Musical Chairs: September 15
LIVE NATION STRENGTHENS MEDIA & SPONSORSHIP
In the wake of a 31% rise in revenue by its reinvigorating corporate productivity, Live Nation has appointed ts first COO, a newly created position.
Based in New York, Chris Loll will lead all business operations and set up lengthy strategy said to ‘introduce new data, digital and live products for agencies and advertisers, while refining process, systems and sales solutions to accelerate the division’s overall growth and vision.”
Lott, most recently COO at IPG Mediabrands has a track record of growing media and ad businesses and “reinvigorating corporate productivity”, LN said.
CAROLINE GATES DEPARTING SYDNEY’S FBi
After seven years in the role, Caroline Gates is exiting as Program Director at Sydney community radio station FBi.
The station acknowledged Gates’ “pivotal role in defining the sound of the station and in developing FBi Radio into a cross platform offering.”
Also acknowledged was her training of broadcasters and content creators, and developing Dance Class – a training initiative for young female dance music lovers as a response to a lack of female representation in electronic music.
The position is being advertised, see fbiradio.com, deadline is Monday October 2. FBi broadcasts to 460,000 a month, with a core 18—24 demo and a format of 50% Australian music, half of which is by Sydney acts.
STEVE HENTY ENDS AT JUNCTION ARTS
After six years Steve Henty has bowed out as GM of Launceston’s Junction Arts Festival. The latest episode, held this month, was its most successful, with 9000 drawn to Prince’s Square over five days.
Henty moves to take over as full-time CEO at CityProm, which runs events to ensure that the city centre remains the focal point of Launceston.
SPOTIFY INTENSIFIES VIDEO, PODCASTING
After announcing video and podcasting as a priority, Spotify hired Courtney Holt to oversee its team. Of late, it’s signalled these services will be offered through its playlists as Rap Caviar and Rock This rather than set up separate options.
Holt’s background is in labels (Atlantic Records, Interscope Geffen A&M), music television (MTV Networks) and digital (Myspace Music).
He was most recently head of Disney’s Maker Studios.
NEW PRODUCER FOR HIT’S BREAKFAST SHOW
Southern Cross Austereo’s Brisbane GM, Damon Rielly, announced Kazmir (Kaz) Simpson as Producer of the Stav, Abby & Matt with Osher breakfast show on Hit105.
Formerly from Melbourne where she graduated with a Diploma of Arts in commercial radio from Swinburne University, Simpson moved to Brisbane this January as part of the SCA sales team.
She furthered her skills in managing client campaigns and continued working as an in-demand voice-over artist. (Radio Today).
WIL ANDERSON AT TRIPLE M?
Following Mick Molly’s shift to Triple M’s drive show next month, the Herald Sun reported that comedian Wil Anderson is the favourite to become the third member of the station’s Hot Breakfast team alongside Eddie McGuire and Luke Darcy.
STEVE ROMER LEAVING VMA
After three and a half years as Gold Coast-based CEO of the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Limited Steve Romer has tendered his resignation and leaves at the end of next month.
Before that, he was GM at the Sydney Entertainment Centre (2009—13) and held senior management roles at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Blacktown International Sports Park and at Gold Coast theme parks Dreamworld and Sea World.
VMA Chairman Steve Harper said that the VMA had benefitted from Romer’s venue experience.
“Steve leaves on a high, with the VMA now elevated to a new level of professionalism, along with the delivery of significant membership growth, increased membership benefits, the further development of professional and educational programs and a strong financial position to enable the organisation to return even greater benefits to its members.
KELLIE HOLT TO OVERSEE CONTENT AT ATOMIC 212º
Former New York-based content and brand entertainment expert Kellie Holt is now Head of Content at Sydney agency Atomic 212º. Most recently Director of Branded Entertainment at Havas Media in New York, she has already brought a fresh approach to the agency’s marketing operations.
UNIVERSAL’S GLOBE GETS NEW MD
Universal Music’s five year old brand partnerships, sync & production division Globe Productions has a new Managing Director.
Stefan Demetriou was most recently at Warner Music UK, where he produced Ed Sheeran’s Jumpers For Goalposts movie as well as Grammy-nominated documentaries by Blur, Coldplay and Gorillaz.
Globe has already created docos for Queen, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jessie J, Take That, Paul Weller and Elton John with TV series in Britain with brands as Red Bull, Abbey Road and Future Sounds.
HUNT FOR NEW EDITOR FOR WHO …
Long time entertainment writer Shane Sutton has left as Editor of Who magazine after two years. He’s leaving to “pursue other projects,” Pacific Magazine said.
Sutton, who became its Deputy Editor of the weekly celeb title in 2008, was previously Editor-In-Chief of Famous.
A permanent replacement is being sought while Deputy Editor Amy Reedy steers the ship.
…AND UNDERTHERADAR
New Zealand’s music and entertainment title Undertheradar is also looking for an entertainer, with Danielle Street off after almost four years to join Radio New Zealand.
WASO EXTENDS FISCH TENTURE
West Australian Symphony Orchestra extended Principal Conductor Asher Fisch’s tenure to 2023, making it a 10-year partnership.
STORER AT HIT NEWCASTLE
Rachel Storer has landed a full-time job with SCA at Hit 106.9 Newcastle.
She came to their attention after winning the inaugural Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) Brian White Scholarship which gave her an eight-week scholarship with turns at all the major radio broadcasters.
FOX MUSIC SYNC IDENTITY PLUGS IN WITH START-UP
Veteran Fox identity Steve Celi who oversaw the use of music on its prime time shows and helped launch American Idol, X Factor, Glee and Empire is now at Paul Wiltshire’s Los Angeles-based music licensing startup Songtradr.
As its VP of Creative Services, Celi will head a team to produce music for advertisers, TV networks, films and other media, and help music supervisors find music for their projects.
STONNINGTON BRINGS IN NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Two new Artistic Directors start at Melbourne’s City of Stonnington next year, each on a three year contract, for its three part summer series The Classics.
Chris Parker will oversee the Broadway segment, saying he wants to focus on the musical theatre of the 21st century. A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) he is currently Resident Director for The Bodyguard The Musical.
Melbourne-born Cameron Menzies will handle the Opera section (which he did between 2009—2014), and intends to introduce more diversity to the offerings.
DAVID LOWE PROMOTED
After joining Forever Classic 3GG (targeting the 40+ demographic in Gippsland and Latrobe Valley in country Victoria) as Account Manager, David Lowe is now promoted to the station’s General Manager.
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