Musical Chairs: March 8

Image: Deborah Clay, Bruce Gillmer

BRUCE GILLMER TO HEAD MTV MUSIC GLOBALLY

Long time American music TV executive Bruce Gillmer will head all of MTV’s music activities internationally – including those in Australia – in the newly created role of Head of Music and Music Talent for its Global Entertainment Group.

In his new position, Gillmer will oversee music programming, talent and events while continuing in his current role at Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) as EVP of Music and Talent Programming and Events and co-brand lead for MTV International.

He’ll work closely with Kerry Taylor, SVP of MTV International and Chief Marketing Officer of VIMN UK.

Gilmer will also executive produce both the MTV EMAs and the MTV Video Music Awards. Before joining MTV, he was at VH1 and heavily involved in the development of shows as Divas Live, Hip Hop Honors and Behind The Music.

NEW EXEC AT PEDESTRIAN

Joining youth-focussed publisher Pedestrian.TV as Director of Advertising and Partnerships is Natalie Dean-Weymark. She makes the move from The Collective, where she oversaw partnerships for the past 12 months.

HIT92.9 CONFIRMS WEEKEND BREAKFAST

Hit92.9 Perth’s new weekend breakfast team is Heidi Anderson (of the weekday Heidi, Will & Woody breakfast show) and former Hawthorn and West Coast Eagles player Xavier Ellis. The latter says that as he is no longer a player confined to AFL rules, he will be “brutally honest”.

DEBORAH CLAY TO HEAD ARN’S NATIONAL NEWS

As part of Australian Radio Network’s news review, Deborah Clay is promoted to National News Director overseeing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

As part of the review, the current role of News Director for Melbourne and Adelaide was made redundant and Emily Hoskins has left the company after 14 years.

NEW GM FOR GRANT’S RIVERLAND

Grant Broadcasters’ new GM for its local radio stations in South Australia’s Riverland region is Greg Bakker. He previously worked for the company in Port Lincoln and NSW.

Its Riverland stations include 5RM, Magic931 and KIX Country.

SONY AUSTRALIA PARTS WITH EMPHRAIM

Sony Australia/NZ has parted ways with its head of gaming, Michael Ephraim, after 25 years. He was instrumental in the huge success of Playstation in the two territories but it is believed that the Australian divisions are going through a round of cost-cutting.

All Sony Australia would say was, in a statement, “Over the last 18 months the PlayStation business has been steadily evolved. Connected with these general global changes, the Australian and New Zealand businesses will now have a different corporate reporting regime.”

VEVO APPOINTS WILL JACKSON

Video streaming platform Vevo has brought in Will Jackson from Pandora to fill its newly created role of SVP of Strategy and Operations. He will support Vevo’s leadership team in defining and executing the company’s long-term growth strategies.

MARK FRY FOR WARNER FINLAND

After moving Niko Nordström to head up its Australasian operations, Warner Music has promoted GM and Marketing Director of Warner Music Finland, Mark Fry, to Managing Director.

JASON MATTHEWS LEAVING RADIO

Jason Matthews, Content Director at Hit 104.7 and Mix 106.3 Canberra, winds up on March 21. He is leaving the sector Matthews will take up the position of Sydney-based branding director A/NZ at Granite Transformations.

FRESH A&R EARS FOR SONY/ATV

Former BMG A&R exec Alastair Kinross is now at Sony/ATV UK as Senior A&R Manager.

He joins the company as its UK and global signings – Ed Sheeran, Clean Bandit, James Arthur, Drake, The Chainsmokers and Mike Posner – have stayed at #1 on the UK singles chart for 50 consecutive weeks either as publisher or co-publisher.

HOLLER FOR THE MARSHALLS

NRL Broncos Brisbane recruit Benji Marshall and his radio presenter wife Zoe are hosting Nova’s new Sunday show in Brisbane. Zoe Marshall was previously host at KIIS FM’s 3PM Pick-Up. Meet The Marshalls is already on air, and broadcast every Sunday 7am to 9am.

ABC SLASHES 150—200 JOBS

The ABC is expected to slash between 150 to 200 jobs by June, says new Managing Director Michelle Guthrie as part of her strategy to modernise the broadcaster and realise its full potential. One in five of current managers will go. The 14 divisions will be cut to eight.

In the meantime, digital head David Anderson replaces Richard Finlayson as new Director of ABC-TV. Director of Audience and Marketing Leisa Bacon heads the expanded audiences team.

One time Nova COO Louise Higgins joins as Chief Financial Officer. Sam Liston moves from Director of ABC People to Chief Engagement Officer.

CHANGE AT 2DAY

After eight years as workday announcer for 2DAY FM Sydney, Ellie Angel-Mobbs moves to content assistant and producer.

GEOFF FIELD QUITS 2SM

2SM Sydney’s newsroom is losing Geoff Field as its casual reader after six months although he’s remaining in the radio industry – he moves to 2SER as their news directo and into a teaching position at the affiliated University of Technology Sydney. Eighteen months ago, he was dropped from SCA’s 2DAY FM after 19 years.

NEW OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR FOX

Chris ‘Buzz’ Bezzina is new announcer and Operations Manager at FOX Melbourne. He was previously based in Brisbane, hosting the afternoon slot at Hit105.

NEW HEAD OF VIDEO FOR MEDIUM RARE

Anthony Damianakis is the new Head of Video for content agency Medium Rare. The company has in the past 12 months expanded to premium storytelling and short instructional “hack” content, and plans further growth to incorporate social planning and YouTube channel management.