Musical Chairs: May 11

Image:Jason Derulo is joining the Hit Network

AIM’s Alison Wenham steps down to lead global indies

A dominant force for UK indies for almost two decades, Alison Wenham is now looking at confronting business, creative and market access challenges for global indies. She is stepping down as Chair/CEO of the Association of independent Music (AIM) to take on the CEO role of the global indie association, Independent Network (WIN), of which Australia is a member.

Wenham held the top role for 17 years at AIM, which represents 850 UK independent music companies. WIN until now has been administered by AIM. But it now becomes a stand-alone trade association with its own staff.

Wenham said: “As the music marketplace becomes ever more global it is time for the worldwide independent music community to focus its collective attention on the big issues affecting all of us.

“I am extraordinarily proud of our achievements at AIM, which I know will continue to effectively represent and help the UK’s independent music companies, but I am relishing the challenge of taking on this new position at WIN and representing our sector on a global level.

“The music industry continues to evolve at a pace and it is vital that our membership has a voice and a place at the top table when decisions affecting the livelihoods of independent music companies and the artists they represent are being decided.”

Jason Derulo joining Hit Network’s RNB Fridays

US superstar Jason Derulo(pictured) is joining SCA’s Hit Network’s RNB Fridays as guest celeb DJ. Every Friday beginning May 13, he’ll spin his fave RNB tracks from 9 am. Derulo has sold 50 million singles.

Gemma Fordham, Hit Network’s Head of Content says, “RNB Fridays has been incredibly successful for the Hit Network”, adding that Fridays shows a 12% in listeners compared to Mondays to Thursdays.

Tony Martin steps in at Nova

Tony Martin has stepped in for Sam Pang on Nova 100’s Chrissie, Sam & Browny breakfast show while Pang is in Stockholm for two weeks to co-host Australia’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Competition. Pang returns on May 18. Martin, who quips that ‘Eurovision’ is Nova’s code for ‘rehab’, began with the team broadcasting from the Logies.

Perth’s Stuart Endersby leaves radio

Stuart Endersby has left 6IX Perth and the world of radio. He has joined Harcourts Realty Plus looking after the Fremantle area. “Sad to be leaving the wonderful team at 6iX, but looking forward to this new challenge in my life.” Endersby joined 6IX as CD in late 2014, having worked in that role, and other senior roles, for 25 years in WA and SA.

Second term for SBS board member

The Federal Government has reappointed Daryl Karp as non-executive Director of the SBS board for a second five-year term. Her first appointment was in June 2011. Karp combines extensive experience in broadcast and digital media with a focus on content, strategy and governance. Currently Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy, she was previously CEO and Managing Director of Film Australia, and at the ABC where she was Head of Factual Programs (Television) and Head of Science and Documentaries/Science and Features.

Mediaworks NZ CEO quits

Mark Weldon has resigned as CEO of New Zealand’s radio and TV company Mediaworks. He joined in August 2014 to initiate programming changes to bring the business back from receivership “into a position where it could once again be a strong competitor in the market, with a sound and sustainable future. It was a big brief, laden with inherent challenges, but I took it in good faith and have dedicated myself fully to the goal since.”

This year alone, the company’s first quarter was in profit, it announced a JV with NBC Universal to set up the Bravo channel mid-year and its radio brands have a 43.1% market share to ZME’s 43.6%. But Weldon says, “However, I have come to a decision that the personal cost is now too high to continue in this role.” MediaWorks’ CFO, David Chalmers will act as CEO while an international search begins.

Universal promotes Selina Webb to EVP

Universal Music UK has promoted Selina Webb to Executive Vice-President. It means that in addition to her responsibilities as part of the senior management team, she will also be actively involved in all strategic issues together with an expanded brief leading wider industry relations.

New interim CEO at Adelaide Festival

Following the resignation of Karen Bryant, former Adelaide Fringe CEO Sandy Verschoor has been appointed as interim CEO of the Adelaide Festival. She will oversee the 2016 event to be delivered by two new co Artistic Directors, Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy.

Verschoor is an Adelaide City councillor and GM of its City Culture and Community Services and also GM of Windmill Theatre. Verschoor is an experienced arts professional. She previously worked in marketing and development at the Festival.

New brekky team for 96five Brisbane

96five Brisbane this week unveiled its new breakfast team: Ken Green (ex- Sea, Nova, Light FM) joins Nicky Becker and Steve Lanzon. The move comes after Robbie Parkin stepped down from his on-air role of 13 years to devote his time to the sales role at the station.

Belinda Cotton heading back in Perth

After a 10-year stint in Queensland, Belinda Cotton is returning to Perth. She held on-air and Music Director roles in Cairns, Mackay, Townsville and, most recently, the Sunshine Coast with Zinc Network. Cotton early WA radio career included stints at 6PR, 720, Hot FM Bunbury and Radio West Kalgoorlie. She’s won a number of CRA awards and in October 2005 was The Music Network’s Music Director of the Year.

New hiring for StubHub

StubHub, the online platform which provides services for buyers and sellers of tickets for sports, concerts, theater and other live entertainment events, has appointed Perkins Miller as its new GM of North America. He will grow its business “exploring new ways of partnering within the events and experiences industry.” Miller was Chief Digital Officer and Head of Media Operations for NFL Media with two decades of working in sports and entertainment media.

Mitch Byatt exits 2SER

Two years after taking over the breakfast show at Sydney community station 2SER from Tim Higgins, Mitch Byatt is leaving the radio world for an unspecified job.

New Directors for Country Arts WA

At its AGM, Country Arts WA, peak body for regional arts in WA, introduced four new Directors. Its executive committee consists of Chair is Ross Beckett from the Wheatbelt region; Vice Chair is Shane Colquhoun of Perth; Treasurer is Peter Rupp of Perth; and Secretary is Andrea Gray from the Wheatbelt region.

New Directors were Ainsley Foulds from Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council; Tim Neeson from Artgold in Kalgoorlie-Boulder; Deborah Maley from the Coorow Community Resource Centre and Kim Jameson from Mandurah. Departing Directors were Kate Fielding (who was Vice Chair and served for six years and was made a life member at the AGM), Fay O’Brien (six years) and Donna Malec (three years), all from the Goldfields-Esperance region.