Musical Chairs: March 9
Ryan Tothill back at SCA
Ryan Tothill is back in the Southern Cross Austereo, appointed as Content Director for hit107 Adelaide. He was most recently at Australian Radio Network’s KIIS 106.5 Sydney. Before that he was Group CD for SCA’s SEA and 2GO FM on the NSW Central Coast and in roles at various metro markets. Tothill’s ACD in Adelaide is Alexis Kuchel with John Bleby remaining as Breakfast EP.
Spotify beefs up full service team
Spotify Australia and New Zealand has made two new hires across creative and account management to support rapid local growth.
Hayley Treasure joins Spotify as an Account Manager. Treasure comes from Nine Entertainment Co where she worked across Starcom, Zenithoptimedia, Match, Carat, Mitchells, Vizeum and Mediavest agencies.
Matt Bryant fills the newly created position of Client Creative Lead. In the newly created role he’ll work with brands to execute bespoke integrated creative concepts for clients. Bryant joins Spotify from New York digital agency F Sharp where he spent the past three years working alongside Spotify in AU/NZ and throughout Asia.
The appointments follow Andrea Ingham joining the business as new sales director for ANZ last year.
Universal Music SA loses MD for media career
Universal Music South Africa’s Managing Director Randall Abrahams will leave on April 30. Aside from his label duties, Abrahams also was a TV personality, as a judge on Idols South Africa and SA’s Got Talent, and he says he wants to focus more on TV production and media. After joining UMG in 2012, Abrahams integrated the local EMI operations with its parent company and also spearheaded the launch of Kleek, the company’s mobile streaming JV with Samsung.
YouTube adds to music team
YouTube appointed Lisa Bellamore as its Head of Music Communications. She was a senior publicist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Aussie to run UK venue
Australian-born Andrew Bolt takes over on March 14 as CEO of Manchester Bridgewater Hall, run by SMG Europe. Bolt was GM of Perth Concert Hall for 21 years. He was involved in the management of the ABC and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for 13 years, and a board member at Jazz Australia.
Columbia elevates A&R successes
Columbia Records promoted two of its A&R success stories to Senior Vice Presidents of A&R. Justin Eshak was behind the signing and development of Hozier and Leon Bridges, while Imran Majid’s track record included Rachel Platten and Dej Loaf.
ABC Radio’s John Logan retires
ABC Radio announced that NSW news radio reader John Logan had retired after over 40 years with the broadcaster. He had been on leave for the past year. Logan joined the ABC in 1973 in Rockhampton in Queensland.
It wasn’t just his distinctive voice that hooked listeners. In 2013 when he celebrated his 40th anniversary on air, he explained, “James Dibble gave me advice. When you’re reading news, you don’t just read it ’willy-nilly.’ You’re reading it to one person, you’re reading their bulletin.’ And I’ve always remembered that, when I sit in there, even with the 7.45, the big bulletin – I think of one person.”
Fiction label manager leaves
Lisa Ward, Label Manager at Universal Music Group imprint Fiction moved to Red Light Management as Executive Vice President of Artist Strategy. Red Light’s artists include Giorgio Moroder, Deep Dish, Tiesto, LA Priest, Odesza and Ferry Corsten.
SCA restructures regionals
As part of its regional restructure, Southern Cross Austereo has expanded its SEA FM/2GO Content Director Peter Yiamarelos’ duties as Regional NSW CD, remaining on the Central Coast.
Luke Toohey will be based in Bendigo as Regional Content Director for Victoria and South Australia, as well as CD of Star FM/3BO FM. Blair Woodcock will handle Queensland and Katrina Tibbits for Western Australia. Mickey Maher continues as the Head of Content Regional for SCA.
New CEO for Universal’s Bravado
Universal Music Group’s merchandising company Bravado has had a change at the top. Mat Vlasic is the new CEO, replacing Tom Bennett who is stepping down after joining in 2004. He is launching “a new venture of his own,” Universal Music said. He will continue to consultant for the company and says he wanted to return to “my entrepreneurial roots and work on projects where I can be fully immersed in both the creative and commercial aspect of the business and be able to work in a much more hands on way with a great group of artists.”
New York based Vlasic was at Sony Music, founding head of its Consumer Products and Licensing Division. He signed deals with A$AP Rocky, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Johnny Cash, Lamb of God and The Strokes, among others.
SCA veteran moves to Shepparton
SCA veteran Billy McFerran, who has worked for the company in Hobart, Perth and most recently Newcastle, is now its Content Director in Shepparton in regional Victoria.
Mardi Cole exits Magic 2CH
Mardi Cole’s eight year stay at Magic 2CH Sydney has ended, after Macquarie Media made her Content Director of two years redundant. Recently the company announced that Melbourne and Brisbane content and talent would be networked.
Beth Larsen at Hit 104.7
Hit 104.7 in Canberra has a new afternoon announcer from April 1. Beth Larsen was previously at Hot FM Townsville.
Warner Music expanding global acquisitions
As the new music industry model becomes more global in its artist and repertoire sourcing, Warner Music Group has created a new New York based position of EVP, Global Repertoire Acquisition. Heath Kudler was at Epic Records/ Sony, most recently its EVP of Business & Legal Affairs, and before that at Island Def Jam Music Group’s legal division.
Pacific changes at youth titles
Daniel Findlay, Editor of K-Zone for the past five years during which he transformed it into a digital publication, will now be Editor In Chief of Pacific Magazines’ youth titles Girlfriend, Total Girl and K-Zone, effective March 29.
In a reshuffle, Tamara Davis (ex-Gurl) becomes Editor of Girlfriend and Total Girl from March 14, while K-Zone Deputy Editor Louise Meers becomes its Editor.
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