Musical Chairs: Sam Thompson joins ARN; Keating out of X-Factor; Ministry of Sound targets brand tie-ins; Ex-Sony staffer joins Brett Oaten Solicitors; Graham Kemp retires

Sam Thompson joins ARN

After 3½ years as Group Content Director at Authentic Entertainment, Sam Thompson this week joined GOLD104.3 Melbourne as Content Director. ARN National Content Director Duncan Campbell said, “[Sam’s]intimate understanding of the Melbourne market and skills in working with key talent as well as generating unique and engaging content that resonates with a local audience will be key in driving the next stage of growth for GOLD104.3.” Thompson replaced Mal Lewis who left after seven years. In the latest ratings, GOLD’s figures were static, but lost the 40-54 demographic to Triple M and the 55-64 group to smoothfm.

Ministry of Sound pushes forward to brand tie-ins

Ministry of Sound is promoting itself to major brands as a “premium music partner” as a way to reach its “devoted” audience of “affluent young adults”. To this end, it appointed two execs from the UK’s media commercial development. They are Alexis James (from UKTV and ITV) as Commercial Director and Matthew Kershaw (from MTV, Mixmag, Bartle Bogle Hegarty) as Group Marketing Director to spread the word about the record label and its entertainment business as nightclubs, online Ministry of Sound Radio and Hed Kandi which hosts1,500 international events annually across the world. Data from PRS shows brands plough over £100m into the UK music biz each year.

Shane Sutton to edit Who

Pacific Magazines promoted long time entertainment writer Shane Sutton to Editor of its celebrity and entertainment title Who. He was formerly its Deputy Editor. He will expand the magazine’s reach to social media and multi-platforms. Former Editor Nicky Briger now helms Marie Claire.

New addition to Brett Oaten Solicitors

Andrew Cameron joined Sydney entertainment law firm Brett Oaten Solicitors. He spent four years at Allens Linklaters and then six years at Sony Music Entertainment Australia. He also plays drums with the band Spectacles and twice played backup percussion for Ben Folds at the Opera House.

SCA Product Team expands

There have been two additions to the SCA Sydney Product team.

Sophie Hallwright comes from New Zealand’s Edge to join Today’s hit network Shazam Top 20 as Executive Producer on May 11.

Alexandra Spurway this week began as Senior Producer for hit 104.1 2DayFM’s The Dan & Maz Show. She was at Channel 9’s Today Show.

Territory FM shuffle

At Darwin’s 104.1 Territory FM, Mel Little brings ten years of radio experience to the breakfast shift. She took over from Johnny McKay who moved to Alice Springs. The retirement of Joe Miller, reported in last week’s Musical Chairs, sees station GM Jih Seymour back on air after nine years.

TVNZ board headed by women

In an inspiring move, TVNZ appointed former MediaWorks CEO Sussan Turner as Chair, and Therese Walsh, a TVNZ board director since 2012, as Deputy Chairwoman.

Graham Kemp retires

After a 54-year career, Graham Kemp pushed the “retire” button. He was at 4BH, 4IP Ipswich, 4BK (he told Radio Today he won the shortlist because interviewer Rhett Waker liked his astrological sign), 4BC Brisbane (as Program Manager) and most recently GM at RadioTAB for nine years.

Keating out of X-Factor

Ronan Keating confirmed he’s not returning to X-Factor Australia after five years. He’s working on a solo album. He follows Redfoo as a no-show.

New owner for Canberra’s Smith's Alternative venue

Nigel McRae, founder of the Canberra Musicians Club, is new owner of the city’s Smith's Alternative, a Civic-based bookshop and live music venue. It went into liquidation last month after its format of music, poetry and comedy failed to pull enough numbers. McRae told 666 ABC Canberra that he didn’t want to see the club disappear because “it had a really unique character” and showcased music styles that didn’t fit into other venues.

Kwitowski at ARN

Olympia Kwitowski, previously at Fairfax Radio, is now Campaign Specialist at Australian Radio Network based in Stones Corner, Queensland.

Now Endemol CEO steps down

Following the announcement that TV production house Shine’s founders and CEOs Mark and Carl Fennessy before its merger with Endemol, now Endemol CEO Janeen Faithful is stepping down post-merger. The new company’s structure, leadership and launch date will be announced after a review by Endemol Shine Group co-CEO of International Operations Martha Brass.

Global Live launched

Global Entertainment, run by Randy Phillips, launched a new division Global Live. It is run by Bon Jovi manager Paul Korzilius as Senior VP and former Live Nation and Pure Management executive Sam Bush as Director. It is already working with The Rolling Stones at Indianapolis’ Motor Speedway on July 4 in conjunction with AEG Live and on the current Vamps UK tour.

Zappa joins Radio Canberra

Christian Zappa is the new Commercial Producer at Radio Canberra – 2CC, 2CA, KIX and MyCanberra Digital. Zappa comes from Now FM Moree.

Adrian Brine launching new radio website

Adrian Brine, founder of media talent-sharing platform Spotd is closing it down and starting up Onnair which will focus on the radio industry. It has the same goal of allowing young talent to showcase and share their work.

Rodney Jerkins launches Lifestyle Music Group

Grammy winning producer Rodney Jerkins launched Lifestyle Music Group as part of his Evolve Music Group to develop gospel and Christian music artists. Former Columbia and Warner exec Demmette Guidry is its GM.

Geelong musician sets up Blue Note

Geelong musician Andy Pobjoy is setting up a music-showcasing piano bar called Blue Note which is inspired by New York’s jazz clubs.

Glenn Hartas at Fresh FM

Glenn Hartas moves from the Gold Coast, where he was Operations & Communities Manager at Juice1073 to Gladstone to become Content Manager at 91.9 Fresh FM. Hartas became a volunteer presenter at Sutherland community station 2SSR FM 99.7 at the age of 12 and ZZZFM Lismore. He was Music Director and announcer.at 96five FM Brisbane

Jude McBean to chair Arts Northern Rivers

Jude McBean is new Chair of Arts Northern Rivers, which develops and supports the arts sector in the NSW region. She was Director of Grafton Regional Gallery and is on the board of three local galleries. Former Chair, Cr. Paul Spooner, opted not to stand citing his roles as GM of Byron Community Centre that houses Byron Theatre and duties at the Byron Shire Council.

Screen Metro taps veterans for new courses

Metro Screen’s two new courses taps industry experience for its lead tutors. The Diploma in Digital Content Producing (July to December) will have Kate Ayrton, who worked in film and TV and production companies in New York, Los Angeles and Sydney. The short-term Multiplatform Storytelling, from May 23, is run by comedy director producer Chloe Rickard with guest talks from the Van Vuuren Bros (Soul Mates, Bondi Hipsters).

Samsung Australia loses chief marketer

Samsung Australia lost its Chief Marketing Officer of three years, Arno Lenior. He received industry awards and internal global citations for an aggressive market-share growing approach which tapped into social media and an adaption of the Zero Moment of Truth customer experience. Samsung Australia recently also parted with Communications Manager Richard Noble.

Changes at Themusic.com.au

Themusic.com.au reported that Digital Editor Sally-Anne Hurley is leaving after three years. Joining the Sydney office are Neil Griffiths (ex-Daily Mail) and Upasana Chatterjee.