The music industry started off this month with a slew of hires, fires, promotions, retires, and acqui-hires. Here’s the lowdown.
Citi has appointed Jennifer Breithaupt as its Global Consumer Chief Marketing Officer. She’ll craft campaigns that differentiate Citi’s card products. Breithaupt will also partner with Global Branding and Sponsorships to enhance Citi’s brand positioning. She joined the bank in 1999 and previously served as Managing Director, Media, Advertising, and Global Entertainment. Breithaupt helped build City’s entertainment program.
Paradigm named Chris Burke as Head of Corporate and Special Events, Music. He previously worked at WME-IMG, where he worked in multiple genres of music with artists including Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett, John Legend, and others.
Nick Barnes left management firm Q Prime to join United Talent Agency. Based in the agency’s Nashville office, Barnes will serve as a Digital Strategy Agent. He’ll help to build and execute digital and direct-to-audiences strategies for UTA’s clients. He previously worked at Sony Music Nashville as manager of Digital Marketing. At Arista Records, he worked with artists such as Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.
BMG has promoted Keith Hauprich to its most senior legal and business affairs role in North America. As General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, North America, Hauprich will report directly to BMG US President Zach Katz. He’ll be based out of New York. Hauprich previously served as Deputy General Counsel at BMG.
RealNetworks has appointed Cary Baker as its new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Baker will oversee all financial operations at RealNetworks and report directly to Chairman and CEO Rob Glaser. He previously worked with HEAT Software as Chief Financial Officer. Baker brings an extensive background in financial management and strategic planning. He succeeds Marjorie Thomas, who left the company who will become Chief Financial Officer at the Allen Institute for Brain and Cell Sciences.
Spotify has hired IFPI veteran Olivia Regnier as its new Legal Director in EU Regulatory Affairs. She left the IFPI’s European Regional Office after twenty years. Among the company’s recent departures, Francis Keeling, Spotify’s VP and Global Head of Licensing has left the company.
Standout lawyer Petra Hansson, one of the company’s longest-serving executives, has also quit the company after ten years. Hansson and Keeling add to the already-long list of Spotify executives who have resigned this year. Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Levick, Content Chief Ken Parks, EMEA sales boss Jonathan Forster, and Label Relations head Steve Savoca have left the company.
Elsewhere in the music industry, UK Music has appointed Michael Dugher as its new Chief Executive. The outgoing MP was the former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport. Dugher announced his intention to step down from his political role earlier this month. He worked for the Labour movement during the past twenty years. Dugher will replace Jo Dipple.
Ex-Music Week publisher Dave Roberts has joined Music Business Worldwide. At Music Week, he led the transformation of the UK trade title into a widely-read success. At MBW, Roberts will work on editorial and business development at MBW. He’ll help enhance and add to MBW’s brand extensions, including its recently-launched Music Business Jobs platform.
Veteran agent Richard Mills will leave The Feldman Agency. In a lengthy Facebook post, Mills explained that he would make “a pivot into another creative venture.” However, he would first take a break to spend time with his family and also travel.
Multi-Platinum and Grammy Award-winning hit songwriter Hillary Lindsey has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Rezonant Music Publishing and BMG. The agreement covers Lindsey’s Peerless catalog as well as future compositions. She previously received her fifth nomination at the 2017 Grammy Awards for Keith Urban’s ‘Blue Ain’t Your Color.’ Lindsey was also nominated for ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Songwriter of the Year’ at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards.
ArenaNetwork promoted Natalie Caplan to the position of Vice President of Entertainment. She began her career at the company fourteen months ago. She assumes Tina Suca’s former position. Suca left the company to take a new position with Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, Los Angeles. ArenaNetwork has also hired Denise Gonzales as Director of Entertainment for the company. She previously worked as Project Manager of Touring for the past six years. Gonzalez dealt with agents, managers, and Live Nation promoters in booking and routing tours.
Kobalt Music Group founder and CEO Willard Ahdritz announced a series of shakeups and promotions within the company. President and Chief Revenue Officer Richard Sanders will leave the company. Laurent Hubert, head of the independent music services organization’s platform and investments team, will take over for Sanders. Kobalt also promoted sixteen-year employee Sas Metcalfe to Chief Creative Officer. Lonny Olinick will serve as Chief Strategy Officer. Longtime human resources executive Marissa Mencher will become the new ‘Chief People Officer’. Jeannette Perez, who first joined Kobalt in 2014, is now the President of Synch and Brand Partnerships. Alison Donald, former co-president of Columbia Records UK, will take on a new role as the head of Creative UK with Kobalt Music Recordings. Kevin Lane joined Kobalt as Director, Creative in the publishing department.
BMG has elevated Daniel Lee to VP Creative, BMG Nashville. He’ll continue reporting to Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville. Lee will oversee a dynamic roster of domestic and international hit songwriters. He first joined BMG in 2012, and had previously relocated to Nashville in 2005. Lee will focus on acquiring and developing talent. He’ll also work with BMG songwriters including Hillary Lindsey, busbee, Brett Beavers, Jim McCormick, Dave Barnes, and Jonny Price. Lee will report to Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville.
Polyvinyl Records named Rob Wilcox as its Promotions Director. He’ll oversee all aspects of Publicity, Radio Promotion, and Tour Marketing. Wilcox previously worked Concord Music Group as Head of College & Specialty Promotion and Northeast Regional. At The Syndicate, he served as Director of Radio Promotion. At WXPN/Philadelphia World Café program, Wilcox worked as a Production Assistant.
Interscope Geffen A&M has promoted Joie Manda to Executive Vice President. Manda has worked with the label since 2013. He previously served as President of Urban Music for Interscope Records. At Interscope Geffen A&M, Manda will report to Chairman and CEO John Janick.
Sony Music Masterworks hired Drew Thurlow as Senior Vice President of A&R. He’ll lead all A&R activities for the company’s labels, including OKeh imprints, Masterworks and Portrait.
UK Music has assigned the election of six new metro mayors. They’ll engage in the process of planning and licensing to support music strategy and music tourism. The elected include long-time UK Music advocates Andy Burnham and Rotheram. UK Music hopes to increase the music scene and improve the music sector in each region.
Branded Entertainment Network named Nell Mulderry as Senior Director, Client Development of Greenlight. Mulderry previously worked as Director of Market Development at Angel & Blue Note Records. She was also the owner of Boss Sounds from 2005 to 2017.
Warner Bros. Records has hired Carlos Ogando as its Senior National Urban & Rhythm Promotion Director. He previously worked in Mixshow Promotion from 2006 to 2012. Ogando began his career in the rap department at Interscope Records fourteen years ago. He’ll be based in New York and will report to Lee L’Heureux, Senior VP of Rhythm, Urban & Hip-Hop Promotion & Strategy.
French advertising agency Rupture has signed a distribution deal with Sony Music for their recently-launched record label. In France, Sony Music will distribute Rupture Records releases. The Orchard will distribute releases internationally. Alexandre Sap founded Rupture earlier this year.
Back in the US, iHeartMedia Denver appointed Kelly Ransford as Director of Event Marketing. She will spearhead iHeartMedia Denver’s multiple events throughout the year. Ransford will work closely with Region SVP of Sales Ryan Clune on sponsorships and revenue opportunities. She was previously MD of WXRT/Chicago.
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