Sony Music makes promotions across A&R, brand partnerships & sync

Sony Music’s Denis Handlin has announced a series of internal appointments across A&R, promotions, brand partnerships and sync/ licensing.

Marietta Ouzas, formerly Sony Music Entertainment’s manager of Victorian promotions and Australian artists marketing and development, is now senior director of A&R. She joined the company as an intern in 2013, and has progressed through publicity, promotions and sales roles.

She also featured in TMN’s 30 Under 30 list last year.

Handlin said the promotion reinforces the company’s emphasis on having a strong A&R presence in Victoria, and its commitment to artist development in the “culturally vibrant city” of Melbourne.

The Melbourne A&R team will also expand and report into Ouzas.

“Marietta’s significant contribution to Australian artists is well-known, especially through the signing and A&R of Tones and I and Tash Sultana,” Handlin said in a note to staff.

“In recent times, she has helped expand and diversify our artist roster by working with the team that has brought artists to the company including MAY-A, Jerome Farah, Forest Claudette, Billy Davis, mvlholland and KYE, as well as JV labels Arcadia Records with Christian Lo Russo, and Seven Seven Records with Jon Halstead and Zach Hamilton-Reaves.”

In addition, Fenella Wagener and Tammy Hofbauer are now senior directors of national promotions. Wagener will be Melbourne-based, while Hofbauer is in Sydney, with both reporting to Wayne Ringrow for Australian repertoire and Grant Donges for the international side.

Hofbauer is based in Sydney 

The duo will lead the promotions team across the country and be strategically important for the company’s relationships with radio networks.

Wagener joined Sony Music in 2019 as director of promotions and media for Victoria. She had previously been at Universal Music as PR and media manager, and had worked as a producer across television and radio.

Wagener has been a producer at Triple M and Fox FM

Hofbauer, meanwhile, commenced in A&R at Sony Music in 2008, and has since been in various communications and artist-relations roles.

And finally, Sophie McArthur, vice president of streaming strategy and partner development across ANZ, absorbs responsibility for the brand partnership and sync-licensing teams.

McArthur 

She joined in 2013 as manager of business development and has since worked with the company’s Asia division, as well as in executive leadership roles across digital and business development.

Handlin said the new roles, all effective immediately, are very well-deserved.