Musical Chairs: June 1

EX-AMRAP GM CHRIS JOHNSON SETS UP ONTOITMEDIA

Former Amrap general manager Chris Johnson has set up a new venture called Ontoitmedia to provide more gig opportunities in hospitality venues, festivals and events.

It provides these with consultancy, tailored website and online marketing platforms to encourage and help expand their music offerings.

In 2003 at the age of 22, Johnson the was founding manager of Tasmanian youth radio station Edge, before overseeing Amrap in 2008.

The rest of the team were also with Amrap, with its chief software developer Ben Briedis as head of product development; Brooke Olsen (FBi, Sound Summit, Marrickville venue Dirty Shirlows) as project manager; Chelsea Deeley (Global Rhythms festival, Eastside Radio MD) as project manager, and Amrap’s radio website services coordinator Maddy Stirton as project manager.

CHARLIE CUSH NEW CEO AT BRISBANE FESTIVAL

Charlie Cush takes over as chief executive officer at the Brisbane Festival on July 16. He takes over from Valmay Hill who left in March after eight years in the role.

Cush is currently general manager of Brisbane-based contemporary circus company Circa.

He has held leadership roles within Brisbane City Council and the Local Government Association of Queensland, and the Commonwealth Games arts and cultural program.

He is also a member for the Queensland University of Technology Advisory Board; fellow and member for the International Society of Performing Arts; and founding member of the Queensland Chamber of Arts and Culture.

Festival chair Paul Spiro said the festival had undertaken a global search to lead the company but opted for the fact he shared Queensland roots with artistic director David Berthold.

“As incoming CEO, Charlie has the proven strategic acumen, established local, national and international networks, and deep affinity for his hometown of Brisbane to deliver unrivalled success in this role,” Spiro said.

NEW ABC MANAGERS FOR MELBOURNE, HOBART

ABC Radio has two local managers in the regional and local division – Dina Rosendorff leading Melbourne operations from June 12 and Samantha Stayner in the same role in Hobart from July 9.

SOUNDCLOUD HIRES CONTENT PARTNERSHIPS EXEC

SoundCloud appointed Mark Eisenberg as senior vice president, content partnerships. From his base in New York, he will oversee its global content licensing efforts and business relationships with rights holders including record labels, music publishers, PROs and collecting societies.

He was previously SVP of strategic initiatives at SoundExchange and before that executive vice president and head of business and legal affairs for Sony Music Entertainment’s Global Digital Business Group.

NEW BOARD FOR RED HOT ARTS CENTRAL

Alice Springs-based Red Hot Arts Central has a new board – Jason Quin (chair), Jonny Rowden (deputy), Rob Burdon (public officer), Jen Standish-Whit (treasurer), Darren Ryan, newcomer 8CCC station manager Benjamin Erin (secretary), Catherine Satour (ASTC) and Markus Kuchenbuch.

NOVA’S GOAT WEBSITE LOOKING FOR EDITOR

Nova Entertainment’s new youth mobile-only platform, announced in March, is looking for an editor.

The role will deliver a ‘fresh take’ on entertainment and news, as well as will commission, edit and create video, audio and written pieces for the platform.

SEXTON AT ART HOUSE

City of Melbourne’s contemporary and experimental venue Art House has hired Emily Sexton as artistic director, starting this month.

Sexton’s lengthy CV includes AD of Next Wave, creative producer at Melbourne Fringe and most recently head of programming for the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing & Ideas.

ABC LOSING REBECCA HEAP

ABC TV’s head of distribution for entertainment and specialist Rebecca Heap is exiting after four years

She joined in 2014 as head of strategy and digital products in 2014, and head of programming and digital in 2016.

Michael Carrington, head of children’s content, will take over in the interim.

PANDORA PROMOTES LAUREN NAGEL

Pandora promoted Lauren Nagel to VP, executive creative director. After creating 2,000 custom ads each month, Nagel will expand her role by underlining the art of storytelling for the brand and original content offerings.

CLARKE AT BUZZFEED

Jenna Clarke exits Bauer Media to join BuzzFeed Australia as head of BuzzFeed Originals, overseeing entertainment, lifestyle content and editorial strategy.

SHALA HEADS TO SHEPPARTON

Josiah Shala, panel operator for Nova Entertainment’s Fitzy & Wippa Sydney breakfast show for the last five years, now co-hosts his own show at Southern Cross Austereo’s Hit96.9 in Shepparton in Victoria alongside Perth-hailede Elly Chaney from June 21.