Musical Chairs: July 7

UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA CLICKS IN STEPHEN HUNT

As Universal Music Australia eyes the next level of technology and trends, it has clicked in Stephen Hunt(right) as Managing Director of Emerging Technology and Media. He will head the strategic direction and operational management of its digital team.

Hunt, who was at the forefront of the country’s programmatic sector, was Managing Director of TubeMogul APAC. He has also worked in New York and Los Angeles in the new technology sector.

Last month, Universal Music’s French parent Vivendi said it was buying Havas, in a long-expected merger that will create an advertising, media content and entertainment giant.

NEW HEAD FOR BET NETWORKS

America’s BET cable network announced Viacom International exec Michael D. Armstrong as its new General Manager.

“Michael exemplifies the values of strong, dynamic leadership — and his vast knowledge of our industry and how our audiences connect with content is unmatched,” said BET Chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee.

BET lost its Programming President and Head of Originals Stephen Hill in March.

SCA’S MELISSA HENVILLE MOVES TO SBS

Southern Cross Austereo’s National Trading and Operations Director Melissa Henville has moved to SBS where she will be Group Trading Inventory Manager for its media team.

Based in Sydney, she will manage SBS’ national trading team and pricing strategies across TV, radio and digital platforms.

Before joining Southern Cross Austereo, Henville was at NOVA Entertainment, and was part of the foundation team of Nova 969 Sydney and the Vega/smoothfm brand.

MÜLLER TO HEAD NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

Jan Müller has accepted a four-year appointment from the Federal Government to head the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra.

The one time Saatchi & Saatchi advertising executive was more recently President of the International Federation of Television Archives and Chair of the Europeana Foundation.

Replacing former CEO Michael Loebenstein, Muller will lead the archive’s investment in digitisation and modernisation program, following his similar work in the Netherlands.

The archives preserves music recordings, films, television, photographs, video games, websites and interactive documentaries.

ROB OWEN JOINS WARNER/CHAPPELL

Former senior EMI marketing executive Rob Owen joins Warner/Chappell Music as VP, Creative, Catalogue and Marketing UK at the end of the month.

In this newly created role, he will be championing Warner/Chappell catalogue of songwriting which ranges from Rod Temperton to Led Zeppelin to Skepta.

Owen began his career in 1999 working in marketing and product roles for EMI Catalogue, looking after a wide ranging roster of acts as David Axelrod, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, ELO, Glen Campbell, NEU!, Peter Gabriel, The Band, The Beach Boys and The Specials.

He subsequently joined Parlophone Records in 2003 as a Senior Product Manager and rose through the ranks to become Marketing Director in 2008. Parlophone appointed Owen Vice President, Marketing in 2010.

SCA’S CHRIS DERRICK TO CO-CHAIR IAB AUDIO COUNCIL

Chris Derrick, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) Head of Digital Strategy has been elected by the IAB Australia Audio Council as its co-Chair. He takes over from Rick Gleave who had the role for two years.

“The growth of streaming – both of radio stations and on-demand – and the explosion of podcasting is increasing the ranges of content available to consumers,” he says.

With 18 years of experience spearheading digital strategy, Derrick is positioned to bring insights and experience from both the radio and digital industries

The Council is working on a number of education pieces, including guidance on best use of creative across different audio offerings.

ZAN ROWE LAUNCHES WEEKLY PODCAST

Zan Rowe’s triple j series on Fridays Take 5 has now become a podcast for listeners to download and listen to at their leisure. The show invitesguests to program and chat aboutfive songs that changed their lives.

The first few podcasts included Violent Soho’s sleep-deprived “sickie” five, Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace on the five key songs for her as she came to terms with her identity as a transgender woman, and visual artist Abdul Abdullah on the five which generated his making provocative art from the perspective of a Muslim Australian.

NEW CD FOR K ROCK

With the departure of Content Director and Departure Lounge co-host Leigh Kuhlmann after seven years, Geelong’s top rating K rock 95.5 has James Speed taking over from August 14.

He is currently Assistant Content Director and announcer of ’hit92.9’ Perth.

He has been in on-air and senior operations roles with SCA stations in Perth, Adelaide and Newcastle for the past 14 years.

PAUL BROWN PODCAST

Paul Brown of Triple M Brisbane launched a new music podcast Up Against The Wall for his hard rock website Wall of Sound which includes news, album and gig reviews, tour info, new music showcases and a music guest on each show.

OWNERSHIP CHANGE AT MEMO HALL

Simon Myers has taken over the reins of Melbourne live music venue MEMO Hall from Peter Foley and Leticia Maher. He has engaged Peter Bain Hogg and Jeremy Fox as agents for the venue.

JAMES MOODIE ENTERS THE ORCHARD

Former Vevo Senior Music & Talent Manager James Moodie has joined Sony-owned UK label and artist services firm for independents The Orchard as its Senior Marketing Manager.

PETER RIX STEPS DOWN

One-time artistmanager and events director Peter Rix has stepped down from his Executive Chairman role at the GPJ Australia agency after 14 years.

Rix’s 45-year career included managing Marcia Hines and Hush, creating and producing the ARIA Awards for 15 years and going on to be part of the production team of the Sydney Olympic Games, National Rugby League grand finals and a number of corporate events for global brands.

NEW EDITOR FOR Q

Q Magazine Features Editor Ted Kessler has been promoted to Editor.

Before his arrival at Q in 2004, he was a staff member at the NME.

CHANGES AT 5AA

After filling in on Alan Hickey’s FIVEaa Adelaide’s afternoon show for six months, Jade Robran turned down management’s offer to continue the timeslot with him after he returns on July 24.

But she wants to focus on her young family and departs the NOVA Entertainment station on July 14.

Tahni Schaefer, most recently the station’s Evenings Producer for the last two years, has departed to take up the role of Assistant Producer at Hit107’s Amos, Cat & Angus breakfast show.

VANESSA ANDREIS GETS USEFUL

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Group, which owns seven of the largest West End theatres including London Palladium, has hired former Warner partnership head Vanessa Andreis to fill the newly created role of Commercial Partnerships Director.

FROST LEAVES SCA

Following the axing of the Rove McManus & Sam Frost national night show on the Hit Network, Frost has left the broadcaster while McManus is working on a new project with SCA.

NEW ARRIVAL AT CMTO

Joining CMTO (Community Media Training Organisation) as National Training Manager is Emma Couch. She comes from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia where she organised its events including its conference and awards, and webinar program

Couch has a strong relationship with community radio beginning as a volunteer on Koori Radio and then five years at Radio Skid Row in roles including board member and producer.

IFPI’S NEW DC

The new Director of Communications at global recorded music industry peak body IFPI is John Blewett, based in London. Blewett has 10 years’ experience in communications.

WILDENBURG SETS UP SEDONA

Former Exit Films Managing Director and award-winning producer Kim Wildenburg has set up Sedona Productions in Sydney. It will bring together local and international directors and producers, and mixed media creatives, with agencies and clients.

It specialises in projects including live-action, VFX, graphic designer, character animation, VR, AR, interactive and experiential projects.

OK! EDITOR MOVES WW

Nicole Byers, Editor-In-Chief of celebrity magazine OK! for the past seven years, will replace Kim Doherty as Editor-In-Chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly.