Tim Pithouse Exits Role at The Orchard: EXCLUSIVE

Tim Pithouse is preparing to depart from his post as the New York-based global head of artist and label services at Sony Music-owned The Orchard, after three years with the distributor.

He was among a small number of Sony Music executives tipped by insiders to be in the running to one day replace the label’s former chief, Denis Handlin, who departed in June last year.

Sony Music Australia, which has been flying solo without a leader for more than nine months now, is yet to install a new CEO to oversee the Australian and New Zealand business.

Sources told TMN on Tuesday that Pithouse resigned from The Orchard, but it is not yet clear if he is remaining with Sony Music in another capacity. TMN also understands an announcement about his future plans in the music industry is imminent, and could come as soon as Wednesday.

Before relocating to New York to join The Orchard, Pithouse was the general manager of international marketing and artist development at Sony Music Australia.

He has been with Sony Music for more than 15 years.

Pithouse joined the major in 2006 as a digital services account manager, and over the years has held a number of positions in marketing and artist development within the company.

While in Australia and reporting to Handlin, he worked on campaigns for artists including Alicia Keys, Amy Shark, Calvin Harris, Daft Punk, David Bowie, Future, George Ezra, Khalid, Mark Ronson, P!nk, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Travis Scott, Tash Sultana and others.

Pictured (L-R): Tim Pithouse; Nate Flagrant (Director, FAM); Denis Handlin; Jason Iley (Chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland) at the Sony Music conference in 2018

When he joined The Orchard in 2018, Pithouse’s brief was to expand the company’s capabilities in artist and label services around the world. The promotion was seen by many in the biz, and the industry more widely, as a stepping stone to a bigger and brighter future with Sony Music.

“My focus is on building careers and driving artist awareness internationally,” he said at the time, “and I look forward to helping provide The Orchard’s artists and labels with highly effective, efficient and creative solutions for reaching fanbases worldwide.”

Prior to joining Sony Music, Pithouse held roles at EMAP, Next Media and London-based ITV.

Among the deals credited to Pithouse during his stint at The Orchard – which was fully acquired by Sony Music in 2015 – was a landmark deal with K-Pop juggernaut JYP Entertainment, the Seoul-based label behind K-pop stars TWICE, GOT7, DAY6, Stray Kids and ITZY