Musical Chairs: July 27

Warner Australia digital chief joins YouTube Music

Former Warner Music Australia and Australian Radio Network exec Chris Philips has joined YouTube Music in San Francisco as Product Marketing Manager. A big fan of basketball and hip hop, Philips has been in the US since mid-2014 after leaving Warner, where he was Head of the newly formed Digital and Consumer Insight division and represented the label on the ARIA Chart & Marketing Committee. At ARN he was Marketing Manager, beginning in 2011 for two years.

Quincy Buchanan has joins Universal Music Australia for A&R role

The Founder and Creative Director of innovative production company The Grindhouse, Quincy Buchanan, has joined UMA as Senior Manager, A&R, effective immediately.

In this role, Buchanan will be responsible for signing and developing artists for Island, Casablanca, Lost Highway and UMA’s labels. He will be based in UMA’s Sydney offices and report directly to Michael Taylor, Managing Director of Universal Music Australia, and join A&R Manager Chris White on the A&R team.

Prior to The Grindhouse, Buchanan served as A&R Manager at Warner Music Australasia from 2005-2008. Among his signings were Ladyhawke and Children Collide.

“We are excited to have Quincy join UMA’s A&R team,” Mike Taylor said. “His top knowledge, skill and ears are already very well respected in the industry, and his recent experience as a successful entrepreneur have now further honed those chops. He approaches projects with a vision that focuses on the future of our business and his added understanding and ability to execute award-winning music content will be a great asset to our company.”

Universal Music Publishing promotes David Gray

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) promoted David Gray to Executive Vice President/Head of West Coast A&R. He was previously SVP, Creative Affairs and the hit-driven executive’s signings to the global company include multi-platinum names as Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas/DNCE.

As a songwriter himself, leading RCA-signed band Idle Wilds, he was in A&R senior roles at Zomba and David Massey’s Daylight Records imprint at Sony Music. At Syco Music, he developed artists signed to the label from the TV shows X Factor and America’s Got Talent. Gray also oversaw contestant music for both TV series.

Green’s new role includes leading the A&R team to find and nurture fresh talent, his brief is also to develop global opportunities for UMPG’s artists and songwriters. Based in Los Angeles, Gray reports to Jody Gerson, UMPG Chairman and CEO, and Evan Lamberg, UMPG President – North America.

Etihad Stadium appoints new CEO

Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium has officially confirmed Michael Green as its new CEO. Green was acting in that position after the departure of British-born Paul Sergeant in February after 3 ½ years. Even at that stage, Etihad Stadium had no plans to start a global search for the role. It was obvious that Green was always the man for the job. He joined the venue in1998 while it was still under construction and has held a number of executive commercial and operational role. Unlike Sergeant who struck strict deals with sporting clubs, Green’s approach is more collaborative. He also has close ties with the music and entertainment sectors.

Nigel Johnson leaves radio …

When Nigel Johnson leaves the drive shift of Mix 106.3 on July 29, it will be the end of nearly 19 years on Canberra radio, He is shifting careers, joining the media and comms team with the Emergency Services Agency ACT ESA. Johnson is the third Mix drive presenter to join ESA, the others being Greg Allan (whom Johnson is now replacing) and Jeff Garner.

Johnson moved to Mix in February after a lengthy period presenting breakfast at FM104.7 (now Hit104.7). Rob Duckworth takes over Drive at Mix106.3 from August 1 until September 17.

Mix106.3 and Hit104.7 Content Director Jason Matthews emphasised Johnson’s “many years of service and his contribution to both stations. He is one of Canberra’s most loved radio personalities and I am sure all his loyal listeners will join us in wishing him all the very best on his new career.”

… so does Hobart’s Matt Newell

Matt Newell has left SCA’s Hit 100.9 in Hobart after three years, and announced he’s joining real estate agency Harcouts Hobart. “It was an amazing three years, but one door closes and another opens!” he posted on social media. During his time on air, Newell came out of the closet and campaigned for marriage equality. It won’t be a complete cutting ties with media: he continues as a casual weather presenter on Southern Cross Television.

Newell emerged on reality TV series My Kitchen Rules with his father Mick, who later became a breakfast announcer on 101.7 7HO FM.

Kobalt reveals new COO and CFO

Music services firm Kobalt promoted James Fitzherbert-Brockholes to the role of COO (he joined the firm in 2001) and hired Tom Sansone from the Gilt Groupe to succeed him as its new CFO. Both report to Kobalt founder and CEO, Willard Ahdrtiz.

UMG expands film/TV sync

Universal Music Group hired Maria Alonte as SVP of film and television synchronisation for Def Jam, Island and Republic. She will also handle sync for video games, ads and other visual media, based in Santa Monica. She was moat recently SVP of film and TV at Kemosabe Records and Prescription Songs with stints at District Music Publishing, Red Light Management, Nettwerk Music Group and Arista Records.

New role for Smith at Warner/Chappell

Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, appointed Paul Smith to its UK operations as Senior International Creative Manager from November. He replaces Jane Bell, who has moved to its New York operations. Smith was previously Creative Director at 365 Artists – a London-based management company for songwriters, record producers, engineers and artists.

Matt Bern named GM of Territory FM

Darwin based 104.1 Territory FM’s new GM is Matt Bern, its drive presenter. Bern has been 20 years on air. Bern says the station, which set up 37 years ago and has 30 volunteers, “has maintained its reputation for being one of the most professional community radio stations in the country.”

Randy Phillips to head SFX?

Media reports from the US are suggesting that former AEG Live impresario Randy Phillips might be in line to take over as CEO of EDM empire SFX Entertainment from Bob Sillerman as the company emerges from bankruptcy. Phillips was at AEG Live for 13 years. Among his coups was to broker the comeback deal for Michael Jackson and the This Is It tour, which was to kick off at London’s O2 Arena before Jackson died during LA rehearsals.

University job for NZ metal guitarist

Robin Gauld, guitarist with New Zealand 1980s band Skeptics, is now, at 52, the Otago University’s new Dean of School of Business’s professor of public policy, administration and management. The intense music of Skeptics, formed in a Palmerston North school, was described by Shihad’s Jon Toogood as “Motorhead played on lots of mushrooms and acid by a Flying Nun band”.

New Chair for BASCA

BASCA (The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) has appointed Crispin Hunt as its new Chairman. Hunt, multi-platinum selling songwriter and producer, has worked with Florence and The Machine, Lana Del Ray, Ellie Goulding, Jake Bugg and Rod Stewart, and been a global campaigner for musicians’ rights.

Barney Glover to head Powerhouse Museum

The NSW Government announced Barney Glover as Chairman of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Trust which oversees Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. Glover is the Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University. The state opposition immediately condemned the appointment, claiming it was “a political appointment”. Glover has been a staunch supporter of the Museum’s move to western Sydney.

Junkee, FasterLouder get new editors

Junkee Media promoted Entertainment and Features Editor Meg Watson to the role of Editor. She replaces founding Editor Steph Harmon who left for The Guardian Australia last November. Watson, based in Melbourne, joined the company two years ago. In another addition, FBi’ Radio’s news and current affairs program Backchat co-host Osman Faruqi is Junkee News and Political Editor.

Another Junkee Media title, FasterLouder, sees staff writer Lachlan Kanoniuk promoted to Editor.