Welcome to the newest spin ’around the Govt Turntable, Billboard’s complete(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all issues in between — throughout music.
We’ve seen the departure of Spotify’s international head of music and a altering of the guard at Verve, however in any other case it’s been a reasonably quiet week. Learn on for [mostly] excellent news and in addition take a look at Billboard‘s just-released annual listing of Latin music’s strongest executives, plus our weekly interview collection spotlighting a single government, our useful calendar of notable occasions, and have you ever ever wished to take a look at tchotchkes contained in the workplace of an government whereas studying their in-depth solutions to crucial questions dealing with the biz? From the Desk Of might be your jam.
Aric Steinberg has been elevated to government director of Candy Aid Musicians Fund, the 30-year-old non-profit that delivers a lifeline to musicians and trade varieties dealing with monetary hardships as a result of sickness, disabilities or different challenges. Based by folks singer-songwriter Victoria Williams in 1994 following the discharge of a star-studded profit album on her behalf, the charity gives monetary help to artists, composers, highway crew, brokers and others within the type of grants to cowl important bills starting from medical payments to housing and meals. The LA-based Steinberg joined Candy Aid in 2010 and most just lately served as government vp of growth and artist relations, although he has been primarily filling the function because the 2017 passing of former director Rob Max. “It’s lengthy overdue that in 2024 we’re formally giving Aric the title of government director … as he has been embodying that place for a few years now,” famous fund president Invoice Bennett. “I look ahead to a unprecedented future with Aric the place Candy Aid will proceed to assist increasingly musicians and music trade employees in want.”
Candy Aid has assisted a variety of artists over time, most just lately Sick of It All frontman Lou Koller and singer-songwriter Jesse Malin — who each have profit live shows deliberate for them later this 12 months. “I see a vivid future for Candy Aid as we proceed to develop and assist extra musicians and music trade professionals yearly,” mentioned Steinberg. “This thirtieth anniversary 12 months has been our greatest ever, and I look ahead to serving the group within the years to return.”
In the meantime…
Alen Torosyan is promoted to normal supervisor of Warner Music Rising Markets, efficient Oct. 1, whereas Jonathan Jules has joined as vice chairman of artistic. Each will report back to Alfonso Perez Soto, president of rising markets. This division is residence to artists together with Calin, Diljit Dosanjh and Joeboy, and covers quickly rising areas corresponding to Africa, Japanese Europe, India, and the Center East, which have expanded via strategic investments and partnerships. Torosyan, with over a decade at Warner Music, was beforehand vp of operations for the division. Jules, previously vp of worldwide advertising and operations at EMPIRE, will now drive strategic management to WMEM’s A&R and advertising groups. Perez Soto praised Torosyan’s “unflappable” capacity to multitask and perform detail-oriented tasks “with out shedding his forensic give attention to element,” and lauded Jules’ entrepreneurial drive and “capacity to learn the shifting sands of tradition and music, anticipating tomorrow’s tendencies.” Perez Soto added: “Collectively, they’ll assist us superserve artists and quickly develop our enterprise.”
Sony Music Publishing employed Caroline Elleray as vice chairman of artistic, songwriter companies, efficient instantly. On this function, Elleray will lead efforts to assist songwriters, handle catalogs and collaborate with international artistic groups to discover new progress alternatives. The London-based Elleray experiences to co-managing administrators Tim Main and David Ventura. With over twenty years of expertise in music publishing, together with earlier stints at UMPG and BMG, she has found and developed artists like Coldplay, Keane, Feist, Rex Orange County and Mumford & Sons. Alongside her new function at SMP, Elleray will proceed managing Second Songs, a publishing and administration enterprise she co-founded in 2022 with Mark Gale. Second Songs, in partnership with SMP UK, represents abilities like Victoria Canal and songwriters Matt Hales and Dan Inexperienced. “Her observe file, the songwriters and artists she has labored with communicate for themselves, showcasing her immense and relentless dedication for music creators,” mentioned Ventura, who can also be SMP UK’s president and svp of worldwide.
Nashville-based file label New West Information promoted Tommy Robinson to normal supervisor and vp of gross sales, whereas Brady Block was boosted to senior vp of media and reissues producer. Katie Keller has been upped to vp of challenge administration, whereas Meg Barron rises to director of A&R and publishing. Brooke Nixon joins as vp of digital advertising, following a task as director of streaming at Huge Machine Label Group imprint The Valory Music Co. New West’s present roster contains Aaron Lee Tasjan, 49 Winchester, Ben Folds, American Aquarium and extra. –Jessica Nicholson
Common Music Finland appointed veteran government Petri Mannonen to CEO, efficient instantly. Mannonen joined UMG in 2010 as a industrial director and in 2017 expanded his obligations to incorporate overseeing operations within the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Previous to Common, he was CEO of Viasat Finland (now Viaplay), a pay tv firm. The UMF roster contains KUUMAA, Mirella and Robin Packale, amongst others. “The Finnish music market is in a extremely attention-grabbing state of affairs in the intervening time,” mentioned Mannonen. “Music is now simpler to launch than ever, and because the choice grows, the function of main file labels can also be emphasised. Our job is to give attention to constructing long-term artist careers whereas caring for artists. We need to supply our present and future artists a artistic {and professional} place to develop and develop whereas ensuring that their music reaches the best audiences.”
FUGA, the Downtown-owned B2B music distributor, promoted Renato Vanzella to normal supervisor of LATAM, increasing his earlier function as GM of Brazil to supervise operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. Vanzella will give attention to enterprise growth, shopper relations, and partnerships with DSPs, reporting to Sarah Landy, the senior vp for the Americas. Since becoming a member of FUGA in 2019, Vanzella has considerably grown the crew and secured key shoppers, together with Elemess, MJC Music, Beeside Information, and Radar Information. Landy praised Renato Vanzella’s promotion, highlighting his “distinctive strategic imaginative and prescient and management” over time. “Renato constantly has demonstrated a deep understanding of the native music panorama, and his ardour for collaboration and shopper service has earned him the respect of our crew and our companions,” she mentioned.
Armada Music appointed Susanne Hazendonk as head of catalog, bringing over 15 years of trade expertise from Spinnin’ Information and Warner Music Benelux. Having labored with prime dance artists corresponding to Lucas & Steve, Sam Feldt and Afrojack, in addition to hitmakers like Bruno Mars and The Purple Scorching Chili Peppers, Hazendonk is well-versed in each dance music and large ol’ hits. She’ll report on to COO Jop Bonnike, main advertising and storytelling efforts and overseeing the enlargement of Armada’s catalog division and acquisitions via the BEAT Music Fund. Bonnike reward Hazendonk’s “unwavering ardour and infectious enthusiasm for dance music, including, “As we proceed to prioritize the expansion and evolution of our catalog division, we’re trying ahead to working alongside Susanne to grab new alternatives out there.”
Huge Loud Rock added Zach Siegal-Eisman as vice chairman of digital and viral advertising, overseeing the imprint’s digital advertising technique and execution, in addition to artist progress and digital presence of each upcoming and catalog file releases. Earlier this 12 months, Siegal-Eisman launched the advertising consultancy Amplify Legacy and beforehand labored at social media company Crowd Surf and at Artist Community Administration. –J.N.
BOARD SHORTS: The Music Managers Discussion board appointed Niamh Byrne as chair and Jill Hollywood as vice chair, succeeding Paul Craig and Kwame Kwaten, respectively, who just lately stepped down after serving two three-year phrases. Byrne, co-founder of Eleven Administration, has made a mark with artists together with Damon Albarn, Blur and Gorillaz. She brings a wealth of expertise, having held roles at Common Music UK and her consultancy agency The Engine Room. Hollywood, founding father of Echo Seaside Administration, has managed each legendary producers and rising abilities, together with present roster Jacknife Lee, Ash Howes and Ash Workman. Hollywood beforehand spent over a decade at Huge Life Administration. MMF additionally mentioned that Principle Administration’s Disguise Whone is becoming a member of the board, changing Clare Wright … Newport People launched the Newport People Stewardship Program, designed to acknowledge people who’ve considerably contributed to Newport’s legacy and problem the “People Household” to innovate for the long run. The primary appointee is St. Louis-born Americana artist Nathaniel Rateliff, who’ll give attention to artist advocacy, mentorship and fellowship, each throughout the Newport People group and past. He’ll serve a three-year time period, with two years as an energetic steward and one as an advisor to his successor.
Nettwerk welcomed Ruth Wyatt as director of sync for UK and Europe, bringing her expertise from Warner Music UK, the place she efficiently positioned artists in numerous sync alternatives. Her notable achievements embrace Sam Ryder’s “Christmas To Me.” Wyatt mentioned she’s trying ahead to serving to Community construct out its sync alternatives throughout the UK and Europe, including, “It’s by no means been a extra thrilling time to be within the sync house, with extra productions being made than ever earlier than and we’re witnessing breakout productions from the Nordics, Spain, Germany, France Australia, all of that are attracting overwhelmingly worldwide audiences, subsequently creating international impression for our artists.” Nettwerk co-founder Mark Jowett, mentioned Wyatt’s “experience in attaining syncs is matched solely by her ardour for supporting nice music and artists.”
Alphabeats, a startup utilizing music and neurofeedback tech to assist athletes enhance psychological acuity, introduced that chief industrial officer and U.S. president Jorrit DeVries will assume the function of worldwide CEO. Present chief Han Dirkx, one among alphabeats’ three co-founders together with DeVries, will transfer into the function of chief working officer and lead the corporate’s product, analysis and growth, and know-how groups primarily based in The Netherlands. As U.S. president, DeVries has overseen gross sales, advertising, product growth and fundraising. Previous to becoming a member of alphabeats, he was international head of class growth at Spotify, and he has additionally held senior roles at Samsung, Vodafone and Warner Music, main groups within the U.S. and Europe.