Musical Chairs: July 13

Image:Nina Las Vegas scored her own monthly radio show

Label veteranMatt Nugent launches own title

As the former GM and A&R Managerfor ONELOVE, theDance Music consultant and product manager for Sony Music and Marketing Manager at Central Station Records,Matt Nugent has achieved multiple Double Platinum and Gold sales in Australia.

Nugent is now stepping out on his own, announcing the launch of his own label Double-Up Records earlier today. Based in Sydney, the label will sign, develop and nurture Australian talent for the world, as well as license international music for release in Australia and New Zealand.

Offerings from house and electronic music artists Harry Romero, Illyus & Barrientos and Croatia Squadare already scheduled for release.

Ex-Nova exec joins Waterfront

Sydney0based marketing communications agency Waterfront, has tapped Chantalle Taylor for the new role of Partnerships and Marketing Director. Responsible for managing all major partnerships and delivery of all event activations, Chantalle also brings her 22 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry to a broader marketing remit for Waterfront and their clients.

Chantalle has a 22-year history in the media and entertainment industry having held the role of Integration Director Roles at Nova and as the Head of Tactics for 2DayFM as well as The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Most recently she built a national activations function and client service team for Mamamia Women’s Network.

BMG names Zach Katz as Head of U.S. Operation

German music company BMG named Zach Katz as new President of U.S. Repertoire and Marketing. Billboard points out that the American market is extremely important to BMG, accounting for half of the US$500 million it is expected to generate this year. Katz, who replaces Laurent Hubert who held the role since BMG’s re-founding in 2009 and appointed Katz, will oversee BMG teams in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville as well as Rise Records in Portland, Oregon.

Katz was previously President of Music Publishing, a role he held earlier this year. He was responsible for the signings of Bebe Rexha, DJ Snake, Monsters & Strangerz, John Ryan, Bibi Bourelly, The Strokes, Greg Wells, Verse Simmonds, Gente De Zona and Nathaniel Rateliff.

New Commercial Director for Nova Brisbane

Nova Entertainment has appointed Michael Graham to the role of Commercial Director for the Brisbane sales team from October. The company said, “He is accountable for the overall Brisbane sales performance, the achievement of revenue and profit objectives, inspiring and achieving high levels of team performance and engagement, developing market leading creative for clients and align local market sales objectives with Nova Entertainment’s business strategies.”

With a media and sales career extending over 13 years, Graham was most recently Agency Sales Director for ARN in Sydney, a role he held since October 2012. He joined Triple M as Direct Sales Manager in June 2008, and promoted a year later to Agency Sales Manager for Austereo (now SCA). In April 2012 he moved to APN News and Media.

New radio gig for Nina Las Vegas

High profile club DJ and producer Nina Las Vegas scored her own monthly radio show Collect All And Rave on Red Bull Music Academy radio. Her first guest was Diplo. After international touring this year (including an impressive set at Coachella) she is doing an eight-date Australian run through July and August in the wake of the issue of single Substitute through her own NLV Records, and which features label mate Swick on vocals.

Industry Liaison for Good Music Neighbours scheme

Shaun Adams has joined Music Victoria’s team as Industry Liaison for the state’s Good Music Neighbours. It was announced in May between the Government’s Creative Victoria arts and music division, the national Live Music Office and Music Victoria. It helps venues to sort out sound and other issues with residents and authorities.

Music Victoria described Adams’ role as providing “part time support and advice to Victorian venues and facilitate a better understanding of live music noise management throughout the year, as well as assist venues in applying for matched funding for good sound management in the lead up to and during annual funding rounds.” He is reached at gmn@musicvictoria.com.au or on (03) 9686 3411.

Perth’s RTRFM unveils three new exec positions

Perth community radio station RTRFM tapped long time member and Full Frequency presenter Will Bixler as new Music Coordinator. He takes over from Music Director Adam Christou who is relocating to Melbourne to take over as Triple R’s Interviews Coordinator.

Other appointments at the Perth station were Peter Barr taking on Program Manager duties while breakfast presenter and producer Caitlin Nienaber is new Music Interviews Coordinator.

New role for Apple Music’s European chief of music

Neil West, highly respected Head of Music for Apple Music and iTunes Europe, has left his position; but not the company. He is, sources say, heading its apps and games divisions. West helped set up the company as an imposing tastemaker in the European markets.

will.i.am expands Voice UK role

Producer and performer will.i.am, who’s been on The Voice UK during its five year run on the BBC, confirmed he’ll continue with the show when it moves over to ITV. He’ll also be involved in the new spin-off The Voice Kids, which had debuted in Australia some years back. “I know The Voice switched to ITV, but I’m not going to Brexit The Voice UK,” he quipped. He is the first of the judges to announce his return.

McFarlane to head SEN Sydney sales

Pacific Star Network named Melanie McFarlane as Sydney Sales Manager of 1116SEN.

4TOFM moves Mintern to new slot

4TOFM Townsville moved Glenn Mintern from the 9 am to 11 am slot after four years to handle afternoon/drive from 1 pm to 6 pm. Mark Edwards takes over mid-mornings.

Destination NSW appoints Regional Manager in China

As part of Destination NSW’s heightened presence in the Asian markets, Nathan Pei has become its new Regional Manager in China to provide initiatives to increase Chinese tourism to NSW. In the year ended March 2016, visitors from China spent $2.6 billion in NSW.

Pei will manage offices in Shanghai, Chengdu and the Beijing office, which opened in April 2016. He was previously Director Greater China at the Scandinavian Tourist Board where he was responsible for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Artistic Director for 2018 Biennale of Sydney

The Artistic Director for 2018 Biennale of Sydney is Japan’s Mami Kataoka – the first Asian to take that role since it began in 1973. Kataoka is Chief Curator at Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum.

Bravo NZ announces new board

Bravo New Zealand, the new joint venture between MediaWorks and NBC Universal which replaced youth-oriented channel Four, will have Maria Mahony as GM. She was previously Head of Content and Programming at Lightbox.

Its board will be led by NBC Universal’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Chris Taylor. It includes Justin Che and Christine Fellowes of NBC Universal, Andrew Szusterman of MediaWorks and reality TV identity Julie Christie.

Dan Ilić joins USA’s Fusion

Australian satirist Dan Ilić has joined the Fusion, a US network focused on millennial viewers, as Los Angeles-based Executive Producer for Comedy. The network’s shows include Rude Tube, The Chris Gethard Show, Strange Medicine and The Cannabusiness Report.

WIN sales appointment

Stephen Breheny will take over management of WIN Network’s sales in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. He previously ran in the Gippsland operations.

Rubin to head licensing at Beggars Group

Abby Rubin is new Licensing Director for the UK’s The Beggars Group of Labels, which includes 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade Records, Young Turks and XL Recordings. Rubin was previously Rights Management Specialist for Vice Media, where she handled global outgoing licensing of Vice digital content.

Herd at Deezer

As Deezer sets course to drive “rapid business expansion”, it appointed Julia Herd to the newly created position of Vice President of Communications. Deezer’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Golan Shaked, commented: “We are extremely excited to have Julia on board at a time when the digital music landscape is becoming both more mainstream and more competitive. With 16 years’ experience in running both corporate and consumer communications programmes for a number of challenger brands, we are confident that Julia will help take us to the next stage of our development.”

New breakfast team for Zinc 100.7

Zinc 100.7 Townsville this week unveiled its new breakfast team of former Big Brother housemate Jess Hardy and Vinnie Aston. Since appearing on BB in 2002, Hardy has had roles on pay-TV and free to air as well as radio stations as Nova 100 Melbourne. Aston makes his Australian debut: he’s worked in New Zealand for 22 years, including The Rock and More FM Tauranga.

Zinc moved long-time breakfast host Karina Bennett to mornings.