Musical Chairs: changes at the top for WAM, Billboard and Warner Bros.

WAM appoints new CEO

Western Australia’s peak music association WAM announced Mike Harris as its CEO. He’s expected to take over the role in late February. Most recently occupying a senior management at The Arts Centre in Melbourne for three years and heading up the programming team at Melbourne International Arts Festival for three years, the new role sees Harris return after 15 years to WA where he was raised. He delivered arts and cultural programs with the Esperance Shire and was GM at the Matt Dann Cultural Centre in Port Hedland.

As a consultant with Pracsys Consulting Group, he recently completed a review of the Perth Theatre Trust for the WA Government. The 50-year old Harris replaces Wendy Were, who is currently executive director of Arts Development at the Australia Council on the East Coast.

Warner Australia’s Beth Appleton promoted in London

Former Marketing Director at Warner Music Australia, Beth Appleton, is new SVP of Marketing for Warner Music International, based in London. She will provide creative support and guidance to affiliate teams across the globe to maximise promotional and commercial opportunities for artists. Stu Bergen, President, International, Warner Recorded Music who says, “(Appleton) knows the results that can be achieved by thinking and acting globally.”

New ‘Hack’ for triple j

Alice Workman, who left last week as Breakfast Producer of 2UE, will start soon as triple j’s Canberra Hack reporter

Ed Kavalee joins 4MMM

Ed Kavalee returns to hometown Brisbane to join the Triple M Breakfast Show this month. The team includes Greg ’Marto’ Martin and Michelle Anderson. Kavalee replaces Pete Timbs who left the show after two years.

Cairns film maker to produce music show

Cairns film and video maker Kyle Wilson, who runs Little Earth Creations, will produce the Cairns edition of Balcony TV. It is an online viral music show founded in Dublin that features music names. He recently got a $10,540 grant from the Cairns’ council’s Regional Arts Development Fund. Wilson’s latest video was for Sydney band The Art’s Homesick which was shot in Cairns.

YouTube’s new Director of Global Music Partnerships

YouTube has widened the role of Christopher Muller to become Director of Global Music Partnerships. Currently based in Paris, his most recent role was to handle music partnerships in Southern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Tim Clucas exits Fremantle Media

Fremantle Media’s Director of Programming Tim Clucas left the production company after four years. He oversaw productions as The X Factor, Australia’s Got Talent, Grand Designs Australia and Celebrity Apprentice.

Change at top at Billboard

Janice Min, Editor of The Hollywood Reporter, has also been made head of Billboard magazine by its private equity parent Guggenheim Media. Under a new restructure, THR and Billboard come under one group while Adweek, the CLIO Awards and the Film Expo Group come under another. Billboard Editor Bill Werde seems to have left the company.

Opera House Events Manager takes NORPA role

One time Sydney Opera House Events Manager Renee Moehead is the new Venue Operations Manager at Lismore-based Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) effective January 28. A local girl, her first link with NORPA was in 1996 was she was in the cast of The Car That Ate Paris.

Henry Wagons co-hosts TV cooking show

Melbourne performer Henry Wagons and Melbourne TV chef Colin Magee of Everyday Gourmet fame, host new Ten Network cooking show. Keepers Of The Flame – The Ultimate BBQ screens this month. “It could not have been more fun!” Wagons said. “I got to hang around BBQs, eat and talk about food, all the while being able to swan around in front of multiple cameras!”

Dan McCarroll heads Warner Bros. Records

Former Capitol Records President Dan McCarroll is new President of Warner Bros. Records in the US. The one time drummer helped launch the careers at Capitol of Ryan Adams, Katy Perry and Emeli Sandé.

AC/DC singer to front TV car show

Racing car enthusiast Brian Johnson, who in his spare time sings with AC/DC, is host of a new UK series called Cars That Rock.

Hogan, Woodhams, new Sea FM breakfast hosts

Sea FM Hobart’s new breakfast team is Paul Hogan (ex 92.9 Perth breakfast and Network Ten’s The Project regular) and Esther “Woody” Woodhams.

Jeff Shoesmith departs Hills SVL

Audio veteran Jeff Shoesmith departed Hills SVL after a company restructure, CX TV reported.

New CMA board announced

The new board of the Country Music Association in America sees President Ed Hardy become Chairman, and Frank Bumstead of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy take over his role. Warner Music Nashville CEO John Esposito has been named President-elect.