Musical Chairs: Frank Tapia joins Chinese Laundry; Ben Marshall curating Vivid LIVE; Universal losing its global digital business head; Changes at Albury Hub

Ben Marshall curating Vivid LIVE

In its seventh year. Vivid LIVE is overseen by the Opera House’s Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall. After bringing the likes of The National, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Dead Can Dance, Violent Femmes, The Dirty Three Yo La Tango and Flying Lotus to the Opera House Concert Hall stage, Marshall’s first announcement for Vivid Live was Morrissey for four performances May 26, May 27, May 30 and May 31.

Twenty years ago Marshall was a solicitor by day and EMD promoter by night. At 27 he joined Inertia and set up Civil Society (now Handsome Tours) and brought out The National, Grizzly Bear, Sia and The xx. Bad Seeds and Dirty Three member Warren Ellis lauded Marshall for bringing alt-rock acts to the Opera House “in an attempt to honour the artistic beats in contemporary music, as is de rigueur in the equivalent European and American concert halls.”

Sony DADC’s Australian operation under new global President

Sony DADC’s Australian operation comes under its new global President and CEO Dietmar Tanzer. He took over this week from Dieter Daum who stepped down after leading the company since 2003. Tanzer, formerly SVP of Operations, oversees Australia, Europe, China, Hong Kong and India.

Frank Tapia joins Sydney’s Chinese Laundry

The partnership between Merivale’s Sydney nightclub Chinese Laundry, Ministry of Sound and Soapbox Events hired Franky Tapia as Club Promoter for Chinese Laundry. Starting this week, he works alongside Jackson Donegal (BASSIC on Fridays) and Elinor Williams (LNDRY on Saturdays) and deliver Garden Parties, residencies and international headliners. Tapia hammered with Canberra’s Trinity, Meche and All Our Friends Music Festival and the Thank You Ma’am club night.

Renee Bargh extends Extra stay

Renee Bargh told the Sunday Telegraph she extended her contract with Extra channel for another three years. She moved to LA in 2010 as its weekend co-host and correspondent.

Eric Napper to head ABC ACT News

The ABC has tapped its News Executive Producer, Eric Napper, to take over as ACT News Editor, replacing John Mulhall who is retiring.

Universal Music losing its global digital business head

Universal Music Group’s President of Global Digital Business Rob Wells is leaving after nearly 15 years. He won’t be directly replaced but his responsibilities will be redistributed. Similarly, when UMG Distribution’s President and CEO Jim Urie left a few months ago, his sales & marketing, data analysis and brand marketing went to various executives.

Changes at Albury Hub

Brendan Englebrecht is new Albury Content Director/Hub Operations Manager. He has been at the Albury Hub since 2007.

The Assistant Content Director role is filled by Alison Donnellan, who has been Assistant CD/Announcer at 105.7 The River for the past three years

Jane Intini helming Access All Areas

Long time Adelaide festival manager and publicist Jane Intini is coordinating upcoming Radio Adelaide program Access All Areas. Set to bow in April, the show will be created, produced and presented by young people aged 18 – 25 with a physical disability, and will air Wednesdays at 2pm.

SCA’s Darren Kerry heads to Pac Mags

One time Southern Cross Austereo digital executive Darren Kerry, who headed its digital design, development and product team, takes over as head of Digital and Innovation at Pacific Magazines on March 23. He will launch new digital products and services across all platforms for its brands and titles.

Monk, Avila, to run new Essential Media Brisbane office

Independent production company Essential Media and Entertainment has opened a new Brisbane office, courtesy the Screen Queensland Enterprise program. Award-winning scripted entertainment writer Roger Monk and development assistant Emily Avila (ex-See Saw Films) will run the office and

spearhead the strategic development of scripted content with Queensland screen practitioners. It is currently co-developing a teen comedy drama 26-part series Camp Crazy with Carbon Media set in Queensland.

CUB makes Richard Oppy permanent marketing head

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), which has strong sponsorship ties to the Australian music industry, has made Acting Marketing Director Richard Oppy’s role a permanent one. He joined the company in 2001 in divisional marketing and management appointments.

Dylan Finch at 2NZ/GEM

Dylan Finch, best known for his Hype! program at Sydney community station Northside Radio (2NSB) is now at 2NZ/GEM FM in Inverell. He received a Diploma of Radio at Petersham TAFE and Graduate Diploma at AFTRS.

Apple hiring Pop Culture Editor for iTunes

Apple has ramped up plans for its music streaming initiative, recently retaining music executive Jimmy Iovine to spot the next big thing in music and technology and wooing tastemaker Zane Lowe from the BBC. It is now scouting for an "editorial producer” to cover pop culture at iTunes. The London-based job will also be involved in branding and cross-marketing, and indicates iTunes is about to go through a significant revamp.

Steve Wherrett rejoins games industry

One time PolyGram Music National Account Manager Steve Wherrett has since made a name for himself in the games industry with stints at Sony Computer Entertainment Australia and SCEA. After taking time off for studying and consultant work, he’s back as Partnerships Manager at Xbox Australia.

Tricia Duffield heading news at 2ST, Power FM

South Coast and Tablelands Broadcasters brought in long time print, TV and radio journalist Tricia Duffield as News Director of 2ST and Power FM to succeed Graham French after his retirement.

Gill Stewart leaving NZ Radio Bureau

Gill Stewart resigned as General Manager of New Zealand’s The Radio Bureau, the j/v sales arm of MediaWorks and NZME.

New Chair for RPH Australia

Vaughn Bennison is new Chair of 18-outlet community radio reading network RPH Australia, following Peter Luckett’s departure from the role after 13 years. RPH serves the print media needs of the 4.7 million Australians with a print disability due to physical, literacy, learning and vision reasons.

New management additions for Val Morgan

Cinema advertiser Val Morgan expanded its Grandfit unit executive team with Clare Whiteman as Strategy Manager (ex Southern Cross Austereo Seven Affiliate Sales) and former Anytime Fitness marketing head Sammy Dalglish as Marketing Manager. Cinema had a strong start to 2015 with bookings up 10% in its first two weeks to $6.8 million according to SMI figures, during a time that $40 million was taken at the box office.

McMahon heading sales at NEC Perth

Kate McMahon takes over as Sales Director Perth at Nine Entertainment Company after Reece Hogan stepped down.