Musical Chairs: December 14

DEEZER GETS NEW HEAD OF CONTENT

Deezer is the latest music streaming company to tap into radio executives who are skilled in content and formats. Its new VP of Content and Formats is Chris Baughen, former Managing Editor of UK’s Radio X (formerly XFM). Baughen told Music Week that his approach is to “think differently regarding how our audience consumes content and creating a plan that keeps them coming back for more.”

He added, “There are many content opportunities in this space and I don’t believe that anyone has really scratched the surface yet,” he said. “Deezer is perfectly placed to take advantage of this situation and elbow our way to the front of the pack.

“One of my main priorities is to make sure Deezer is the very best it can be at producing and curating targeted, entertaining, ground-breaking and sometimes challenging content that will set us apart from our competitors. We are already making great strides in this space – my job will be to take this to the next level.”

GEOFF TRIO BOOKING LEADBELLY

Veteran Sydney venue booker Geoff Trio of Code One Entertainment is now booking the four-month old Leadbelly in Newtown. It’s a return to the King Street site for Trio: he used to book The Vanguard, which operated there, from 2003 for six years.

Trio says, “With a new bar fit-out and improved production, I am excited to work with a great new team to re-establish Leadbelly as one of the premiere live music venues in Australia.”

BOY GEORGE JOINS THE VOICE OZ

Boy George, who showed himself to be in fine fettle at Culture Club’s recent dates, will be the third judge for The Voice Australia next year. He’ll join Delta Goodrem and Seal, with a fourth judge to be added.

“I’ve been talking about doing this show for a few years … but it just wasn’t the right time,” the Boy told the Today show.

“Having now done it in the UK, I feel like really ready to go now because I kind of understand what the show is.”

DARYL MANZIE EXITS TERRITORY FM

Daryl Manzie has exited Territory FM Darwin’s morning show after 15 years, saying that he has a few boxes to tick before he turns 80 in ten years.

Manzie was a high profile politician and police officer when he was initially asked to step into the show for a few weeks after the original choice of presenter pulled out. That was extended to years. Manzie told the station he had one proviso: as he had a healthy pension from his previous two day jobs and wanted to do it for free.

ROSS LEAVING DARWIN FESTIVAL

Darwin Festival’s Artistic Director Andrew Ross announced his departure from Darwin Festival for personal reasons. Its GM Emily Mann said he left a strong legacy, and responsible for the festival’s expansion in “influential Indigenous works and diverse south-east Asian programming.” Head of Programming, Felix Preval, will act in the role of Artistic Director for the 2017 season.​

UNIVERSAL MUSIC PROMOTES NICKIE OWENS

Universal Music UK promoted Nickie Owen to Director of International Marketing in a bid to increase the profile of its UK-based acts around the world. As its Senior Marketing Manager these past two years, she played a key role in international campaigns for Take That, Florence and The Machine, Mumford & Sons, Paul Weller and Arcade Fire.

Before joining Universal Music, Owen was at EMI Records where she worked on global releases by Robbie Williams, Babyshambles, Bryan Ferry, Laura Marling, Blur, The Kooks and Sigur Ros.

TUO CLARK NOW SVP FOR DEF JAM A&R

Tuo Clark was named Senior Vice President, A&R at Def Jam Recordings. He will oversee current and new artist projects including Big Sean, Jeremih and Lil Durk and sign new acts.

CRAIG ZONCA TO REPLACE HOWSON

Craig Zonca will take the Breakfast reins with 612 ABC Brisbane on Monday January 30, replacing Spencer Howson who had the slot for eleven years. Zonca has been ten years with the broadcaster, with the last three years hosting the Queensland Country Hour.

JEREMY CORDEAUX BACK AT FIVEAA

Only a week after leaving Fiveaa Adelaide’s Evening show (#1 for 14 out of 15 surveys) and refusing to take another shift because he’d put another person out of work, Jeremy Cordeaux returns to host the 8pm—midnight slot from January 23. He’ll host the show while regular nights presenter Alan Hickey takes a break to get treatment for cancer.

KRISTA THOMAS BACK ON RADIO, JOINS i98

After a two year break from radio to go travelling, Krista Thomas returns as News Editor for WIN Network’s i98FM at the end of the month. She started her career at WIN in 2010, before moving on to covered news on ARN’s WSFM on Drive and also Kyle & Jackie O on KIIS 106.5.

MEDIA AGENCY’S OLDHAM GETS SBS MARKETING ROLE

In the wake of reshuffling and radicalising its program slate

for 2017, SBS has brought in Uma Oldham as Head of Group Marketing to spread the word.

She was previously Group Business Director at media agency Zenith. SBS was in fact one of the campaigns she worked on, along with Qantas, XXXX, Drumstick, Tourism Northern Territory, 20th Century Fox and Heineken.

Oldham replaces Jo McAlister, who joined NBCUniversal Networks in July as marketing director for Australia and New Zealand

FRESH FACES FOR FRESH BREAKFAST

With Adelaide dance station Fresh 92.7’s breakfast hosts Ben and Liam off to triple j-land, the station announced Alex Lokan and Dally Nijjar as replacements effective January 9. Both come from Magic 93.1 in SA’s Riverland. But it’s a homecoming for Nijjar who got his break at Fresh.

He said: “I lived and breathed Fresh while I lived in Adelaide. I love the music, the people and the vibe. The first time I ever went on air was at Fresh and because of the opportunities Fresh provided me, I’m now able to do the thing I love. I can’t WAIT!”

PROMOTION AT CAPITOL

Capitol Music Group promoted Jeff Temske to Senior Vice President, Streaming Strategy and Research. He will oversee CMG’s global efforts, focusing on the growth and expansion of artists and their music streaming platforms.

NEW CD AT HAURAKI

Mike Lane will be joining the NZME Content team in the newly created role of Content Director – Radio Hauraki and The ACC (Alternative Commentary Collective). He was most recently Group Creative Head – NZME.

GALE FOR HOT TOMATO?

Long time SEA FM announcer Paul Gale may be heading to Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast, suggests a report in the Gold Coast Bulletin. Gale had been with SEA FM for 16 years (of a 28-year radio career), the last five as part of its breakfast team with Charli Robinson. In September the pair announced on-air they would not be returning. Robinson wanted to do more TV work.

NEW EUROPEAN SALES HEAD FOR SPOTIFY

The world’s largest music streaming company Spotify has appointed Marco Bertozzi as London-based VP, Europe/ Head of Sales. He will be responsible for its direct, programmatic and international business. He is currently Global Chief Revenue Officer at performance marketing agency Performics.

DEAN CARROLL AT LG

LG Electronics Australia has moved Dean Carroll from his Melbourne-based position of Key Account Manager for Home Entertainment to its Sydney office as GM, Home Entertainment Sales. Cory Foster, Account Executive for Home Entertainment, will take over Carroll’s old role.

JODI GLASS TO HEAD STC

Jodi Glass, dynamic one time Adelaide Fringe CEO and now Executive Producer at children’s theatre company Slingsby, will take over from Rob Brookman as Executive Director/ Producer of State Theatre Company SA when he retires at the end of March after a 42-year career in the arts and five with STC. Brookman’s son Geordie will continue as Artistic Director until 2018.

MICHAEL DIXON TO LEAVE DIXON HOSPITALITY

Michael Dixon, founder of venue operator Dixon Hospitality, will leave the business following its IPO. The family-run company’s portfolio includes live music venues as Melbourne’s Great Britain Hotel, Middle Park Hotel and The Hawthorn Hotel, Sydney’s Oxford Tavern and The Norfolk, and Albury’s Soden Hotel. He plans to buy out the Party Boats division and run it on his own.

CHANGES AT 2ST

Changes at 2ST Nowra see breakfast host Pete Brandtman moved to a creative role at 2ST and 949 Power FM, to be replaced by Dave Stretton. Production Manager Rohan Bullock is now Content Director for 949 Power FM.