Musical Chairs: December 15

CHANGES AT THE MUSIC NETWORK

The Music Network’s Publisher and Editor Jake Challenor announced some changes to the long lasting publication.

Zanda Wilson has joined as News Editor. He was most recently two years at Music Feeds as contributor and news reporter, contributed to The Brag, and contributor and Assistant Editor at the interns and Warner Music blog Cool Accidents.

Elise Ferrari is promoted to Features Editor. She was formerly Online Editor for The Music Network as well as its sister publication Radio Today.

Peter Tuskan is promoted to Charts Editor, expanding coverage of charts movement and trends as no other title does in this country.

MICHAEL RAPINO EXTENDS LIVE NATION TENURE

Live Nation Entertainment President/CEO Michael Rapino will stay with the company through to 2022, after signing a new five year deal.

The extension comes in the wake of Live Nation Entertainment hitting a record high in earnings, posting $136.4 million in its third quarter.

SPOTIFY EXECUTIVE KEVIN BROWN EXITING

Spotify’s London-based head of label relations for U.K. and International, Kevin Brown, is leaving at the end of the year after a five year stint.

In his role, Brown’s beat included Australia, as well as the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the rest of the Asia-Pacific.

The one time label executive (EMI, Arista/BMG, 4AD),he also served as Chairman of the U.K.’s Official Charts Company and co-chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association.

CHARLIE FOX, RON E. SPARKS, EXIT ARN

Australian Radio Network announced that two long standing names are departing.

Charlie Fox joined the company in 2005 and served as content director for WSFM and The Edge.

WSFM morning announcer Ron E Sparks joined in 2002.

Duncan Campbell, national content director, explained the moves as part of a “strategy to re-energise ARN and position the network for even greater success in 2018 and beyond.”

HAMISH & ANDY REMAIN AT SCA

Hamish Blake and Andy Lee may have bowed out of their Drive show at Hit Network earlier this month but they’re staying on at Southern Cross Austereo.

They have joined SCA’s podcast platform, PodcastOne, signing up to provide original content for the next two years.

AUSSIE EXPAT CINDY JAMES JOINS ISLAND IN NY

Sydney-born Cindy James has joined Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group, in the newly created role of vice president of streaming & playlist strategy in New York.

Reporting to Eric Wong, EVP/GM, James will focus on strategic streaming initiatives for the label and work closely with all digital streaming partners.

Island cited her hire for her cutting-edge creative sensibility, a flair for identifying future industry trends and an ability to monetise pop culture and emerging audiences in streaming and consumer marketing.

She spent the last 10 years at Sony Music Entertainment in Sydney, London and New York, most recently as senior director of streaming & playlisting strategy at their NY office.

CONFIRMED: RON PERRY TO HEAD COLUMBIA

Columbia Records has named Ron Perry as its new CEO and Chairman from January 2.

As reported in TMN this week, the way was cleared for his new role after Songs Music Publishing, of which he was co-founder and president, was sold to Kobalt Music Publishing for an estimated $160 million.

The Columbia role fell vacant when Rob Stringer in April became the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, Columbia’s parent company, replacing retiring music biz veteran Doug Morris.

OLIVIA ANSELL SENIOR HIRE AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Sydney Opera House named Olivia Ansell as head of contemporary performance, giving her a brief to head up new, innovative and emerging work in pop culture and story telling.

Voted one of VIVID’s Top 100 Creative Catalysts, Ansell’s past roles have included artistic director of Sydney Comedy Festival and curator of Kings Bloody Cross for Vivid Ideas.

She is a lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Con Opera School and guest reporter for Talking Lifestyle’s Entertainment Buzz with David Prior.

NEW EP FOR ADELAIDE FESTIVAL OF IDEAS

The new executive producer of Adelaide Festival of Ideas 2018 is veteran arts and cultural administrator Sandy Verschoor.

She preiously held therole in 2011 and is currently Deputy Lord Mayor of Adelaide. The festival staged July 12-15, and last year drew 15,000.

ANGELA DRIVER JOINS TEN DAYS BOARD

Long time arts administrator and theatre director Angela Driver has joined the board of Ten Days on the Island. Based in Launceston, she is currently GM of Tasmanian Leaders.

Her career began at Junction Arts Festival after completing a Churchill Fellowship researching performance event for social change in 2007.

PANDORA EXPANDS MARKETING AND DATA

Pandora appointed Aimée Lapic as Chief Marketing Officer, to oversee consumer brand strategy, market positioning and overall marketing.

She was 13 years CMO at Gap, as CMO for its Banana Republic and GM of the company’s digital presence.

BMG PROMOTION IN FILM & TV

BMG promoted Allegra Willis Knerr to VP, Film & TV Licensing, which has just gone through a restructure. Based in Los Angeles, she joined Bug Music in 2009, two years before it was acquired by BMG.

AMAZON AUSTRALIA TEAM EXPANDS

Amazon Australia’s team expands with Arno Lenior as Marketing Director. He was CMO of Samsung Australia where he led the launch of its Gear VR virtual reality headset and devices, and more recently CEO of Virtical, which develops Virtual Reality training content.

DISNEY DROPS MUSIC EXEC

Disney executive John Heely was suspended with pay after charges of alleged sexual misconduct with a child, Variety said.

Heely, 58, was a Director of its music publishing division and also produced live music concerts based on Disney movies.

According to the report, Heely allegedly sexually abused two girls about 10 years ago, one aged 15 and the other in her early teens.

Disney said it was waiting for the matter was decided by the court system. Heely denies the allegations.