Musical Chairs: February 17

Polydor’s Unger-Hamilton move to Sony confirmed

Rumours Polydor President Ferdy Unger-Hamilton was moving to Sony are confirmed. Unger-Hamilton has the buzz with his signings Ellie Goulding, The 1975 and Years & Years. He is expected to set up a joint venture with Polydor parent company Universal’s main rival.

Jesse Hooper joins Collarts as Head of Music

Killing Heidi/ Verses co-founder, guitarist, songwriter and producer Jesse Hooper (pictured),is new Head of Music Performance Degree at Collarts Music College in Melbourne. Hooper’s recent career has seen him work with young people in music and the arts. He currently collaborates with The Artful Dodgers Studios and Australia’s first entertainment social enterprise booking agency Amplify while also completing his Masters of International Music Business.

“Collarts is an innovative and industry-aligned institution and I look forward to continuing to integrate my experience in contemporary music into the course design and delivery,” he said.

Perth’s Eoin Cameron retiring

Top rating 720 ABC Perth presenter Eoin Cameron announced he will present his final show on Friday March 11. The retirement move, after a 14-year radio career comes as no surprise. He is doing it with great reluctance. Cameron has told listeners previously he has not returedn to work full time after a 2013 car accident. He’s had numerous operations and finds it hard to walk.

NZ Music Commission farewells Gary Fortune

New Zealand Music Commission farewelled its long-time International Manager Gary Fortune. He led the international music market development scheme Outward Sound and the International Strategy at the Music Commission for the past ten years. He represented NZ and coordinated its delegations at all the major music trade shows including SXSW and CMJ Music Marathon in USA, The Great Escape in the UK, Womex in Europe and the Australasian World Music Expo. His achievements were recognised when Outward Sound won Best Export Office at the British YMCAs – the Yearly Music Conference Awards in 2014

Since its 2006 launch, Outward Sound has supported almost 400 New Zealand bands, musicians and music businesses to work offshore in international markets. Victoria Blood, Chairperson of the Music Commission, said “We should all be grateful for Gary’s decade of dedication to the cause. Ten years ago it would have been unimaginable that so many of our artists would be enjoying real careers on an international level. He will be much missed.”

ACMA Chairman Chapman exiting

Chris Chapman, who is the longest serving head of ACMA, is exiting the agency and will be replaced in the interim by Deputy Chair Richard Bean.

6IX throws bash, unveils new names

Forever Classic 6IX threw a bash at South of Perth Yacht Club to unveil plans to become “Perth’s radio station” GM Evan Broadway said in his welcome address. The new Breakfast team of Maddie Burke and Tim Gossage has guests Lisa Fernandez and Tom Percy QC joining regulars netball identity Nat Medhurst, West Coast Eagles’ Jeremy McGovern and Fremantle Dockers’ Lachie Neale.

Kobalt creates another global marketing position

Kobalt has created the new global role of Chief Marketing Officer and promoted central marketing head Ryan Wright to fill it. Based in New York, he will work with Kobalt’s divisions – publishing, neighbouring rights, Kobalt Labels Services – on brand messaging, client experience and engagement, and launching new services and technology products.

Kobalt founder & CEO, Willard Ahdritz said Wright “played a key role in positioning Kobalt as the leading voice in music for transparency, technology and creators’ rights. And will be instrumental as we launch our aggressive lineup of new tech products and services that will continue to put our clients first and deliver the best results for them.” Wright forged close relationships in Australia when heading Jive’s Asia Pacific operations while based in Singapore.

New MD for Decca Classics

Universal Music’s Decca Classics tapped Dr. Alexander Buhr as new Managing Director. He was MD of Mercury Classics (which he founded in 2012), and retains that role as it joins Decca Records Group. Predecessor Paul Moseley is now SVP of Strategic Content and Partnerships at Global Classics.

New breakfast, drive, shows at RadioWest

Bunbury’s SCA RadioWest has introduced changes for two timeslots bringing in high profile Ian ‘Blackers’ Blackley to host breakfast, and moving Cliff Reeve to the new drive program from 4pm to 7pm. Suzanne McGill joins the daytime line-up with dedicated SouthWest show.

Rachel McLarnon at HIT Brisbane

Rachel McLarnon is at HIT 105 in Brisbane. She previously presented mornings at NXFM 106.9 Newcastle for nine months. “I’m going metro baby!” she yelled.

Eckhart gets the Spirit

Former Southern Cross Austereo regional WA accounts exec and presenter David Eckhart now does 10 am – 4 pm weekdays at Spirit 1026 Hedland.

WMG promotes Mike Caren to dual role

Mike Caren, who has written or produced for Beyonce and Kanye West, has a dual role at Warner Music Group. Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group have made a long-term A&R and marketing investment in Artist Partners which Caren founded. He is promoted to CEO of Artist Partners and Creative Officer for WMG. Caren was co-President of the re-launched Elektra Records from 2009 until 2012, when he became President of WMG’s Worldwide A&R.

Stan’s John Beohm takes reins at SBS 2

SVOD Stan’s Senior Programmer John Beohm starts as SBS 2 Channel Manager, Television and Online Content, from next Monday. He will ensure “the channel continues with its distinctive positioning as the home of adventurous, provocative and diverse content from across the globe for 18-39-year-olds, to inspire them to explore and appreciate the value of our multicultural world”.

Mi9 loses another senior exec

Nine’s digital division Mi9 lost another senior executive, this time Chief Information Officer Kelly Ferguson. Over the last 18 months, many Mi9 execs left in a restructure which saw Nine take over the technology and sales functions.

Nigel Johnson back on Canberra radio

Nigel Johnson is back on Canberra radio, on Drive on MIX 106.3. His 18-year radio career saw him on virtually every timeslot, including the Hot 30 Countdown.

Russell back on breakfast

Aaron Kearney’s cereal slot at 1233 ABC Newcastle is now hosted by Garth Russell.

Charlie Walk struts up at Republic

After three years as Executive Vice President at Universal Music division Republic Group overlooking artist development, marketing and promotion, Charlie Walk is now President, with a brief to expand its partnerships. Republic is enjoying huge success with The Weeknd and Nick Jonas.

BrandHook joined by Tim Biddlecombe

Sydney-based brand insights company BrandHook has brought in research and marketing pro, Tim Biddlecombe, as Head of Strategy. Biddlecombe co-founded The Leading Edge Market Research Consultants in Sydney in 1990.

Music Viva expands education strength

Australian composer, artistic director and musician, Michael Sollis, is Musica Viva’s new Artistic Director of Education. Sollis has long been associated with its school music education program, having been ACT Manager since 2008.

Moves at the top at ABC TV

ABC TV is losing two senior executives. Head of Children’s, Deirdre Brennan, leaves end of March, reportedly for an overseas appointment. Carole Sklan, who joined inn 2009 as Commissioning Editor, Drama, is also leaving late next month.

Malthouse’s Female Director in Residence

Melbourne’s innovative Malthouse Theatre has chosen Janice Muller as 2016 female resident director. Now in its sixth year, it offers funding for female theatre-makers to develop their careesr through day-to-day activities, independent projects and mentorship opportunities.