Musical Chairs: August 17

Rachael Townsley joins Pandora

Rachael Townsley, former Trade Marketing Manager for Southern Cross Austereo, is new Sales Marketing Manager for Pandora Internet Radio, heading up their trade marketing across Australia and New Zealand.

Billy Corgan now heads US wrestling company

Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan(pictured) has been named President of wrestling business Impact Ventures. He was previously Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development at the company.

In a statement, Corgan said he is “committed to this great opportunity and will use all of my resources and connections to drive the success of this company. This year we have made significant strides in establishing a strong foundation for our future and will be aggressive in continuing to evolve and grow the IMPACT brands.”

Former President Dixie Carter, who moves to Chairman and CSO, said: “Billy is a visionary, an iconic artist and savvy businessman with an incredibly gifted creative mind. He has built a decades-long successful global brand, and also has a deep passion and understanding for professional wrestling.”

Warner exec moves to UMG

Oana Ruxandra, VP of Digital Strategy and Business Development at Warner Music Group, has moved over to Universal. She occupies the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy and Partnerships. Based in Santa Monica she will work closely with UMG’s senior management team and label leadership to develop digital strategy and implement critical business priorities into the company’s partnerships.

MoS promotes Marcel Apfel

Ministry Of Sound’s General Counsel and General Secretary, Marcel Apfel has been made a Director. He joined in late 2013. MoS’s other Directors are CEO Lohan Presencer and founder Lord James Palumbo. Ministry of Sound Group, which includes its music and nightclub divisions, turned over £34.75 million in its last reported year of 2014. Its recording business, now sold to Sony Music, generated £25.48 million while club promotion activity pulled in £11.4 million.

Josh Reid steps down at Pulse 94.1

Health issues that have plagued him over the past 12 months and reduced his workload to three days a week, has seen Josh Reid step down as CEO of Christian radio station Pulse 94.1. He had the role for eight years. Reid said that his health had prevented the station from being “driven forward with a strong vision.”

Dally returns to SA

One of Adelaide’s Australian Radio School’s brightest graduates has returned to South Australia. Kristel Dally won the Big Star award as she graduated last year, and was quickly snapped up by ZZZFM in Lismore. After seven months she’s heading back to SA, co-hosting the breakfast slot with Brad Collins from next week and also serving as Creative Writer.

Bowe moves to Fitzgibbons International

After 4 ½ years at Fairfax Media as Sponsorship Director, Catherine Bowe moved to professional surfer Sally Fitzgibbon’s lifestyle business as Commercial Director. She will cover Fitzgibbons International’s talent management and lifestyle.

Two promotions at Purple Entertainment

UK PR company promoted Anna Meacham to International Head of Entertainment and Music and Emma Philpott to International Head of Entertainment and Sport.

Meacham joined six years ago and helped build the firm’s client roster to include Bjork, Zayn, Grimes, The Chemical Brothers, Big Sean and Kelsey Lu. Philpott joined seven years ago and handling media for Alicia Keys, Major Lazer, Little Dragon, Seth Troxler and Black Coffee. She also is expanding it into sport, starting with world champion F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

Jay Cooper heads new AEG venues division

AEG has launched a new division called AEG Facilities, which will consult with venue developers and owners on design, construction and renovation of venues. It has promoted Jay Cooper, who has 35 years of venue management, to Senior Vice President and to head the new department. Services provided include pre-construction design analysis, district master planning, detailed insight into staff selection, and training in security, ticketing, guest services and repairs.

Hamish Strahorn joins OMD

OMD tapped Hamish Strahorn to work with its biggest client, Telstra. He worked at Telstra’s marketing operations before moving to Starcom where he handled the Suncorp account.

Google ANZ gets new Head of Communications

Google Australia and New Zealand will be joined later this month by Gustaf Brusewitz as Head of Communications and Public Affairs. He has that role at Google in the Nordics, based in Stockholm. The ANZ role was previously held by Annie Baxter. In another change, Communications and Public Affairs Manager Shane Treeves is moving to an Google APAC social communications role based in Sydney.

New role for BMG’s Alex Flores

BMG US promoted to Alex Flores as Senior Vice President of Marketing, Commercials, Film and Television. She was previously VP for Film and TV Marketing. Based in LA, she joined BMG in 2012 and landed sync deals for songs as The Rolling Stones’ Gunface (Jerek Deter Remix), Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and The Kinks’ You Really Got Me and helped develop releases for PJ Harvey, Graham Candy, LP, School of Seven Bells, Fahrenhaidt and and Samsaya.

More ex-Sony names head to Samsung

More ex-Sony executives are heading to Samsung, Channel News reports. Following Sony Australia Managing Director Carl Rose being offered a Vice President role at Samsung, long time Sony exec Paul Colley has replaced Evan Manolis as Content and New Business Development Manager. Former Sony GM of Sales Jeremy Senior has joined the Australian operations of the Korean company as Director Home Appliances.

Channel News also heard that Samsung is talking to former Sony Sales Director David Hargraves about a role in a Samsung subsidiary.