Musical Chairs: June 22

Judge appoints two career execs to manage Prince estate

Bremer Trust has appointed two music executives who played key roles in Prince’s career, to now manage the entertainment assets of his estate. L. Londell McMillan was his longtime attorney, manager and friend and is Chairman and CEO of The NorthStar Enterprises Worldwide. Charles A. Koppelman, Chairman and CEO of CAK Entertainment Inc., signed Prince to EMI for his Emancipation triple album.

The pair will preserve the superstar’s musical legacy. A Minnesota judge wrote that he intends Bremer Trust “to take all prudent steps” to generate money from Prince’s intellectual property, to administer the estate and pay its hefty taxes.

The court, in the meantime, will be busy with working out who should be entitled to Prince’s wealth, as he died without a will. An extraordinary amount of “relatives” have come out of the woodwork wanting a share.

UMPG names Mike McCormack as UK MD

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) named Mike McCormack as the new Managing Director of its UK operations. He succeeds Paul Connolly, who stepped down as President of Europe and Managing Director U.K.

McCormack first joined UMPG’s UK business in 1999 as Deputy Managing Director. During that time he signed and worked with artists and songwriters including Adele, Alabama Shakes, Lily Allen, Dangermouse, The Darkness, The Killers, MGMT and Sigur Ros. In his new role, which is effective immediately, McCormack is based in London and reports to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG. For the last three years, he has served in an advisory role to Universal Music Publishing UK.

Prior to Universal Music Publishing, McCormack was at 19 Music Publishing, where he helped Simon Fuller set up its sports agency and worked across its roster of music artists and TV projects, including the creation of S Club 7. As Director of A&R at RCA Records, he worked with the original Take That and with Annie Lennox and Morrissey on their solo projects. As A&R head at Virgin Music Publishing he helped sign The Verve and The Prodigy, while as A&R head at the record division, he discovered Terence Trent D’Arby, Stereo MCs and all the original Take That.

ARN moves Rapley to Melbourne as Group Sales Manager

Australian Radio Network has relocated Lena Rapley from its Sydney office to Melbourne to take on the post of Group Sales Manager, effective July 25. She was at the Sydney office for six years. Matt Granger, National Agency Sales Director said, “Melbourne is a key priority market for ARN, and Lena’s move to Melbourne represents ARN’s commitment to deliver upon our customer first ambitions.”

Guy Sebastian returns to The X Factor, Adam Lambert joins lienup

Guy Sebastian has signed up to return as mentor/ judge to The X Factor this year. It will be his fifth time, having taken Reece Mastin and Samantha Jade to victory in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Sebastian is the only Australian male artist to achieve six number one singles. “It’s really an honour to be in this role I just love what this show is about, it’s about prepping an artist for the industry.”

Sebastian is the second judge/mentor announced for 2016, after Iggy Azalea. Channel Seven’s Director of Production Brad Lyons said: “Guy is such a seasoned artist with undisputed chart success; he also knows a star when he sees one. We can’t wait to see what he brings to this new season.”

Joining Sebastian and Azealea will beAmerican singer-songwriter, actor and Queen frontman Adam Lambert.

“I am very excited to join The X Factor in Australia as a judge and am looking forward to helping people shine their brightest,” he said.

World Tour of Country back in four states

Justin Thomson’s World Tour of Country is heard again in WA, SA, VIC and the NT through Spirit Radio Network and Flow FM. Thompson, now Queensland-based Program/Content Director for the KIX Country Network, formulated the two-hour show to highlight how contemporary country could have a wide appeal.

The Veronicas fill in at The Voice

Jess and Lisa Origliasso aka The Veronicas will step into the mentors chairs of fellow-twins The Maddens this Sunday (June 26) at Nine Network’s The Voice. Joel and Benji have to be in Europe playing a gig with their band Good Charlotte. They signed The Voice deal before the show’s filming schedule changed. You can expect The Two Ronnies to be performing their new single In My Blood. Last Sunday the second live episode of The Voice drew 1.035 million metro viewers, up 50,000 metros from the week before but behind. House Rules on 1.084 million metros.

PIAS unveils global business structure

European independent PIAS has unveiled its new expanded global team, using its most senior staff in different strengths to consolidate its global culture. It is lead by its Managing Director of Artist & Label Services, Andrew Pope, and will work with local PIAS offices around the world.

The global structure has four divisions – Artist & Label Services and Business Development (led by Juan Vandervoort, Director of Global Artist & Label Services); Production and Supply Chain (led by Marcel Maessen, Director of Group Supply Chain); Insights and Digital Services (managed by James Howdle, Director of Insights and Digital Services); and Business Operations (run by Florian Von Hoyer, Group Operations Director).

This year PIAS added staff to its New York office and set up new operations in Los Angeles.

Qld’s Huib Schippers joining Smithsonian Folkways

Huib Schippers, Director of the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, will relocate to the US as the new (and third) Director and Curator of the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. He replaces Daniel E. Sheehy who is retiring after 15 years.

CAA partners With Global Brands Group

A new partnership between Creative Artists Agency and Global Brands Group Holding Limited has created the world’s largest brand management company. It is called CAA-GBG Global Brand Management Group with 24 offices in 20 countries.

Perry Wolfman, Head of CAA’s Licensing division, will be the new entity’s CEO of CAA-GBG. Jared Margolis, President of Global Brands’ Brand Management Group, will be President.Clients include Coca-Cola, Jeep, Hershey’s, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria and the Bob Marley estate.

Lee leaves Townsville for NSW

After two years as part of The Cliffo & Bec Show on HOT FM Townsville with Guy ’Cliffo’ Clifton, Bec Lee will unplug on June 27 She is moving to NSW to be near her family, and has a post with the ABC.

Maddox sole owner of Perth’s Court Hotel

Bree Maddox is now the sole owner of Perth’s Court Hotel, following a $10 million settlement with ex-husband Malcolm Day. The West Australian reported the two bought the venue in 2005 for $4.15 million and spent $3 million on a revamp. Maddox ran the venue since. Their marriage broke up in 2012, and Day has no more involvement in the venue.

Parness at Pandora

Adam Parness next month joins Pandora as Head of Publisher Licensing and Relations. He was the principal Content Acquisition Manager at Amazon and VP of Music Licensing at Rhapsody.

Carly Portch heads to HOT

After co-hosting the breakfast show at Star FM Griffith in NSW, Carly Portch heads north to HOT FM for the Rockhampton-based Central Queensland Breakfast. She joins former Big Brother winner Ben Norris, and succeedsEJ Palmer who moved to Mackay to join Grant Broadcasters Star FM on Mornings and as MD.

More changes at 4BC

Macquarie Radio Network has dispensed with 4BC Brisbane’s two Program Managers Tanya Grimward and Faith Jarvis. Drive host Ben Davis remains the sole Brisbane radio identity on air.