Musical Chairs: November 17

BMG EXPANDS RECORDED MUSIC PRESENCE, HIRES TOM BIERY

With 25% of its US revenue coming from recorded music, BMG Rights Management hasramped up that aspect of the operation.

It’s poached Tom “Grover” Biery from Concord Music Group, where he’s headed its streaming division for all of 12 months, to take over as EVP of Recorded Music.

Based in Los Angeles, he’ll oversee the growth of the company’s S-Curve Records, Rise Records and recently acquired BBR Music Group..

BMG US’ President of Repertoire & Marketing Zach Katz, to whom he’ll report, says, “Grover is a heavy hitter with a wealth of experience navigating the new music business in both streaming and value-added physical format.

“We look to him to help guide our Los Angeles and New York teams to new heights as we pursue our strategy of giving proven talent the attention it deserves while also seeking breakout successes.”

SBS CONFIRMS WARHURST, CREASEY FOR EUROVISION

SBS has confirmed that Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey return as hosts for its 2018 Eurovision coverage from Lisbon, Portugal.

Eurovision brings in strong viewing figures for the broadcaster, along with other entertainment-themed coverage including the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Grasand the popular Who Do You Think You Are?– both of which have also seen broadcast rights renewed for next year. The new season of WDYTYA will look at the past of Natalie Imbruglia as well as Charlie Teo, John Jarratt and Ernie Dingo.

The indigenous NITV channel has Djalu’s Legacy, which pairs a Yolngu warrior Djalu Gurruwiwi with global pop star Gotye; Black Divaz follows the inaugural Miss First Nation Indigenous drag queen pageant in time for Mardi Gras.

SBS took great delight in pointing out that while other Australian media organisations have discovered “diversity”, it’s been doing that for 40 years and that its 2018 schedule – the announcement also covered sports, lifestyle and cooking among others – “explores diversity in culture, gender, sexuality, age, and lifestyle, with the objective of contributing to a healthier and more united Australian society.”

NEW PRODUCER FOR BRADNAM SHOW

Danielle ‘Dani’ Westport is new producer of The Luke Bradnam Show with Libby Trickett & Dobbo on Triple M Brisbane and Gold FM Gold Coast.

SARAH NORRIS AT BROADSHEET

Sarah Norris is hired as Sydney Editor for online city guide Broadsheet.

She has 16 years experience as a journalist, and has worked across Sydney Good Food Guide, Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide, Time Out Sydney and was most recently Features Editor of the Virgin in-flight magazine Voyeur.

SPOTIFY SNARES TOP DEEZER EXECUTIVE

Deezer’s Berlin-based CEO of EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa)Michael Krause, has moved over to rival Spotify to become its Managing Director of EMEA.

At Deezer, Krause overlooked 100 markets, and will be looking to expand content and strike local partnerships in his new role.

NED & JOSH HEAD TO CANBERRA

HIT FM WA breakfast team Ned & Josh are heading east to take over as that slot at HIT104.7 Canberra from Monday December 4.

HIT104.7’s Content Director Rod Cuddihy said, “We are so pumped to secure the most consistently high performing team in regional Australia. Ned & Josh’s sharp wits & down to earth personalities have engaged with West Australians in record numbers across all their markets.”

Last month the duo took the ACRA for Best Network Program – Provincial.

SONNY TAKHAR, LIVE NATION, CREATE KYN

Sonny Takhar,former President of Simon Cowell’s Syco Music, has teamed up with Live Nation to launch LA-based entertainment and rights management company Kyn Entertainment, MBW revealed.

The company will focus on the discovery and development of new artists and writers, and the deal allows Takhar to pitch his acts to whichever label or publisher he chooses.

MBW noted that during Takhar’s reign at Syco, he was looking after One Direction, il Divo, Leona Lewis, Labrinth, Susan Boyle, Little Mix and Fifth Harmony.

Collectively they sold over 400 millions records – with 244 #1 albums and 169 #1 singles globally.

JAMES PERRY DEPARTS FANDOM

US-based entertainment and pop culture fan site Fandom has lost its first Australian and New Zealand Managing Director James Perry after less than a year.

The plan was to launch an ANZ site in March 2018. That continues, with former Pandora account director Ryan Blick hired as Director of Sales.

LIVE NATION EXPANDS LATIN MARKET PRESENCE

With Latin music the current buzz, Live Nation has set up Live Nation Latin to focus on its touring, festivals and artist development in those markets.

The new division will be run by Hans Schafer, formerly with AEG.

Live Nation’s Latin superstars include Shakira, Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull.

SEPH McKENNA QUITS ROADSHOW FOR SCREENWEST

Effective early December, Seph McKenna is the new CEO of Screenwest following the departure of Ian Booth in August.

McKennaHead of Australian production at Roadshow Films, and executive produced on projects as Goddess, Felony, and Oddball.

NEW CD AT ACAST

Podcast company Acast Australia, which partnered with Nova Entertainment in early 2017, has hired Guy Scott-Wilson to the role of Content Director.

Scott-Wilson, formerly Partnership Director at Allure Media, is briefed to introduce the sort of content that will grow its listener base.

RED HOT AD MOVING ON

Ben Fox, Artistic Director at the Northern Territory’s Red Hot Arts, has tendered his resignation after joining last April from Regional Arts Australia Summit in Kalgoorlie where he was also AD.

Red Hot Arts fosters arts in Central Australia; with its most high profile event. Desert Festival in its 16th year.

GEOFF WALDEN DEPARTS COUNTRY MUSIC ACADEMY

Dr Geoff Walden is leaving the Australian Institute of Country Music in Gympie, Queensland, as he plans to move out of the area. He held the role of Education Director.

While earlier teaching at high school and becoming frustrated with lack of funding for students wanting to play music, he set up the “Country Music School of Excellence” at Gympie State High School.

QUEER FILM FESTIVAL GETS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) has appointed Maxwell Gratton asExecutive Director.

Gratton comes primarily from a sports business background, including CEO stints at Football Federation Victoria and Basketball ACT.

MQFF Co-Convenor Scott Herron said: ‘He is someone who brings with him a strong business nous and in equal measure a passion to make a significant contribution to the LGBTIQ community.”