Musical Chairs: June 15

Image: WMG’s new Global VP, A&R produced releases by Jason Derulo

Warner Music creates global A&R post…

Warner Music Group has promoted Aton Ben-Horin to the newly-created position of Global VP, A&R. In this role, he will continue to provide A&R resources and creative support across WMG’s labels, in the US and abroad, and will help shape new talent and the label’s existing roster.

In its earlier role, as Senior Director, Global A&R, Ben-Horin produced or A&R’d releases as Flo Rida’s My House and G.D.F.R., Jason Derulo’s Talk Dirty and Wiggle and David Guetta’s Hey Mama and Bad. He’s also owner and CEO of Plush Management LLC and Plush Recording Studios.

…while UMG finds head of global physical operations

The manufacturing and distribution of all physical product by Universal Music Group in 60 countries including Australia, will now be overseen by Robert Ziegler from its Santa Monica headquarters. Ziegler, now appointed EVP of Global Physical Operations will be in charge of CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray discs and vinyl LPs. He was formerly at Sony Corp.

VIVID creator new ED for PIAF

Philip Rolfe will join the Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) as Executive Director for its 2017 Festival (February 10 – March 5). Working in the arts sector for 35 years, he has been arts director, producer and administrator. Major roles included Executive Producer Sydney Opera House, Executive Director Audience & Market Development at Australia Council, and Deputy Director Arts & Entertainment Australian Bicentennial Authority. He also developed and produced the first Vivid Live music festival in Sydney in 2009.

Tommy Little lands TV gig

Melbourne comedian and former Nova Melbourne breakfast co-host Tommy Little will host The Comedy Channel’s next season of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Australia. Foxtel has commissioned a 10-part series to premiere in the second half of 2016. Executive Producers are Kevin Whyte of Guesswork Television and Craig Campbell of +61 TV.

New board for A2IM

The label members of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) have voted in a new board. Stephanie Alexa (ATO), Glenn Dicker (Yep Roc Music Group), Andrew Kautz (Big Machine) and Louis Posen (Hopeless Records) are newly elected for 2016/2017.

Sony promotion for Michael Smith

Music and entertainment law specialist Michael Smith is now Executive Vice President at Sony Music UK. He joined the company in 2006 in its legal & business affairs division after stints at Zomba Records as Director of Legal & Business Affairs and BMG Music Publishing as Vice President of International. He was key in the company’s signings of One Direction, Calvin Harris, Mark Ronson, Paloma Faith, The Script and, most recently, Robbie Williams, and Sony’s relationships with partners as Simon Cowell.

Shannon Grixti continues to run Press-Start

Shannon Grixti, founder and owner of video gaming publisher Press-Start.com.au will remain as Managing Editor after its acquisition by Southern Cross Austereo as part of its digital strategy.

Anna Reid heading SydCon

The University of Sydney appointed Professor Anna Reid as the new Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A cellist and viola da gamba player and alumna of the Con, Reid joined the university in 2010 as Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at the Con and became Head of School two years later.

She has been acting Dean of the Con since July 2015, and also for a period between 2011 and 2012. Her interest in social equity and professional training has led to the creation of industry internships and collaborative programs with Australia’s regional conservatoria.

Rich Castillo back at Polydor as Senior A&R Manager

Rich Castillo has returned to Polydor UK as Senior A&R Manager from this week. He began in music in 2004 as a manager, launching the career of London platinum-spinning hip hop/R&B act N-Dubz. Developing a reputation for hearing a pop hit, he worked at other UK labels before becoming A&R Director at Universal Canada two years ago.

Roy and HG back at Triple M

Roy Slaven & H.G Nelson return to Triple M after five years. They begin on August 8 reporting daily from the Rio Olympic Games, with Triple M nationally and on Southern Cross Austereo’s LocalWorks network.

They said, “We are both humbled and proud that the great organisation has seen the error of their ways and opened their doors for us, albeit for a fortnight. Once every four years, Australians get very excited about the shot put, the single skulls and the shotgun. Triple M’s Mardi Gras of Medals will bring you every heave, every strain and every bang from the five rings of Rio.”

New CEO for Melbourne Recital Centre

The Melbourne Recital Centre’s new CEO, Euan Murdoch, begins in September, replacing Mary Vallentine. Hailing from New Zealand, the cellist and educator led Chamber Music New Zealand for nine years.

New MD for Wink Models

Sage Greenwood is promoted to MD of talent agency Wink Models from July 1 while founder Taryn Williams becomes CEO. Greenwood, who joined the company five years ago, was previously head of the Melbourne office and Director of National Activations.

Banjo secures Bruce Matchett

As Sydney agency Banjo begins another stage of growth – among its newest clients are Destination NSW and Clubs NSW – and expansion of its digital presence, Bruce Matchett has returned from Singapore to officially take over as partner and Executive Creative Director.

New GM for Windmill

Adelaide’s Windmill Theatre gets a new GM and Producer in Kaye Weeks from late June. She replaces Sandy Verschoor. Weeks was most recently Director of Marketing and Communications for the Adelaide Festival of Arts. Previous roles included Marketing and Public Relations Manager for State Theatre Company of South Australia and Marketing & Corporate Relations Manager at Windmill.

Anna Rose files last NDL country column

After 16 years, Anna Rose has filed her last country music column for Tamworth’s Northern Daily Leader. From next month she plans to get “in a motor home to travel and write my way around Australia for the foreseeable future”, with plans to set up an online blog.

NZ producer John Barnett working with CJZ

One of New Zealand’s most successful producers John Barnett has teamed up with Australian super-indie CJZ as a consultant producer to develop and produce drama out of Australia. He made some of New Zealand’s most successful productions, including Shortland Street (which was on-screen for 25 years), Outrageous Fortune, What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted, Go Girls, Sione’s Wedding and Sione’s 2 and Oscar-nominated movie Whale Rider. He built South Pacific Pictures into NZ’s biggest production house until he retired last year.

“John is without question one of the most experienced producers in the business in Australia and New Zealand,” says Nick Murray, MD at CJZ. “He’s a brilliant storyteller and to top that off, he’s a quality human being and we are excited and honoured to be working across a range of projects with him.”

Country Arts exec gets new gig

Jessica Machin, head of Country Arts Victoria, starts her new role as Executive Director of the West Australian Ballet in August.