Musical Chairs: November 25

SCA stirs up Content changes

Southern Cross Austereo’s Chief Creative Officer, Guy Dobson, announced that Dave Cameron will fill the new role of Head of National Content and Development and Gemma Fordham the new Head of Hit Network, Content.

After five years heading the Hit Network and 11 years leading Fox Melbourne, Cameron will oversee and program all national shows and talent across the Hit and Triple M Networks, and all new partnerships, ventures, formats and shows across their digital radio platforms.

Fordham was Chief Content Officer at NZME before moving back to Sydney in September where she worked as Breakfast Content Manager for 2DAY FM. She also worked as a PA for Nicole Kidman for seven years.

Additional show for Garry Shannon on 6IX

Garry Shannon who will host Forever Classics 6IX’s new breakfast show in early 2016, will also host a second show week nights. The Classic 6 at 6 with Gary Shannon begins Monday January 4, replacing the syndicated Jonesy and Amanda Afternoon Delight. 6IX Program Director Stuart Endersby called it “a move back to local programming with Perth’s favourite radio son.”

Tidal loses yet another top exec

TIDAL, the Jay-Z fronted music streaming service, yesterday lost another major executive. Its CIO Vania Schlogel has resigned, the latest in its executive revolving door to leave. Schlogel has been the face of TIDAL since its March relaunch. In June CEO Peter Tonstad resigned while previous CEO Andy Chen was fired. How TIDAL will survive with this executive instability at a time when streaming competition heats up remains to be seen.

Natalie De Vito stepping down from Junction Arts

Junction Arts Festival’s Executive Director for the past five years, Natalie De Vito, is stepping down to allow new blood to steer the ship in the next five years. During her reign, the Tasmanian festival built up a reputation for risk-taking projects and greater community interaction.

Junction also won 10 national and state awards for its contribution to the arts, community and tourism. A thrill for De Vito was the 2014 Tasmanian Tourism award for Best Festival & Event. “Her vision, creativity and energy at the helm of Junction will be missed,” said board President Steve Henty.

Trevor Long departs SBS

SBS’s Trevor Long stepped down as Technology Strategy and Innovation Manager. He spearheaded SBS’s digital moves, with web, streaming, on demand and podcasting technologies. In 2007, Long began hosting his own one hour talk-back radio program about technology on Sydney radio. His two weekly podcasts Your Tech Life and Two Blokes Talking Tech had 1.3 million annual downloads.

Nigel Johnson quits FM 104.7

Two months after FM 104.7 Canberra dumped breakfast partner Scott Masters, Nigel “Nige” Johnson resigned on-air on Monday. He called Masters’ axing a “game changer”. The station then teamed Johnson with former newsreader Kate “Knuckles” Rice. Masters is reportedly taking legal action against FM 104.7.

Clayton Ries at Live Music Office

Sydney live music sector identity Clayton Ries’s position at Live Music Office as Live Music Programming Coordinator has him overseeing a 12-month pilot project by LMO, Music NSW and APRA AMCOS to develop and deliver a program of best practice venue management training and advice. He works one-on-one with bars, restaurants, and other small businesses in inner city Sydney and the inner west to help them explore and establish financially sustainable live music and performance programming within their venue.

Linda Mottram leaves ABC mornings

After four years as one of the few female presenters on a talkback station, Linda Mottram announced she will not return to ABC702 Mornings in 2016.

Another change at GOLD104.3

Aside from the departure of Brigitte Duclos from GOLD104.3 Melbourne’s breakfast show (as reported on Monday’s On The Dial), Joe Bovalino will finish up as breakfast anchor at the end of the final survey. He might remain as a fill-in announcer at the station.

RTR promotes Matt Tomich

Perth community radio RTRFM 92.1 upped Marketing Coordinator Matt Tomich to the role of Marketing & Events Coordinator after Alexandra Apple Bagios left to join the Perth International Arts Festival as Media Relations Coordinator

Foxtel chief marketer departs

Pay TV operator Foxtel’s Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Ed Smith is leaving after four years in the role. CEO Richard Freudenstein said Smith and his partner had planned to move to London for some years and decided 2016 was the year. Smith will stay until a replacement is found.

Ferguson, Walford, join ABC board

Queensland business director Kirstin Ferguson and SA company CEO Donny Walford join the ABC board. Their appointments increase the amount of women on the board to four (and five men) and gives a greater geographical diversity. Four board members come from NSW with one each from the other states.

New names at Music Glue

London based direct-to-fan ecommerce firm Music Glue – which has an office in Sydney – made three appointments. Kat Morris, previously with The Great Escape festival, will expand the Music Glue brand across the world as Global Marketing Director. Former Universal, Virgin and Island A&R Jon Chapman joins as UK head of A&R. Brian Pacris from The Syndicate is new US Head of Sales and Marketing.

Nonesuch’s Bither upped to President

Warner Music Group imprint Nonesuch gets a new President, David Bither, from January. Incumbent Bob Hurwitz announced in September he was moving away from day to day operations.

As VP of the label, Bither signed The Black Keys, Emmylou Harris, Wilco, Laurie Anderson, Rhiannon Giddens and The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Youssou N’Dour and Robert Plant. He was also instrumental in bringing the World Circuit label to Nonesuch in North America, just before the Buena Vista Social Club exploded in 1997 with their first album.

Michael Smyth leaving 891 ABC

Drive host Michael Smyth departs 891 ABC Adelaide end of the year. ABC Local Manager Adelaide, Graeme Bennett, said, “Michael has made a great contribution to 891 ABC Adelaide and his audiences over the past four years, leading the charge into social media platforms. He has worked incredibly hard to inform on the day’s events and entertain listeners as they head home from their working day.”

Father of I Heart Radio moves to festivals

Over the years, Evan Harrison has worked in the digital field, first at getting BMG Records into the new age, then at Clear Channel where one of his ideas was the I Heart Radio platform. Harrison is now CEO of North America’s Huka Entertainment, which produces the Pemberton festival in British Columbia and the Tortuga festival in Florida.

Jonny Whitehead leads Regital’s arrival in Australia

Jonny Whitehead is Managing Director of the new Australian operations of British digital media provider Regital. Based in Sydney, in the team is Anthony Hess as Account Strategist who worked with Whitehead at OMD agency.

Pantou lands job at Star

96.1 Star FM Mt Gambier breakfast slot host Ryan Warren’s new on-air partner is Jess Pantou, who recently graduated from Radio Training Institute graduate.

Ahearn joins Sattler Files

Colin Ahearn joined the team which puts together former 6PR presenter Howard Sattler’s podcast The Sattler Files. Also in the production team are Sattler’s journalist wife Despene who is Producer and presenter, as well as Murray Korff (ex PMFM GM) and Tom Tapping. Sattler who is battling ill-health, has begun a new round of treatment after his cancer moved up to the larynx.

New additions to Twitter Australia

New additions to Twitter Australia are Jonathan Harley (ex-Nine’s 60 Minutes) as Director of Media Partnerships, one time Gizmodo Australia Australia Editor Luke Hopewell to head its Moments lead (lists of stories breaking on Twitter divided into categories including entertainment) and Jenny Goodridge from Samsung’s product and consumer marketing division as Head of Business Development and Platform Partnerships for Australia and New Zealand.