Sony Music Australia grows team with three new hires

Following a swag of new artist signings and label partnerships over recent months, Sony Music Australia has expanded its local team with three new recruits.

The new hires, announced today in a memo from label chief Denis Handlin to all staffers, and obtained by TMN, includes appointments to its A&R, licensing and promotions departments.

Joining the major label’s Sydney office is Alexander Franco, Annette Gevert and Jessica Barlow.

Franco arrives at Sony Music from Future Classic and has been appointed senior director, A&R and creative development and will continue to manage Hip Hop artist B Wise and Jeida Woods.

“In a newly created position that strengthens our leading A&R team, Franco will sign and develop his own roster of artists,” Handlin said. He will also A&R some existing acts on the roster.

Franco said: “I’m excited to join a global powerhouse like Sony Music for my next chapter.

“I look forward to working closely with their impressive roster, while signing and developing the next crop of stars that will resonate far beyond Australian shores.”

Sony Music’s promotions team adds Gevert, who joins from Positive Feedback and will report to Dan Nitschke and Grant Donges.

She will manage youth and alt radio, including triple j and Double J, as well as other media partners including community radio and alternative media outlets.

Gevert said: “I am so very pleased to be joining the brilliant team at Sony Music Australia. I have been blown away by the warm welcome that I have so far received from my fellow colleagues, artist managers and media partners.

“It is an absolute honour to be given the responsibility to represent the extensive and diverse roster of Sony Music’s world-class artists.”

Barlow has commenced with the company as licensing manager, reporting to Hannah Marsh.

She joins Sony Music from Warner Music Canada where she was responsible for creative strategy and video game licensing.

Barlow is responsible for developing the company’s licensing and synchronisation business by pitching Sony Music repertoire to clients and responding to incoming music briefs.

Barlow said: “I am ecstatic to be joining the Sony Music team! Their passion and support for their artists, as well as their reputation in market, is second to none.

“I am really looking forward to jumping in and start working with the team to create new opportunities for their renowned domestic and global roster.”

New releases by Shark and Guy Sebastian helped Sony Music Entertainment to their first TMN Hot 100 Market Share win of the year last week, with a 37.26% share.