Musical Chairs: December 9

Image: Clare Bowditch joins ABC Radio

Nova makes Estelle Paterson redundant

As part of structural change at Nova Entertainment, Estelle Paterson’s position as Music Director of Nova 100 Melbourne was made redundant. She has held that role since 2003. “A true professional and her passion for music is unrivalled,” said Nova Group PD Paul Jackson.

Christine Anu, Clare Bowditch presenting on ABC

Two performers join ABC Radio as permanent presenters as the broadcaster positions itself (more) as a place where great conversations happen. Christine Anu takes on 702 ABC Sydney’s Evenings show, initially as a duo with Dominic Knight and solo after April.

Clare Bowditch(pictured) debuts as presenter of 774 Melbourne’s weekday Afternoon program on January 25. Aside from her music Bowditch (who has a new album out next year) is also a businesswoman and done some acting.

New CFO for Warner/Chappell Music

Warner/Chappell Music has brought in former EMI and Viacom executive Paul Kahn as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Warner Chappell President Jon Platt describes Kahn “one of the most respected and accomplished execs in our business,” adding, “as we continue to expand the avenues of exposure for our songwriters, Paul’s financial savvy and diverse background will make him a tremendous asset to our growth and development.”

Tracy Vo expands to radio

Perth Channel 9’s news presenter Tracy Vo adds to her work schedule by taking on a Saturday mornings program on 720 ABC. She replaces Russell Woolf who is moving to the US for work. Vo returned to Perth in 2012 after a successful stint in Sydney to take care of her parents who were among the first boat people fleeing Vietnam in the late 1970s.

New marketing role for Stan

Nine’s streaming service Stan has appointed Melanie Novacan to the newly created role of Marketing Director. She was previously at CommSec as Senior Manager for Brand, Acquisition, Sponsorship and Cross Sell. Stan CEO Mike Sneesby commented that Novacan’s background in brand and acquisition marketing would be essential as Stan expanded its customer numbers.

TIDAL names new CEO

The Jay-Z fronted streaming service TIDAL’s third new CEO within 12 months is Jeff Toig. He was SoundCloud’s Chief Business Officer and a founder and SVP at Muve Music. Jay Z called him “a leader at the intersection of consumer technology and entertainment for more than two decades.”

Split in 96Five team

96Five Brisbane’s 3-6pm show The Afternoon Joy Ride’s on air team Burns & Green will be no longer next year. Ken Green gets a new partner as Paul Burnett is returning to New Zealand.

Monique Crichton departs SCA Adelaide

High profile Monique Crichton, News Director for Southern Cross Austereo in Adelaide (hit107 and Triple M) is no longer at the network after 13 years. She also presented news on Triple M’s Hot Breakfast (for which she was nominated for a Commercial Radio Award) and was a tutor at the Australian Radio School.

Rock Sound expands team

As British magazine Rock Sound continues to expand its print, digital and commercial portfolios, it promoted its Editor, Ryan Bird, to Publisher while Deputy Editor David McLaughlin takes over the top job. Tomas Doyle, previously at Kerrang!, joins as Deputy Editor.

Changes at Perth’s 96FM

Australian Radio Network announced that Doug Terry joins Perth’s 96FM in January for a new nights show. He was most recently on the breakfast shift at RadioWest Albany.

The new look 96FM, now part of the national KIIS Network, also confirmed Carmen & Fitzi for breakfast and KIIS Network’s syndicated Hughesy & Kate for drive.

Across the summer break, 96FM have from this week WA’s cricketing identity Brad Hogg and journalist Dani Pola for a new local drive show, The Summer Rush Home.

Live Nation’s James Barton to join SFX

The New York Post reported that UK born James Barton, President of Electronic Music at Live Nation, is moving to EDM promoter SFX Entertainment for a senior position. Barton who set up Cream, joined LN after it bought out his company in 2012.

Ali Clarke on ABC891’s Mornings

Ali Clarke, the Adelaide Advertiser columnist who was axed from Triple M Adelaide’s breakfast team two years ago, can be heard in the city again. The wife of Crows Assistant Coach Matthew Clarke takes over as host of ABC891’s Mornings show, after Ian Henschke was moved to drive to replace Michael Smyth whose contract was not extended.

Spotify’s Kevin Brown to chair Official Charts Company

Kevin Brown, Head of European Label Relations for Spotify since April 2013, takes over as Chair of the Official Charts Company, which tallies the UK charts. He takes over in January from BMG UK SVP Korda Marshall, who is standing down after a three-year term.

Before joining Spotify, Brown was Sales and Marketing Director of independent distributor RTM, General Manager of 4AD, Marketing Director of Arista and VP of International for EMI Music. He was also head of 3D Artist Management whose clients include Coldplay, Scissor Sisters and My Chemical Romance.

Summer fill-ins at Nova

James Mathison, Sam Mac and Kate Mac this week began filling in for Nova Network’s breakfast teams in Sydney and Melbourne. They will be joined by Nova and Daily Telegraph’s Confidential team leader Jonathon Moran (Jmo) with entertainment goss.

New agents at CAA

CAA expanded its list of acts (including Australia’s Jagwar Ma) with the appointment of three new agents. The Sydney EDM duo’s agent at Windish Agency, Ben Buchanan, joins CAA’s Toronto office, and also takes with him Japandroids and Blood Orange.

Adam Brill joins the Los Angeles office from APA, bringing along Awolnation and Capital Cities. Brian Hill is now working at the Nashville office after moving from Paradigm and accompanied by the Eli Young Band and Jack Ingram.

CAA recently lost another Aussie-born act, Iggy Azalea, when hip hop agent Cara Lewis left, also taking Eminem.

Brian Wilshire leaving 2GB for books

Brian Wilshire’s 46-year career in radio ends after he presents his final overnight program on Macquarie Media’s 2GB this Friday. He’s heading north to finish his fifth book and for health reasons.

Professor Green joins Mel B on UK TV show

British rapper Professor Green joins Mel B as co-host of the UK version of the American TV show Lip Sync Battle. It starts on Channel 5 next month. Green said, “When the chance to work with Mel B came up the answer was obviously a yes. I’m working with a fucking Spice Girl!”

As reported in TMN previously, Channel 5 ordered eight 30-minute episodes of the show which pits two celebs against each other miming to pop songs. The US version, hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, has been a ratings smash for US cable network Spike this year. A second season of 20 episodes has been commissioned for 2016.

Nashville show comes to Tamworth

Nashville and Tamworth are heading to be sister cities. So it’s no surprise that Tamworth based 88.9, which goes out to 25 stations across the world, now gets a Monday night show directly from the US called Nashville Access. The show, hosted by radio vets Dallas & Camo, includes superstar interviews, country music news, current US hits and from around the world, and emerging independent acts.