, Harvey sharpened her negotiating skills and brand partnerships over the years in campaigns, promotions and events roles.
THE ORCHARD EXPANDS TO JAPAN
The Sony-owned indie distributor The Orchard has set up in Japan, and installed label, management and music TV veteran Ken Seki as Director.
DLUX LOSES LONG TERM MANAGER
Sydney media arts organisation dLux has lost its long time manager Tara Morelos.
After 35-years in operation, it has had to shrink after losing government funding. Moving forwards, it’s to shared office with 107 Projects in Redfern and is about to announce a new project with radio FBi.
MYER TO CHAIR ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE FOUNDATION
Businessman, philanthropist and executive of ten films, Andrew Myer, is the new Chair of Arts Centre Melbourne Foundation.
He comes from the famed Myer family which has over the generations changed the face of the arts in this country. One of Arts Centre Melbourne’s key venues, the Myer Music Bowl, was named after his grandfather Sidney Myer.
Myer is also Deputy Chair of the Melbourne International Film Festival, a Trustee of the Sydney Myer Fund, President of Bush Heritage Australia and also runs his own private fund with wife Kerry Gardner and performance artist Dure Dara.
WESLEY ENOCH TO MODERATE WA SUMMIT
Sydney Festival Director Wesley Enoch will be moderator for the WA Regional Arts Summit in Mandurah.
Between October 12—15, it will hold discussions on everything from sustaining practises, “big ideas” and experiential doings, workshops, theatre performances and bus tours to nearby indigenous arts centres.
It runs in partnership with Country Arts WA and the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, with support from the Royalties for Regions Creative Regions program.
NEW AUDIO DIVISION FOR MADE IN KATANA
Producer and composer Daren Lake – and who has worked in Australia and America for audio platforms including Spotify, SoundCloud and Rdio – will head the new audio division set up by Sydney digital agency Made In Katana.
It specialises in audio spots, music beds & SFX, branded podcasts, music scores for narrative film, and music supervision. Its first client is Spotify.
SCA’S RICHARD SMITH HEADS TO BRAND POOL
Richard Smith, former head of Southern Cross Austereo’s digital design and user experience department, is now Creative Director at Newcastle-based agency The Brand Pool.
ABC’S COURTNEY CARTHY LAINCHES PODCAST NETWORK
One time development producer at the ABC, Courtney Carthy, has founded a podcast network called Nearly, Mumbrella reports.
It runs ad-free shows for Australia’s growing podcast consumers and offers podcast content services for brands.
Its wide array of shows includes pop culture The Clappers and comedian Dave O’Neil’s The Debrief.
HARDIE GRANT MEDIA APPOINTS SOPHIE BENNETT
Sydney content and publishing agency, Hardie Grant Media, appointed Sophie Bennett (King Content, WWF) as Digital Business Director as it expands further into the digital space.
THREE MORE DIRECTORS FOR SHESAYS
SheSays Melbourne, set up to mentor creative females and build up their networking and business skills, has brought in three new directors.
They are Kate Prowse (Taboo), Molly Hyndman (Alt/Shift’s pictured above) and Leo Burnett’s Ella Yarnton.
Founders Steph Webster, Kara Jenkins and Jane Crowe remain as directors for the time being.
ART ON THE MOVE FAREWELLS DIRECTOR
Julie Thomas, long time director of arts touring company, Art on the Move, has retired after 27 years to the company and to the West Australian arts sector.