Musical Chairs: Feb 24

A restructure for Caroline Australia

In the wake of a strong 2015, Caroline Australia’s General Manager Tim Janes has restructured the company which launched in 2013. Label Manager of nearly three, George Dalziel is now Label Director/ A&R. His new duties see him take more charge of marketing and PR strategies of breaking Caroline International licensed artists and a greater focus in A&R where he’s had success with Highasakite and Tei Shi.

Rachel Jones- Williams, who joined last November, is now National Promotions Manager. After contracting in 2015, Tom McGenniss-Destro is full time as label assistant.

Janes commented, “This puts us in a great position to continue grow the business and break artists in what will no doubt be our biggest year to date. Via Caroline International and direct license deals this year we are lucky enough to be working artists the calibre of Iggy Pop, Highasakite, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Glass Animals, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Nightsweats and more. Combined with the best clutch of independent labels we are proud to partner with via the Label Services side of our business including Cooking Vinyl, Spunk, Nuclear Blast, Concord and Loma Vista, we are set for a very busy 2016.”

George Ash, President Universal Music Asia Pacific added, “In three incredible years Tim has taken Caroline to become the premier label services company in Australia. With a huge year ahead we know Caroline is going to go from strength to strength, we are excited to see the company grow and deliver the best services possible to its label and artist partners. Caroline is starting to build a legacy we are all proud of.”

Tim Cox quits ABC again

612 ABC Brisbane’s award winning weekend breakfast presenter Tim Cox has left the station again. He left its drive show in August to relocate back to Tasmania, but a four months later returned to fill in over summer breakfast before landing the weekend shift.

New head at Universal France

Olivier Nusse is new CEO of Universal Music France, after Pascal Nègre left after 18 years. Nusse, a 20 year veteran of the company, was most recently Managing Director of Mercury Music Group and Universal Classic & Jazz France.

Anne Frankenberg joins CBAA board

After receiving 20 applications for a casual vacancy on its board, the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has appointed Anne Frankenberg for the rest of 2016. CBAA President Phillip Randall said, “Off the back of a successful tenure as the general manager of Melbourne’s fine music station 3MBS, as well as extensive not-for-profit governance and management experience in the performing arts, Anne brings a wealth of valuable experience to the table.”

Frankenberg has held management roles with the Victoria State Opera, Opera Australia, and International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), was founding General Manager of Victorian Opera, and served on the boards of the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. In March she takes up the position of Deputy GM at the Australian National Academy of Music.

Ian Maurice back on radio

Queensland radio presenter Ian Maurice is back on road. After 14 successful years at Brisbane’s News Talk 4BC as evening newsreader, he left in mid-2014 to become General Manager of Brisbane’s Arts Theatre. He is now heard on Logan City’s 101FM presenting Thursday Morning With Ian Maurice each week.

TuneCore makes changes

USA’s TuneCore which opened an Australian office last year, made a number of key appointments overseas. E-commerce and marketing veteran Andreea Gleeson becomes as Vice President, Marketing. Marie-Anne Roberts joins as Vice President, International, leading expansion and growth in local markets around the world. Indie music veteran, Sam Taylor is UK Brand Manager.

Zoe Hauptmann new AD at SIMA

The Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) announced Zoe Hauptmann as its new artistic director. The acclaimed bassist served as artistic director of Jazzgroove during which she co-directed the Jazz:NOW Festival with SIMA at the Sydney Opera House. More recently, she contributed to the 2015 Wangaratta Festival program while touring with Paul Kelly, Neil Finn and Missy Higgins. She’ll be officially welcomed at the association’s next event at The Sound Lounge on March 5 with The Umbrellas performing.

Caroline Moore joins Port Fairy Folk Music

Long time promoter Caroline Moore is new Program Director for the Port Fairy Folk Music Festival in Victoria. She replaces Dr. Jamie McKew who founded the festival 40 years ago and presented 38 instalments. Dr. McKew announced late last year he was leaving to focus on his medical practice.

Moore worked at the Cornish Arms Hotel in Melbourne, as well as at Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Apollo Bay Music Festival, and promoted Australian and international acts for the past 20 years.

Bruce Leishman, President of Port Fairy Folk Festival Inc, said, “She has a demonstrated commitment to our region and an understanding of the important roles music and the Port Fairy Folk Festival play in the community and the cultural lives of us all.”

Ex-Sony CEO to head Samsung Australia

Former Sony Australia CEO Carl Rose, who built Sony’s name as a strong consumer brand in this country until Japanese headquarters started to cut personnel, is the new Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics Australia. He said, “Samsung continues to be at the forefront of its industry, which it demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January when it unveiled its diverse range of connected products and services.” He reports to Harry Lee, recently installed President of Samsung Australia.

Sangston begins at Screen Tasmania

Alex Sangston has begun as Executive Manager at Screen Tasmania, marking a return to Launceston where he grew up and attended unversity. Sangston was one of the original team at Screen Australia, most recently as Senior Manager of Producer Offset and Co-Production.

Manson quits Raceway role

Tony Manson, who as CEO of Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway was largely responsible for the CMC Rocks Queensland festival moving there from NSW, is leaving. He wants to be with his family who are intestate.

O’Brien at Sea FM

Radio and TV casual Emily O’Brien is new breakfast journalist at Sea FM/2GOFM Gosford in regional NSW. She replaces Clare Todhunter who has moved to ARN in Sydney.