Musical Chairs: October 21

Nina Las Vegas ponders life after triple j

While Nina Las Vegas(pictured) preps up to play her final Mix Up Exclusives on triple j this Saturday after announcing her exit last week, she’s already working on her next moves: “As soon as I get off air, I’ll be on tour in the USA, Europe and Japan, so there’s a lot going on!”

As for her decision to leave triple j after over ten years, she explains, “I also really love producing and want to spend more time working on my own music.” This week she releases details of her NLV Records. She calls it “A project that I’ve been working on for a while now and something I’m really excited about. You see, I really love finding new music. And playing it. And now, I get to put it out!”

There’ll be a series of international NLV shows dropping before the year’s end.

Nina Las Vegas started at the broadcaster as a 19-year old doing work experience. Then as host of the highly popular House Party, she helped launch the careers of Flume, Alison Wonderland, Flight Facilities, Wave Racer and Tkay Maidza and released a series of branded CDs.

In November, Mix Up will feature residencies from EDM names as Peking Duk, One Day, Elizabeth Rose and Basenji. Following this, the best Mix Up sets from 2015 will be broadcast across the summer break. When Mix Up returns in January 2016, special monthly residents take over the show with exclusive sets each and every Saturday night.

ACE Radio brings content under one roof

A restructure at ACR Radio sees all content amalgamated, with programming veteran Grant Johnstone appointed to the newly created role of Head of Content. He handles all radio ands digital content, marketing and promotion. All this plus continuing his role as GM of the network’s TRFM & GOLD 1242. Johnstone joined Ace in 1994.

In other changes, Mat Cummins is upped to Group Content Director – Radio, Jon Vertigan is Asst. Group Content Director – Radio, Ant Middlemiss is Group Content Director – Digital, while Lauren Buckley is Group Promotions Director.

James MacKenzie heads Victorian Arts Centre Trust

The Victorian State Government appointed high profile financier James MacKenzie to take over in December as new President of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust, which oversees the iconic Arts Centre Melbourne. As the largest performing arts complex in the country – including Hamer Hall, Myer Music Bowl and spire topped Theatres Building – it drew 2.6 million people last year.

Tim Dunlop back at SCA

Tim Dunlop, who had a stint in New Zealand after working at 2DAY FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show, The Dirt and Hot 30, is back at Southern Cross Austereo. This time he’s working as Executive Producer on the upcoming Rove McManus show. While in NZ, he was Assistant Content Director for The Hits.

New name at Country Arts WA

As Country Arts WA preps up delivery of the WA Government’s Royalties for Regions $24 million investment in culture and the arts, it appointed Doone McAlary as Regional Arts Development Coordinator.

Canberra 104.7 breakfast team launch delayed

Canberra 104.7’s launch of its new Nige & Knuckles breakfast team, set for Monday, now takes place tomorrow. Nigel Johnson is teamed with Kate Rice after the exit of Scott Masters.

Harry Connick Jr gets daytime TV show

Harry Connick Jr gets his own daytime TV show to be syndicated in 17 Fox owned US stations from next September. The singer and actor is currently a judge on the final American Idol. It is not known, given his own high profile in Australia, if the show will make it here. It will have live music acts, man-on-the-street interviews, stunts, parodies and audience participation.

Melinda Schneider spreads love at Star 104.5

Melinda Schneider, part of the large country music and roots community living on the NSW Central Coast, joins Star 104.5 in the Mondays to Thursdays night slot. Love Songs With Melinda Schneider has song requests, dedications and romantic experiences and, says station PD Shayne Sinclair is “a beautiful program based not on cynicism, negativity and confrontation, but rather love, understanding and tolerance.”

New promo at Universal Music

Universal Music UK promoted Jack Fryer to Director of Audience Research and Planning. It was a role he handled at EMI before joining Universal two years ago.

New GM for Amber’s consumer sales

Amber Technology has brought in Richard Neale as General Manager of Lifestyle Entertainment to turn around the fortunes of its consumer sales. At the end of June, the distributor reported a loss of $419,000 for its 2014/5 financial year on a turnover of $50,157,000.

Telstra’s Joe Pollard gets group executive role

Telstra promoted Joe Pollard, Group Managing Director of Media and Marketing. to Chief Marketing Officer and Group Executive of Media. She joined Telstra last year after working with Nike globally, Nine Entertainment Co, CEO of ninemsn and CEO of Publicis Mojo.

PIAF farewells Julian Donaldson

Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF)’s Chair John Barrington paid tribute to outgoing GM of the past ten years, Julian Donaldson. He cited his “professionalism, passion and dedication to the festival and the local arts sector over many years. “His time at the helm has seen audiences grow and as well as the festival’s reputation for international excellence and community engagement."

PIAF is recruiting a new GM to work with new Artistic Director Wendy Martin “who has an exciting, bold and ambitious vision for how to make the Perth International Arts Festival one of the greatest in the southern hemisphere.” It will announce its 2016 program on 4 November.

New digital commercial head for Bauer Xcel Media

Bauer Xcel Media’s new Digital Commercial Director for Australia and NZ, Peter Manten, was previously Ten’s National Head of Sales for Digital Media.

Twitter global cuts hit an Aussie

Twitter’s global cuts hit the role of Flip Prior’s Australian News and Government Manager. ABC’s Mark Colvin tweeted Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to protest that Prior “built Twitter’s brand in Australia the way no-one else could have.”

Three additions to History Will Be Kind

Integrated communications agency, History Will Be Kind (HWBK), builds its offering and team with three hires across PR, social and content production. Joining are new Senior Account Director Edwina Brook, Account Executive Cara Heasman and Social Media Content Designer Hannah Lehmann.

Two promotions at Vizeum

Vizeum promoted Managing Director Travis Day to National Managing Director and Head of Digital & Investment David Campbell to Melbourne GM.

BMG promotes Keith Hauprich to Deputy General Counsel

BMG promoted one of the brightest entertainment lawyers in America, New York-based Keith Hauprich to Deputy General Counsel. He was its VP, Business & Legal Affairs & A/V business development since 2010 where he sources new opportunities in film and TV, handled litigation negotiated arrangements with sub-publishers; and worked with joint venture partners.

Toshiba loses another Australian executive

Paul English, Toshiba Australia’s National Retail Manager, quit 14 months into the job, Channel News reported.