News March 3, 2025

Simon Cahill, Jono Whyman to Lead SXSW Sydney as Co-Managing Directors

Head of Content

SXSW Sydney co-managing directors Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman

Following the departure of Colin Daniels as SXSW Sydney managing director, the annual event will be guided by not one but two chiefs.

Announced early Monday, March 3rd, Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman are named as co-managing directors for SXSW Sydney, which this year enters its third edition.

Cahill and Whyman have been working on the event since day one and both “played a pivotal role in helping build one of the largest events in the APAC region,” comments TEG CEO Geoff Jones, in a statement.

It’s the second promotion in a year for Cahill, who retains his existing commercial responsibilities as TEG’s chief commercial officer, a role he stepped into last February.

At SXSW Sydney, Whyman has previously served as head of event operations, then general manager.

Photo Credit: Paul McMillan

Meanwhile, Daniels will step down from as SXSW Sydney managing director, a position he has held since the inaugural show in 2023.

The veteran Sydney-based music executive remains in the TEG family, with a position on the SXSW Sydney board as well as being a founding partner of Handsome Tours, the promoter and events organiser, now part of TEG through a deal struck in 2021.

Daniels is one of this country’s most experienced music industry professionals, with stints in the UK and US, working with both major and independent music companies across recordings, events and more.

He’s the ex-managing director of Inertia, a founding patron of The Australian Music Prize and former board member of the global digital rights organization, Merlin.

Colin Daniels

Daniels relocated to Los Angeles from 2018 to 2020, where he helmed PIAS’ activities for America and Asia Pacific. Prior to taking the top job at SXSW Sydney, Daniels steered PIAS’ Australia operation, as managing director.

Daniels started in the music industry as a product manager for distributor MDS, part of the Mushroom Group. Shifting into A&R in the early ’90s, Daniels helped set up Mushroom Records expansion into the UK – an unheard of ambition for an Australian independent – before returning back to Australia to serve as GM at the growing MDS.

At the turn of the millennium, Daniels was appointed as head of A&R for EMI Records Australia, then moved on to the UK where he served as senior director of A&R for EMI Records Europe.

“First and foremost,” adds Jones, “I would like to personally thank Colin for his dedication and hard work over the years. Colin has done an outstanding job in building a passionate Team, successfully launching SXSW Sydney, and ensuring the vision for this world-leading event is set for the future. His leadership has been instrumental, and I am grateful for his contributions.”

SXSW Sydney 2025 will be presented from October 13th–19th.

“We are both honoured to step into the role of Co-managing directors for SXSW Sydney,” comments Cahill and Whyman in a statement. “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Geoff for this incredible opportunity and to Colin for laying such a strong foundation for the festival.

“We are excited to build on the success of the festival and further develop SXSW Sydney as the premier destination for innovation, creativity, and collaboration in the Asia Pacific region.”

Sydney is the APAC hub for SXSW, marking its first-ever expansion beyond its original home in Austin, Texas, where it all began back in 1987.

Key Dates: