Musical Chairs: Spotify taps marketing guru; New AMD for 2DAY; Aussie makes waves in Dubai; Jamieson turns festival promoter

Spotify taps marketing guru as battle with Apple emerges

As battle lines are drawn with Apple, music streaming service Spotify has signaled it means business by naming highly prized marketing guru Seth Farbman as its first Chief Marketing Officer. In his four years as global MCO at Gap, Farbman creatively overhauled Gap’s marketing, doubled its marketing spend to $54 million and breathed life into the brand through music tie-ups. Farbman was named by Forbes as one of the Top 10 most influential marketers. He begins at Spotify on April 6 and will be based in New York.

New AMD for 2DAY

After getting her to fill in at certain times in the past three months, Hit 1041 2DayFM Sydney announced Violet Merhi as new Assistant Music Director.

New management for Sydney’s Hotel Imperial

The Imperial Hotel in Sydney’s Erskineville comes under new management. Spice Group International (SGI), of dance club Spice Cellar in Sydney’s CBD, takes over in late April. It will showcase emerging and established acts, DJs, gender illusionists, drag and burlesque acts. Spice founder and co-owner Murat Kilic said the venue wanted to “work with the LGBTI and local communities to optimize the wonderful melting pot of diversity.” Rebecca Alder from the Spice Cellar is added to the new management team. Also joining the venue is musician Jonny Seymour of Kooky events.

David Mack returns to radio

After a hiatus from radio, David Mack is back on air in Newcastle. He produces and presents the Saturday morning show on 2NURFM.

Aussie makes waves in Dubai

Mariam “Maz” Hakim, an Australian radio announcer with an Afghan heritage, is now co-hosting Trending 20 on Virgin Radio 104.4 Dubai. Virgin is a part of the Arabian Radio Network, largest radio network in the UAE.

Jamieson turns festival promoter

Phil Jamieson of Grinspoon is behind Port Macquarie (NSW)’s new festival. The Magic Castle Festival is on Saturday April 11 at the Black Duck Brewery with eight bands and two DJs. Jamieson is raising funds for a friend, Lucas ‘Frugs’ Farrugia who sustained massive head injured in a motorcycle accident in January this year on the Oxley Highway.

Peter Rhodes leaves Reed Midem

Peter Rhodes, who has been MD of event company Reed Midem’s London office, is stepping down at the end of May. He has been with the firm, best known in Australia for its ties with MIDEM, for 31 years. In 2007, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for promoting British business interests in France.

Jake Chapman moves to Rebel FM

After four years at Gold Coast’s Hot Tomato hosting their Hot Nights show, Jake Chapman is now Operations Manager at Rebel FM.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s NZ gig raises eyebrows

Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s appointment as the new judge and mentor for X Factor NZ caused some irritation in that country. If Bassingthwaighte was picked because she was signed to Sony Music (which offers the record deal for the winning contestant), ‘why not Sony NZ’s female signings as Brooke Fraser, Bic Runga, Zowie or Annah Mac?’ The obvious answer is that co-producer FremantleMedia Australia wanted someone who had proved themselves in TV judging, and not add to the chaos that has engulfed the show of late.Also joining Bassingthwaighte, Stan Walker and Melanie Blatt on the judge’s table on Sunday night was NZ born drummer Shelton Woolright, from UK band I Am Giant. He was previously with NZ band Blindspott, whose two albums through EMI debuted at #1.

New Head of Production for Red Engine

Digital creative and content marketing firm Red Engine appointed Lawrence Katsidis from Loud to fill the newly created role of Head of Production across its divisions and its video production arm Engine Room.

Eden Gaha promoted at Endemol Shine North America

Australian expatriate Eden Gaha, Shine America’s President of Unscripted Television, will serve as President, Unscripted Television of Endemol Shine USA. It s part of the restructure of the U.S operation of the recently merged Endemol, Shine and CORE Media. The one time actor and host of ABC-TV’s Vidiot and Executive Producer of Rock Star,

Marketing manager for Val Morgan

Val Morgan Outdoor’s new Marketing Manager Nicolette Onsley is from NBN Co., where she oversaw strategy, creating content and managing campaigns.