Musical Chairs: February 15

Image: Blake Williams

BLAKE WILLIAMS GETS INTO THE SCENE

Blake Williams is the host of mix94.5 Perth’s new Thursday night Australian music show The Scene. It debuts tomorrow (February 16) from 9:00pm to 10:00pm.

Set to be the run-up to the weekend, the show will cover Australian music, feature WA acts live in the studio, and will highlight WA music news and events.

“Thursday nights have always been a great night for live music in Perth’s pubs and clubs,” Williams said. “Now we’re adding to that by getting the best local Perth talent in our studios.

“Perth has proven time and time again that we’re a force to be reckoned with when it comes to great, local music and The Scene is all about getting that music heard!”

HIT NETWORK ADDS NELLY FOR RNB FRIDAYS

Hit Network has secured US urban performer and rapper Nelly as DJ for the high rating RNB Fridays beginning this week. Nelly has sold 22 million albums worldwide.

FALCONA AGENCY EXPANDS WITH JOEL SIVIOUR

Sydney based boutique music, touring and events company Falcona has expanded its agency division with the hire of former Select Music and Archery Club booker Joel Siviour.

“One of the most talented agents in the electronic space,” said Falcona Director Chris Murray of new recruit Siviour.

Falcona recently added LA-based producer Hook N Sling, New Zealand’s SACHI, Sydney duo MEZKO and local producers Command Q, SpendaC and Wongo.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBL. APPOINTS ROCHELLE HOLGUIN

Universal Music Publishing Group appointed Rochelle Holguin to the newly created role of VP of Creative Strategy. She arrives as part of UMPG’s growing focus on creative development and strategic marketing for artists, songwriters and song catalogue.

She will work with the company’s sync, A&R and film/TV development group to build opportunities for their artistic signings. Holguin was most recently at Viacom, where as VP and Head of Creative Music Services, she was responsible for all aspects of music supervision and the creative production music strategy across MTV, VH1 and LogoTV.

PANDORA AUST CREATES PROGRAMMATIC SALES DIRECTOR ROLE

Pandora Australia promoted Senior Sales Executive Alison Pavy to the newly created role of Programmatic Sales Director. She joined the company two years ago after senior sales roles at MI9 and Microsoft in Australia and the UK.

Pandora Commercial Director ANZ Chris Freel said: “As programmatic evolves in this market her skills will be invaluable in helping to drive our progression.”

DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR FOR SCA

Southern Cross Austereo is claiming that its move to create a National Digital News Editor position is “a commercial radio first”. Taking over the role in May is Daily Mail Australia Deputy Editor Sarah Michael.

SOUNDCLOUD LOSES TWO

SoundCloud, which is in the middle of capital raising as part of its expansion and rebranding, announced that Chief Operating Officer Marc Strigel and Finance Director Markus Harder have left to “move onto new adventures” after five years at the Berlin-based streaming platform.

NEW COUNCIL MEMBER FOR AFTRS

Katrina Sedgwick yesterday joined the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) council. Her track record includes Head of Arts for ABC Television and ABC Arts online from 2012 to 2014, Special Events Producer for the 1998 and 2000 Adelaide Festival of Arts, Artistic Director for Adelaide Fringe 2002, as well as Come Out ’99.

In her current position as Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the national museum for film, TV, games, digital culture and art, she has developed innovative multi-platform and hybrid projects.

FACEBOOK ANZ LOSES MD

Facebook Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Stephen Scheeler has left the company. He took over the top job in August 2015 after being Head of Retail and Automotive.

Facebook has recently had its data questioned and has agreed to having its metrics audited by an outside third party.

NOVA’S SIMON BAGGS MOVES TO NIGHT

Simon Baggs, who has been presenting Nova’s weekend shifts on Nova 96.9 Sydney now takes over the weekday 10:00pm to 1:00am shift nationally. He replaces one time Home And Away cast member Jason ’Finn’ Smith who’s returning to focus on his acting. Baggs will also be heard on Breakfast weekends nationally.

NEW ED FOR BLUE ROOM THEATRE

Perth’s Blue Room Theatre gets a new Executive Director in April to replace Kerry O’Sullivan who leaves after five years. Julian Hobba was Program Manager: Arts and Culture for the Centenary of Canberra, and more recently, Artistic Director of Aspen Island Theatre Company.

VEVO GETS NEW SALES CHIEF

Vevo has named Kevin McGurn new Chief Sales Officer, based out of New York. He has served in executive positions at Shazam, Hulu and Fullscreen.

MARTIN MOVES TO MELBOURNE

Leigh-Roy Martin is moving to Melbourne to join Triple M as Operations Assistant and on-air floater. He previously served five years at LAFM Launceston as Music Director and Drive announcer.

KEN LAMPI HEADS ANU SCHOOL OF MUSIC

ANU Canberra’s Professor of Composition, Ken Lampi, who has had his music in 70 films, TV shows and video games, is the new Head of its School of Music. The newly established role of Deputy Head will be filled by classical and jazz tenor Paul McMahon who currently heads the performance program. They both begin on March 1.

Lampi has taught at the Juilliard School in New York (where he studied) as well as the Shanghai Conservatory and the Danish National Conservatory.

He takes over at a turbulent time for the school. It’s taken 18 months to find a permanent replacement. Last year, a six month independent review found the school needed a major overhaul, after finding declining academic standards, a dysfunctional culture and poor management. The ANU has confirmed $12.5 million to rebuild the faculty’s brand.

PAGE LEAVES DARWIN

Grant Broadcasters’ HOT 100/MIX News Director Andrew Page has been transferred to the newsroom at 2ST and Power FM Shoalhaven, NSW.

CHANGES AT BIENNALE OF SYDNEY BOARD

The Biennale of Sydney announced two additions to its board, and one departure. Naseema Sparks AM’s background in advertising and marketing included roles such as Managing Director and Global Partner of M&C Saatchi.

Danielle Earp’s 18 years in visual arts and cultural organisations, includes six years at the Biennale of Sydney leading the exhibition division.

After five years on the board, Michael Whitworth is stepping down.