Musical Chairs: August 4

UK MUSIC’S JO DIPPLE JOINS LIVE NATION IN GLOBAL ROLE

Jo Dipple, who stepped down last June as CEO of the UK Music trade organisation, has resurfaced at Live Nation as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. It is a global role, covering Live Nation and its ticketing agency Ticketmaster.

John Reid, President, Concerts for Live Nation Europe said: “Jo has remarkable credentials in the music industry, with an unrivalled level of expertise in her field.

“It is great to have her join the business at a time where live entertainment continues to go from strength to strength, helping us to grow our brand across the world.”

Dipple added: “Live Nation Entertainment is the world leader in delivering live entertainment.

“I am joining a hugely talented team of people, all of whom are passionate about fan and artist satisfaction across the world. I look forward to contributing to its continued success.”

Dipple joined UK Music after being a strategic advisor to the British Prime Minister and a special adviser at the Treasury.

At UK Music, she successfully lobbied national and local government on copyright issues, protecting the UK’s live music industry and recognizing the vital role that the BBC plays in supporting British culture and music.

EMINEM MANAGER IS DEF JAM’S NEW CEO

Eminem’s long time manager Paul Rosenberg is the new CEO of Def Jam Recordings, taking over early next year. Founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, Def Jam is home to Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Big Sean, Alessia Cara and 2 Chainz.

Eminem is the main client of Rosenberg’s New York-based Goliath Artists Inc., He and the rapper launched Shady Records, of which Rosenberg is President.

He also produced Eminem’s SiriusXM satellite radio station Shade45, as well as executive producing the 8 Mile and Southpaw films, and produced TV series as Showtime rap battle The Next Episode, MTV’s Gone Too Far and Viceland’s F*ck, That’s Delicious.

AUDIO NETWORK PROMOTES JESS OSSINGTON TO GM, APAC

Audio Network, global music provider for film, TV and digital media, has promoted Sydney-based Jess Ossington to the role of General Manager, APAC.

Audio Network Australia’s recently expanded to cover the Asia Pacific region.

“Audio Network’s creative offering continues to develop from strength to strength, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead APAC operations during this exciting phase of the business”, says Ossington, who joined the company in 2010 as Head of Creative Services, before being promoted to Operations Director in 2014.

Audio Network is headquartered in the UK and, aside from Sydney, has seven other offices in North America and Europe.

In 2016, Audio Network Australia launched local A&R operations, with Australian & New Zealand artist releases scheduled for 2017.

ADELAIDE FRINGE EXTENDS CROALL TENTURE

The Adelaide Fringe has extended its contract with Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall until 2020.

After she took over in 2016, she made significant strategic and structural changes to the event, which tripled its footprint. It sold over 650,000 tickets (worth $16.2 million) in 2017.

David Minear, Chair of the Fringe board said, given her success ‘Asking Heather to join us for the 2019 and 2020 festivals is an obvious and positive move for all of us who believe in the power of the Adelaide Fringe and support what it delivers – both culturally and economically – to our city and our state.”

The 2018 Adelaide Fringe will run February 16 to March 18.

NIKKI ROOKE BACK AT SCA IN NEW SALES ROLE

After a stint at Seven West Media as Sydney Sales Director, Nikki Rooke has returned to Southern Cross Austereo in the newly created role of National Head of Radio Sales overlooking metro and regional.

Prior to joining Seven in 2011, she held a number of roles at SCA from 2000, most recently as its Agency Sales Director for Sydney

DELTA RIGGS DRUMMER JOINS HABITAT MEDIA

Simon McConnell, former drummer of The Delta Riggs, has been chosen to lead the Melbourne office of Sydney-based experiential agency Habitat Media. He’s worked for the past two years at the firm in back scene on production and campaign management. He left the Riggs last New Years Eve.

The band’s bassist Michael Tramonte (aka Monte) works at Habitat’s Sydney office in sales.

AMAZON ANNOUNCES COUNTRY MANAGER FOR AUST.

Amazon announced that its Dutch Director of Consumables, Rocco Braeuniger, will take over as Country Manager for Australia. He has been with Amazon since 2006 in a number of roles.

Robert Bruce is Amazon’s Director of Operations for Australia.

VEVO PROMOTES CLAUDIA DE WOLF

Vevo promoted Claudia De Wolff to VP, Creative Content and Programming, covering international and the UK from its London base.

De Wolff joined Vevo in early 2013 and had a key role in the development and expansion of Vevo dscvr.

ACE RADIO EXPANDS IN NSW, VIC

Regional radio network Ace Radio is expanding further in NSW and Victoria with the November 1 acquisition of Edge FM and 3NE in Wangaratta, and Edge FM and 2QN in Deniliquin.

ACE will now operate a total of 17 regional stations (eight on FM and nine on AM) in the two states.

Dave Robertson becomes 2QN/Edge FM General Manager in Deniliquin and Owen Godenzi GM of 3NE and Edge FM in Wangaratta.

3WM/Mixx’s Lui Zacher becomes Content Director for 3NE/Edge Wangaratta and 2QN/Edge in Deniliquin.

2AY Promotions Manager Angela Frino is upped to Assistant GM of 2QN/Edge and will also assist Zacher as Assistant Content Director of all four stations.

ABC’S BENSON RETIRES

Walkley-winning ABC News Radio presenter and journalist Marius Benson has retired from the ABC. He worked in different roles at Aunty, including a stint as its correspondent in South Africa reporting on the transition from apartheid to democracy.

NEW STRUCTURE AT ASIALINK ARTS

A new structure has been set up at Asialink Arts after the departure last week of Lesley Always as its Director for the past seven years.

The 25-year old organisation will be directing a greater focus on Asia, with projects run through Global Project Space (GPS). Sarah Bond will run that supported by GPS Project Managers Jessica O’Brien and Kerrii Cavanagh and the wider Asialink team.

NEW CHIEF FOR UMPG FRANCE

With the departure of Jean-Philippe Allard as Managing Director of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) France after ten years, Bertil David has taken over as replacement. He was Head of A&R and Synch.

SPARKLER RISES UP RANKS AT DOWNTOWN

Andrew Sparkler continues to rise up the ranks at Downtown Music Publishing, now taking over as SVP, Business Development.

He will manage all catalogue acquisitions and strategic business development opportunities across the company’s global offices.

TWO MORE AT CHILLI FM

Two more on-air presenters joined Chilli FM Launceston. Matthew Garwood, whom you’ll remember being mentored by Ricky Martin on The Voice and landing a Universal Music deal, joins the weekdays 10 am—midday team and is also doing Promotions.

Shannon Dale is its new Music Director and can he heard on the 12—3 pm weekdays slot.

GRANT HISLOP LAUNCHES NEW STATION

New Zealand radio trailblazer Grant Hislop this weekend launches The Station(105.4 FM) in the Bay of Pigs. It will broadcast out of Vinyl Destination, a record store in the heart of Tauranga, and plans to offer something new to radio listeners

That is, no restrictions on genre or era, ad greater depth of tracks. “I’ve started with the listener in mind and worked backwards,” says Hislop, who managed bands as Pluto, Goodshirt and Opshop and whose Monarch Media incorporates retail store, radio station and online video streaming.

TWO MORE SCA PODCASTS

Southern Cross Austereo has launched two more podcats, Aussies In Hollywood with LA-based entertainment journalist Jenny Cooney and We Paid to See This with Darren Hayes and Anthony Armentano who bromanced up at comedy school in Los Angeles.