Musical Chairs: July 14
SPOTIFY HIRES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EXPERT
In a week where Spotify was accused, and denied, making up heaps of fake acts on its playlists to cut down on royalties it has to pay out, it’s raised eyebrows with its latest hire.
Music Business Worldwide, which first made the allegations about the allegedly faked artists, revealed that the Swedish streaming company has poached François Pachet – one of the world’s foremost experts on the application of artificial intelligence in the world of popular music – from Sony.
Pachet has been with Sony for 20 years, based in Paris, and most recently Director of the Sony Computer Science Laboratory in Paris, where he leads the music research team.
In 2012, Pachet oversaw a project which created the first known pop songs composed with AI, as well as launching the first music label dedicated to the professional use of AI for music production.
Earlier this year, his creation Flow Creation created two tracks created using AI – Daddy’s Car, in the style of The Beatles, and The Ballad Of Mr Shadow in the style of US composers as Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington.
At Spotify, Pachet will create tools to help more people become composers. And this is something that is going to be of concern to us: Pachet has at conferences made the point that AI-written music shouldn’t require any royalties to be paid to copyright holders after it is published.
SIRE BRINGS IN RANI HANCOCK TO DRAW ACTS
Seymour Stein’s legendary Sire Records announced A&R executive Rani Hancock as its new President, effective August 1. Sire this year marks its 40th year with Warner Music Group.
“Whether it’s artists or executives, we’re focused on attracting and developing true talent who will pioneer the future of music,” said Max Lousada, WMG’s CEO of Recorded Music.
“Rani is the perfect example of our approach, as her own rare qualities will, in turn, draw original, genre-defying artists to Sire.
“Seymour built the label into a home for many of the world’s most influential artists, and I believe Rani will help us reignite Sire as a beacon for the bravest and biggest stars.
“She’s a first-class addition to our leadership, not only in the U.S., but on the global stage.”
Steun, a constant visitor to Australia who signed to Sire Records Australian acts as Radio Birdman, The Mixtures and The Veronicas, retains his title as Chairman.
SCA TAPS WILL ALLEN
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) appointed Will Allen as National Head of TV Sales. Allen began working at SCA in 2007 running its Brisbane sales team covering radio and TV.
He then worked on to work covering the two sectors at Australian Radio Network and media agencies.
In his role he’ll develop and oversee SCA’s TV sales strategy to maximise revenue in the short, medium and long-term.
HOT 91.1’S FACEBOOK SHOW
Hot 91.1’s breakfast team Dave, Sam & Ash launched a new interactive Facebook Live show last Sunday. Promising “fun interactive games”, the first show had country singer Caitlyn Shadbolt as guest while house band Next Level performed in the studio elevator.
NEW GLOBAL ROLE AT UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING
Universal Music Publishing has promoted Kevin Cady to Senior Vice President of Global Business Strategy and to Head of Finance for the Americas.
In addition to being responsible for financial operations in North America and Latin America, Cady will oversee deal and catalogue valuations, and work with global teams in executing strategic opportunities for the company.
UMPG Chief Operating Officer Marc Cimino said: “With over a decade of experience in evaluating business opportunities, Kevin will be a key contributor in driving our strategic growth as we continue providing the highest levels of service to our writers and partners.”’
TEG APPOINTS HAD OF DATA, DIGITAL, TECHNOLOGY
Australasian ticketing, live entertainment and data analytics company TEG brought in Mazen Kassis in its newly created role of Managing Director of Data, Digital and Technology.
After working in research and analytics capacities in Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe, Kassis’s brief is to drive integration and commercial focus across TEG’s businesses in data analytics, market research, loyalty programs, digital marketing and ticketing technology platforms.
SEA FM LOSES TEAM MEMBER
Sea FM Gold Coast is losing its surf reporter of 28 years, Andrew McKinnon on July 28.
The former World Longboard Champion surfer is planning to write three books – his autobiography, a diary of his gypsy surfing days from the mid-70s, and a book on Aussie surfing champ Bobby Brown who was murdered in the 1960s over a game of pool.
NEW HEAD OF MUSIC FOR SONY PICTURES
Sony Pictures Entertainment has promoted Spring Aspers to Head of Music. She will oversee all music-related facets of the company’s film labels.
In her previous role as Executive Vice President of Music Creative Affairs, she most recently worked with Edgar Wright on the soundtrack for the just-released hit film Baby Driver. In 2012, her soundtrack to Think Like A Man gave John Legend a Grammy nomination for Tonight (Best You Ever Had).
Beginning her career working with the Coen Brothers on The Big Lebowski and Ice Cube, she set up the soundtrack record at Island Def Jam Records where she helped produce soundtracks for 2 Fast 2 Furious, Jackass and Spider-Man.
ROLLING ON THE RIVER
Ilija Dugandzic has moved from being morning announcer at 96Five Brisbane, where he was for seven years, to handling the drive shift at River 949 Ipswich.
NEW EDITOR GETS THE OK!
Lucy Walker has been promoted at celebrity magazine OK! to Editor from Deputy Editor, a role she’s held for four years. Her predecessor Nicole Byers moved on to helm The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Her bosses at Bauer Media say Walker totally understands the magazine’s readership. She adds, “OK! is a brand that has been very close to my heart ever since it launched in Australia back in 2004. I’m delighted to be stepping into the top job and to be leading such a hard-working, passionate team.”
BENNY HOPE STEPS DOWN FROM BATHURST DUTIES
After accepting a role with the NSW Government, Benny Hope has stepped down as Music Director and breakfast host at 99.3 B-Rock FM Bathurst. But he will still present the Most Wanted Countdown on weekends.
B-Rock has installed Dominic Ingersole in the Music Director role and Daniel King will do the breakfast shift.
WHITE TO RUN ANZ OPERATIONS OF JUKIN MEDIA
Simon White will be responsible for licensing and partnerships for the Australian and New Zealand operations of US-based digital media and video generated company Jukin Media as it expands in the two territories. Headquartered in Los Angeles the company has offices in New York and London.
PRODUCERS FOR REGIONAL CENTRE FOR CULTURE
Jo Porter and Elizabeth Walsh will be Producers for the new Regional Centre for Culture initiative. It will be kick off next year in Victoria across the City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander Shire, Central Goldfields Shire and Hepburn Shire.
It is an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Creative State strategy.
Porter previously led Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre and Geelong theatre company Back To Back.
Walsh was Director of Footscray Community Arts Centre and former CEO and artistic director of Tasmania’s state-wide cultural festival Ten Days On The Island.
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