Welcome to ‘The Latest Spin on Executive Turntables. This is Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of music promotions, hires, departures, firings, and everything in between.
We saw the departure of Spotify’s global head of music and a changing of the guard at Verve, but otherwise it was a pretty quiet week. Read the (mostly) good news. Also, check out Billboard’s recently released annual list of Latin music’s most powerful executives, a weekly interview series highlighting one more executive, and a handy calendar of noteworthy events. Do you find yourself in the executive office thinking a little while reading detailed answers to the most important questions facing your business? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.
Aric Steinberg promoted to executive director of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a 30-year-old nonprofit organization that provides a lifeline to musicians and industries facing financial hardship due to illness, disability, or other challenges. did. Founded by folk singer-songwriter Victoria Williams in 1994 after she released a star-studded charity album, the charity provides artists, composers, road staff, agents and more with a range of essential supplies. We provide financial assistance in the form of grants to cover the From medical expenses to housing and food expenses. L.A.-based Steinberg joined Sweet Relief in 2010, most recently as executive vice president of development and artist relations, following the death of former director Rob Max in 2017. It basically plays that role. “It has been a long time coming to formally bestow the title of executive director on Aric in 2024…as he has exemplified the title for many years,” said Bill Bennett, president of the fund. “We look forward to a special future with Aric as Sweet Relief continues to increasingly support musicians and music industry workers in need.”
Sweet Relief has supported a wide range of artists over the years, most recently Sick of It All frontman Lou Kohler and singer-songwriter Jesse Marin, both of whom will be releasing their albums later this year. A charity concert is planned for . “I think Sweet Relief has a bright future as we continue to grow every year and help more musicians and music industry professionals,” Steinberg said. “This year, our 30th anniversary, is our best year yet and we look forward to continuing to serve our community.”
meanwhile…
Allen Torossian has been promoted to general manager of Warner Music Emerging Markets, effective October 1, and Jonathan Jules has joined as vice president of creative. Both will report directly to Alfonso Pérez Soto, President of Emerging Markets. The division is home to artists such as Calin, Diljit Dosanjh and Joeboy, and covers fast-growing regions such as Africa, Eastern Europe, India and the Middle East, which have expanded through strategic investments and partnerships. . Mr. Torossian has been with Warner Music for more than 10 years and previously served as the division’s vice president of operations. Jules, formerly EMPIRE’s vice president of international marketing and operations, will now drive strategic leadership for WMEM’s A&R and marketing teams. Pérez-Soto praised Torossian’s “unwavering” ability to multitask and execute detail-oriented projects “without losing his forensic focus on detail,” and praised Jules’ entrepreneurial spirit and “Culture and Music He praised his ability to read the shifting sands and predict tomorrow’s trends. ” Perez-Soto added, “By working together, we will be able to supervise our artists and grow our business rapidly.”
Sony Music Publishing has hired Caroline Elleray as Vice President of Creative Songwriter Services, effective immediately. In this role, Eleray will lead efforts to support songwriters, manage the catalog, and collaborate with global creative teams to explore new growth opportunities. Based in London, Elleray reports to co-managing directors Tim Major and David Ventura. With over 20 years of experience in music publishing, including previous stints at UMPG and BMG, she has discovered and developed artists such as Coldplay, Keene, Feist, Rex Orange County and Mumford & Sons. . In addition to his new role at SMP, Elleray will continue to manage Second Songs, the publishing and management venture he co-founded with Mark Gale in 2022. Second Songs has partnered with SMP UK and represents talent including Victoria Canal and songwriters Matt Hales and Dan Green. “Her track record, the songwriters and artists she has worked with speak for themselves and demonstrate her immense and tireless dedication to music creators,” said SMP UK President and Vice President International. said Ventura.
Nashville-based record label New West Records has promoted Tommy Robinson to general manager and vice president of sales, and promoted Brady Bullock to senior vice president of media and reissue producer. Katie Keller has been promoted to vice president of project management, and Meg Barron has been promoted to director of A&R and publishing. Brooke Nixon joins as vice president of digital marketing from Big Machine Label Group’s Valory Music Company, where she served as director of streaming. Current members of New West include Aaron Lee Tasjan, 49 Winchester, Ben Folds and American Aquarium. –Jessica Nicholson
Universal Music Finland has appointed veteran executive Petri Manonen as CEO, effective immediately. Mr. Mannonen joined UMG in 2010 as Commercial Director and expanded his responsibilities in 2017 to include overseeing operations in the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Before joining Universal, he was CEO of pay-TV company Viasat Finland (now Viaplay). UMF’s roster includes KUUMAA, Mirella, Robin Paccare, and more. “The Finnish music market is currently in a very interesting situation,” Manonen said. “Releasing music has never been easier and with more options, the role of major record labels is becoming more important. Our job is to take care of our artists while building their long-term careers. We want to provide current and future artists with a creative and professional space to grow and develop while ensuring their music reaches the right audience. Masu.”
FUGA, the Downtown-owned B2B music distributor, has promoted Renato Vanzella to general manager for Latin America, expanding on his previous role as general manager for Brazil and expanding operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. supervised. Mr. Vanzella will report to Sarah Landy, Senior Vice President, Americas, and will focus on business development, client relations, and DSP partnerships. Since joining FUGA in 2019, Vanzella has significantly grown the team and secured major clients including Elemess, MJC Music, Beeside Records, and Radar Records. Randi praised Renato Vanzella’s promotion, highlighting his “extraordinary strategic vision and leadership” over the years. “Renato has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the local music landscape, and his passion for collaboration and client service has earned him the respect of our team and partners,” she said.
Armada Music has appointed Susanne Hazendonk as Head of Catalog, bringing over 15 years of industry experience from Spinnin’ Records and Warner Music Benelux. Hasendonk, who has worked with top dance artists such as Lucas & Steve, Sam Feldt, and Afrojack, as well as hitmakers such as Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is a fan of dance music and the big hits of yesteryear. I am familiar with both songs. She will report directly to COO Jop Bonnike, lead marketing and storytelling efforts, and oversee the expansion of Armada’s catalog division and acquisitions through the BEAT Music Fund. Bonnike praised Hasendonk’s “unwavering passion and contagious enthusiasm for dance music” and said, “I look forward to working with Suzanne to seize new opportunities in the market as we continue to prioritize the growth and evolution of our catalog division.” I’m looking forward to it,” he added.
Big Loud Rock has added Zack Segal Eisman as vice president of digital and viral marketing, responsible for the imprint’s digital marketing strategy and execution, artist growth and future record releases and catalog records. Oversee the digital presence of both releases. Segal Eisman started marketing consultancy Amplify Legacy earlier this year and previously worked at social media agency Crowd Surf and Artist Network Management. –JN
Board Shorts: The Music Managers Forum has appointed Niamh Byrne as chair and Jill Hollywood as vice-chair respectively, replacing Paul Craig and Kwame Kwateng, who recently resigned after two three-year terms. Mr. Byrne, co-founder of Eleven Management, is credited with artists including Damon Albarn, Blur and Gorillaz. She has a wealth of experience having held positions at Universal Music UK and her own consultancy company, The Engine Room. Founder of Echo Beach Management, Hollywood has managed both legendary producers and up-and-coming talent, including the current roster of Jacknife Lee, Ash Howes, and Ash Workman. Hollywood previously worked for Big Life Management for over 10 years. MMF also announced that Theory Management’s Hyde Hoon will join the board of directors, replacing Claire Wright… Newport Folk recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Newport’s heritage with the “Fork Family ” launched the Newport Folk Stewardship Program, which aims to challenge innovation for the future. The first appointee will be St. Louis-born Americana artist Nathaniel Rateliff, who will focus on artist advocacy, mentorship, and fellowship within the Newport folk community and beyond. His term of office is three years, of which he will serve two years as an active steward and one year as an advisor to his successor.
Nettwerk has appointed Ruth Wyatt as Director of Sync for the UK and Europe, bringing with her experience successfully delivering artists to various sync opportunities at Warner Music UK. Her notable credits include Sam Ryder’s “Christmas To Me.” Wyatt said he was looking forward to helping the network build on sync opportunities across the UK and Europe, adding: “There has never been a more exciting time to be in the sync space. “We’re seeing a breakout,” he adds, with works from Scandinavia, Spain, Germany, France and Australia, all of which have captivated an overwhelmingly international audience, subsequently giving our artists worldwide recognition. It has a significant impact. Mark Jowett, co-founder of Nettwerk, said Wyatt’s “expertise in making sync happen is matched only by her passion for supporting great music and artists.”
Alphabeats, a startup that uses music and neurofeedback technology to help athletes improve their mental performance, announced that Chief Commercial Officer and U.S. President Jorrit DeVries will become Global CEO. Current chief executive Han Dirkx, one of Alphabeat’s three co-founders along with DeVries, will move into the role of chief operating officer and lead the company’s product, R&D and technology teams based in the Netherlands. will lead the. As President of the United States, Mr. DeVries oversaw sales, marketing, product development and financing. Prior to alphabeats, he was Global Head of Category Development at Spotify. He has also held senior positions at Samsung, Vodafone and Warner Music, leading teams in the US and Europe.
Eye stain:
Jeremy Erlich Verve Label Group Promotes Jamie Crent to CEO and President and Dawn Olegger to Chief Operating Officer…Harvey Mason Jr. Isn’t Going Anywhere…Republic by Mary Katherine -Kinney named VP of Artist & Label Strategy…Alicia Arauzo and Luis Fernandez are new co-managing directors of Universal Music Spain…Jeremy Ehrlich steps down as global head of music at Spotify…and Narcisse Rebollo has been named CEO and president of UMG’s spinout Global Talent Services. (MORE) Last week’s turntable: An old friend returns to Budd.
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