Musical Chairs: November 9

TWO CHANGES AT UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA

Universal Music Australia has made two executive change, both effective immediately. Liam Dennis is new Head of Marketing, Universal Strategic Marketing,

Nicole Richards takes over as Head of Australian Artists, while continuing to co-manage the Marketing & Media teams and continue to oversee all direction and strategy for the UMA Australian roster.

ABC’S ALEX SLOAN RETIRES

ABC 666 Canberra’s afternoon presenter Alex Sloan has announced she is retiring. She has been with the broadcaster for 27 years.

SEAL BACK AT THE VOICE

Seal returns as a judge for The Voice Australia in 2017, Nine Network announced. Also back in the judge’s revolving chair is Delta Goodrem with Sonia Kruger as host. Goodren’s tussling partner Jessie J is not returning, and the Madden Bros are tipped to be replaced by The Veronicas.

There is no update on whether Ronan Keating is returning.

GUVERA’S QUARTARAO NOW VC AT LIVEXLIVE

One of America’s highest profile executives Phil Quartararo, who five years ago was appointed Global Head of Music for Australia’s Guvera, is now Vice Chairman of Loton, Corp.’s LiveXLive subsidiary. He joined Loton in July, as part of its Advisory Board. LiveXLive produces and distributes HD digital broadcast experiences of the world’s leading performers to any connected device.

Known as a fierce protector of artist rights, Quartararo’s distinguished career included heading Island USA where he helped break U2, then serving as CEO of Virgin Records America where he launched the careers of Smashing Pumpkins, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Abdul and the Spice Girls,

As President of Warner Brothers Records he personally signed Linkin Park and Josh Groban, and as President of EMI music marketing he guided the careers of Coldplay, Norah Jones and Blake Shelton, among others.

Earlier this year, Quartararo was appointed Chairman of the Board at Guvera and, according to his LinkedIn profile, is a member of its Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

SMERNICKI QUITS UNIVERSAL MUSIC

Paul Smernicki, Universal Music UK’s Director of Digital, left after 17 years. He will announce his next venture, also in music, with some projects involving Universal Music.

RANDY PHILLIPS NEW CEO AT SFX

Former AEG Live chief executive Randy Phillips is the new CEO and President of the re-organized SFX Entertainment. Others include Charles Ciongoli as EVP and Chief Financial Officer; Alan Walter as SVP and Jason Barr as SVP of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

EPIC UK LOSES MD

Dougie Bruce, MD of Epic UK since 2013, has left Sony Music Entertainment. He will not be replaced. In the interim, Colin Barlow’s highly successful RCA label will be assisting with Epic artists and releases.

SUSPENDED HOBART PRESENTER QUITS

7HO FM Hobart breakfast co-presenter Anna Dare who was suspended for insensitive comments about the Dreamworld tragedy, has apparently resigned. Mick Newell is continuing on-air with show producer Steve Segale filling in. Grant Broadcasters is looking at installing delay buttons in its studio, as a result.

KIP WILLIAMS HEADS STC

Helpmann winning director Kim Williams is appointed permanent Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company (STC). Williams was initially tipped to take the role last year when his mentor Andrew Upton left this time last year. The job went to the UK’s Jonathan Church but he left in a huff in August over disagreements with his role. Williams took over in a caretaker role.

FITZGERALD AT SEA FM

101.3 Sea FM announced Gaby Fitzgerald as Music Director and afternoon announcer. Fitzgerald previously worked in Hobart doing mornings on Hit 100.9.

NEW PRODUCER AT 2DAY FM

The new executive producer of 2DAY FM’s nationally syndicated Ash London Live is Luke James, previously at KIIS 106.5.

LONDON’S NIGHT CZAR

Comedian and broadcaster Amy Lamé is London’s first ever Night Czar. She will be protecting and promoting the capital city’s world famous cultural scene. The scene is unhealthy, with 35% of its venues closed since 2007 due to spiralling rents and noise complaints.

A number of European cities have Night Mayors – Paris, Amsterdam, the Dutch city of Groningen, Zurich in Switzerland and Toulouse and Nantes in France. A number of Australian cities are also looking at the concept.

CHANGES AT MUMBRELLA

Marketing title Mumbrella, whose coverage includes music, has announced editorial changes. Vivienne Kelly joins next month as Editor from Momentum Media. Miranda Ward, who joined in 2013 and writes primarily about PR and publishing is now Deputy Editor. Former Editor Alex Hayes was promoted to head up the new Mumbrella Labs division, creating bespoke events and native content for brands.

BARNES AT UK MUSIC

Trade organisation and lobby group UK Music has appointed entertainment journalist Anthony Barnes as Director of Communications. He wrote on arts and media at the Independent On Sunday, Q, Classic FM and Record Collector.

NEW BOARD FOR SCREEN PRODUCERS AUSTRALIA COUNCIL

WildBear Entertainment Pictures’ Michael Tear and Feisty Dame Productions’ Tania Chambers lead the new 2016-2017 Screen Producers Australia Council, as President and Vice President respectively.

The rest of the board is made up of Mark Bamford (Simpsons Lawyers), Wayne Borg (Fox Studios Australia), Ewan Burnett (Burberry Productions), Kate Croser (Hedone Productions), Marcus Gillezeau (Firelight Productions), Chris Hilton (Essential Media and Entertainment), Janelle Landers (WBMC), David Redman (Redman Entertainments), Tracey Robertson (Hoodlum), Barbara Stephen (Flying Bark Productions) and Joanna Werner (Werner Film Productions).

BOB BAKISH HEADS NEW VIACOM GLOBAL GROUP

Bob Bakish, who helped build Viacom’s international brand presence over the past ten years (including Australia where he visited a number of times) is named President and CEO of the newly formed Viacom Global Entertainment Group. It is the merger of Viacom’s International Media Networks with its Music and Entertainment Group which included MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Spike and Logo.

Bakish takes over on November 15 with a focus on “investing in and developing new content, expanding distribution and pursuing strategic growth opportunities.”

He is also been named acting President and CEO of the overall Viacom brand, taking over the role of Tom Dooley who is exiting the company.

REDUNDANCIES AT EMPIRE

As part of a cost-cutting exercise, Bauer Media has instituted redundancies at Empire (Australia) film magazine, with plans to use more content from its UK parent title and Australian freelance talent under Editor Tim Keen.

WATSON LEAVES C91.3

After four years as senior journalist and breakfast news reader, Matt Watson has tendered his resignation at Sydney’s C91.3fm. He previously worked in radio in Canberra, Geelong, Brisbane and Sydney.

BILLY CORGAN NO LONGER HEAD OF TNA WRESTLING

Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan’s tenure of President of TNA Wrestling parent company Impact Ventures came to a crumbling halt after three months. A lawsuit has followed, in which he says loans he made to the company have not been paid back.

Corgan joined the Impact last year as a senior producer of creative and talent development at TNA Wrestling. When he became President, he planned to buy the company from owner Dixie Carter and possibly change its name.

TAYLOR AT ADAW

Christine Taylor has taken over the newly created role of Senior VP, Finance for Warner Music Group’s independent distribution and services arm Alternative Distribution Alliance Worldwide.