Musical Chairs: May 18

NEW BOOKERS, MARKETING TEAM, FOR MAX WATTS

The Max Watts live music clubs has announced new booking and marketing teams.

Nathan Farrell of Nathan Farrell Entertainment (NFE) is new Sydney booker, with plans to host local and international acts in the 1500-capacity room which he says “currently feels under-utilised in the Sydney live venue market”. He also programs the Basement, Hudson Ballroom, Brisbane’s Flaming Galah and Sydney’s Newtown Festival, which draws 90,000.

Social State Director and co-founder Jesse Barbera takes that role for the Brisbane room.

Tom Johanssen continues to book the Melbourne venue as he has done for the past year, as its upgraded production, LED wall and mailing list of 300,000 “has taken the live music experience to greater heights.”

Barbera points out that the amalgamated marketing approach is already delivering results. “Social State is rolling out fully integrated marketing, digital, social media and publicity support services across every one of its 18 venues.

“Our venue booker and marketer Cael Johnston has been heading up this process and we’re already seeing a huge return for promoters.”

KATE VALE TO EXIT SPOTIFY

Spotify ANZ MD Kate Vale is leaving the streaming company to pursue new opportunities, AdNews reported today. Vale has been with the local arm of the company since before its launch.

“I am so proud of everything we have achieved in our five years in the market, which has not only been best-in-class for the Spotify business but has also driven real results and growth for the local music industry,” Vale said, adding that it was the “hardest decision” she’s ever had to make.

A search will begin for her replacement today.

GINA HOGAN TAKES OVER AS GM FOR SCA PERTH

Southern Cross Austereo has moved Gina Hogan from her role overseeing its Cairns and Tablelands operations to new GM of its Perth operations, effective July 17. She will run Mix 94.5 and Hit 92.9, replacing Linda Wayman.

Hogan worked in management, corporate sales and content direction positions for radio and television including Prime Radio and Seven Network.

Hogan joined SCA in 2009, based in Cairns. She reports to SCA’s Chief Operating Officer John Kelly.

KAREN-LEE GOODY CONSULTING AT GOLDEN ROBOT ENT.

Golden Robot Entertainment appointed Karen-Lee Goody (aka “KL” in the industry) from Entertainment Consulting Pty Ltd as new Strategic & Business Consultant for thegroup. It includes Social Family Records and Golden Robot Records.

Goody’s focus will be on its strategy in regards to artist marketing and A&R with Steve Balbi (Head of A&R), international and touring opportunities, new signings and alliances, working with the existing team.

Most recent signings were Gretta Ziller, The Cherry Dolls, High Tropics “and a few more to be announced soon”, Goody says.

Her 30-year career in the biz includes artist management, touring, record and publishing company’s (BMG, Trafalgar, Warner Music/Warner Chappell) in addition to corporate marketing for the likes of Harper Collins (Video & International Licensing Acquisitions Manager), Virgin Interactive (Aust/NZ Director of Marketing) and Vivendi Universal Games (Aust/NZ/Sth Africa – Marketing Manager).

Goody is currently managing Amber Lawrence, Diana Rouvas and Jason Owen.

KATY PERRY JOINS ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ REBOOT…

Katy Perryhas been named the first judge in the reboot of music reality series American Idol. It is produced by FremantleMedia and Core Media Group for America’s ABC network.

It is not known if Ryan Seacrest has agreed to return as host.

…WHILE KELLY CLARKSON CONFIRMS THE VOICE

Kelly Clarkson, who was also rumoured to be part of the new American Idol, has instead been announced as a coach on season 14 of The Voice.

Meantime, confirmed for Season 13 are Idol alum Jennifer Hudson, second-timer Miley Cyrus and original coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

WILL EASTON BACK AT FACEBOOK AUS

After a lengthy search for a new Managing Director, Facebook Australia has brought back Will Easton, its former chief. Easton was head of the social media’s emerging markets in Asia-Pacific.

Former Australian Managing Director Stephen Scheeler left earlier this year after media reports in late 2016 that ad metrics were over-estimated by 500% led to a backlash from advertisers. Facebook is still investigating the reports.

In the meantime, former Facebook executive Ben Lightfoot has joined media agency Ogilvy Brisbane as Managing Director to expand its digital strategies.

NEW BREAKFAST TEAM IN TOWNSVILLE

Star 106.3 Townsville has put together a new breakfast team:Heidi Latcham, who hails from Hot 91.1 Sunshine Coast and Brady Ellis was previously at Magic 89.9 Port Lincoln.

NEW A&R HEAD FOR IMAGEM USA

Former VP of Global A&R at Downtown Music Publishing, Jeremy Yohai, is new Head Of A&R at Imagem USA. Based in New York, his beat covers artists, songwriters and catalogues. He will work closely with the one-time Sydney-based Kim Frankiewicz, VP of Creative for Imagem Music International and MD of Imagem Music UK.

GLOBAL ROLE AT RHINO

Rhino Entertainment hired Mike Engstrom as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Global Catalogue Management. He will coordinate the release schedule of the label under physical and digital platforms.

OPERA HOUSE’S DRUMMOND HEADS TO AFR

The Sydney Opera House’s Online Editor of the past eleven months (and time Editor of GQ Australia), Matthew Drummond, has left to become Editor of AFR Magazine, where he previously worked.

TWITTER OZ LOSES COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Twitter Australia has lost its Communications Manager of two years, Maria Catanzariti, to the regional operations of Airbnb. She will not be replaced. Head of PR and communications Nathan Burman will continue the role in-house with some agency outsourcing.

NEW TREASURER FOR MELBOURNE FESTIVAL BOARD

Tammy Medard, Head of Diversified Industrials and Global Subsidiaries Australia at ANZ, joins the Melbourne Festival board as Treasurer, bringing along her skills at financial strategy “and a crucial eye for detail which will enhance our governance and regulatory role”, said board Chair Maureen Wheeler.

BMG’S MARK ROBINSON MOVES TO 300

Mark Robinson, SVP/General Counsel at BMG, has moved to 300 Entertainment as Head of Business and Legal Affairs. The New York-based 300 Entertainment is a record label set up by industry veterans Lyor Cohen, Roger Gold, Kevin Liles and Todd Moscowitz and includes Australian artists Meg Mac and Conrad Sewell.

Its other acts include Migos, Fetty Wap, Young Thug, Coheed and Cambria and Demo Taped.

Robinson worked at Sony and Warner, and was best known at BMG for winning a landmark digital copyright case against internet service provider Cox Communications in 2015.

NEW DIGITAL CHIEF FOR ABC

Helen Clifton takes over the new role of Chief Digital and Information Officer at the ABC in September. She’s worked in media for 30 years in the UK, the Middle East and New Zealand.

Her most recent role has been for ten years as Chief Product and Information Officer at TVNZ in Auckland responsible for major business transformation and delivering its largest technology projects.