Musical Chairs: Pandora exec moves to X Studio; Changes at ARN Adelaide; Artists set up music academy in Byron; SBS Media merges teams

Pandora exec moves to X Studio

10-year veteran of the digital music industry Hazel Savage has been appointed as the Global Head of Music for Moment Media, which owns The X Studio in Sydney as well as multiple new properties in London, Bali and Singapore.

Originally from the UK, Hazel has held previous roles at Shazam in London, Universal Music and most recently Pandora, where she headed up industry relations in Australia and New Zealand.

Savage said: “I am so excited about my new role as the Global Head of Music, it has been really hard keeping this one under wraps! I love getting in on the ground-floor with new digital music start ups, I have done it twice already in my career and the third time is a charm!”

Savage, an artist with punk rock band Ginkinta and artist manager of Sydney band The Morrisons, was hired by Moment Media founder and serial entrepreneur Ron Creevey.

Creevey said: “I am excited to have Hazel join the Studio crew, she gets it and understands where the industry is heading, our focus is monetizing live events globally via The X Studio; already open in Sydney and set to open Bali, Singapore and London prior to Christmas and then we will make the technology available to all venues and artists globally.”

Savage will be based between the Sydney and London head offices and will also work with Creevey on his new music label Helipad.

Changes at ARN Adelaide

Sue Carter takes over as Content Director for ARN’s Mix102.3 and Cruise 1323 in Adelaide from August 10, replacing Chris Cotton who is returning to the UK. After working in Australia and the UK, she was most recentlyExecutive Breakfast Producer at Triple M Brisbane.

Tidal loses another CEO in three months

The Jay Z led Tidal music service dropped interim CEO Peter Tonstad after three months. Executives in Oslo and New York City will run day-to-day operations while the search for a new CEO continues. The relaunched Tidal has 770,000 paid subscribers, chasing Spotify's 20 million.

Beats 1 radio show captures superstars as presenters

Apple is flexing its wallet bringing in major names to present regular shows on its Beat 1 radio show. Elton John will profile new and old music (which given his long time support for Australian acts as Pnau, Ross Wilson and Catherine Britt could be a good thing for Aussie talent) and Dr Dre has a show called Pharmacy.

Other presenters include Drake, Pharrell Williams, Disclosure, Josh Homme, Jadan Smith and singer St. Vincent. David Guetta was also said to be in negotiations in early June but nothing further has transpired.

New GM for JOY

LGBTIQ station JOY 94.9’s new GM is Sydney-based Amy Moon who moves back to Melbourne to start August 3. She is from a community radio background (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Community Broadcasting Foundation, 3MBS), and a passionate member of the LGBTIQ community. “Radio is a vital medium that connects people with their wider community and JOY has a truly unique place in the broader media landscape,” she says.

US publicist Liz Rosenberg retiring

US publicist Liz Rosenberg is retiring after 44 years in the business. She began at Warner Bros Records and best known as being Madonna’s rep since 1983. Madonna remembered walking into her office to find her smoking a joint. “She was my kinda girl — tough, irreverent and funny.” Rosenberg also currently represents Cher, Stevie Nicks and Michael Buble.

Sonny Rehe booking new Lido Jazz Room

Sonny Rehe, owner of Melbourne’s Uptown Jazz Café, is also booking the new Lido Jazz Room. The 30-capactty room, which features live acts on Fridays and Saturdays, is found in the Lido Cinemas complex which opened last week.

Jo Van Es on air at 6iX Perth

Sydney-born Jo Van Es, whose deep natural voice has her in demand as a voice artist in retail, corporate, voice acting and promo, joined the on-air team at 6iX Perth. Station PD Stuart Endersby posted online, "Without doubt, Jo is the best female voice in the country – I used her at Mix102.3 Adelaide."

Musicians set up music academy in Byron Bay

Members of the Byron Bay music community have set up a not-for-profit music academy to provide tuition and not exclude anyone who haven’t got the funds to pay for it. It was primarily set up by Phil Shayer of musical instruments retailer Ernst Kaps Pianoforte. It is at 67 Centennial Circuit, Industrial Estate, Byron Bay.

Tutors include Laura Jenkins (guitar, singing, songwriting), Dominic Rado (strings, music studies), Phillip Brandolini (guitar), Christina Ryigert (piano, classes for to 12 year olds), Christina Gobet-Freeman (piano, introduciion to music), Sarah Mulvin (piano), Michael Raymond (sax), Jillian Broughton (flute) and Kassie Sofia (music therapy.

Benni Mihan back at Radio Metro

One timeRidge Radio Bateman’s Bay Station Manager and Light FM Melbourne presenter, Benni Mihan, is back at 105.7 Radio Metro Gold Coast in an on-air role. Mihan, also a DJ and actor, began his media career at Metro in 2005.

Kerry Comerford winds down at The Really Useful Company

Kerry Comerford, NSW-based VP at The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific since 2012 (and with the company since 1995) is retiring. The only international operation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s London based Really Useful Group, it staged shows in Australia, South Africa, SE Asia, New Zealand, Middle East and parts of Europe. Worldwide CEO Barney Wragg hailed Comerford as “a pioneer for the company and the industry, taking the first productions of western musicals into China and across Asia, opening South Korea as a major market.”

SBS Media merges TV, digital, sales teams

As it strengthens its cross-platforming, SBS Media merged its TV and digital sales teams.National Sales Manager Adam Sadler is now National Television and Digital Sales Manager. Meanwhile, National Digital Sales Manager Hayley Cameron heads a new digital commercialisation team.

New breakfast team for K-Rock

K-Rock Geelong’s new breakfast team is Buckle & Hunter,following the exit of Leroy Brown to Light FM Melbourne.

21st Century Fox’s David Hill launches Hilly

21st Century Fox’s SEVP David Hill is leaving after 30 years to set up production company Hilly to cover live production, the creation of reality shows, providing production expertise and digital investment. Hilly is backed by 21st Century Fox.

Judy Potter to head Adelaide Festival board

Judy Potter, current Chair of the South Australian Film Corporation and former Chair of Adelaide Fringe, will head the Adelaide Festival board from next April. She replaces Richard Ryan whose term is expiring.

Shine alumni land on their feet

Endemol Shine International Sales Director Lisa Higginson is Sales Director for Roadshow Television ANZ from July 13. Her brief covers free-to-air TV, pay per view, pay TV and video on demand partnerships.

Shine Australia’s Head of Communications Charlotte McLauchlan becomes NZ media company Mediaworks’ Group Head of Communications. Her role covers their radio brands, websites and mobile and tablet apps.