September has proven a busy month, with several key music industry hires and fires.
Podcasting startup Anchor has hired Dave Altarescu as Vice President of Marketing. He previously worked at Spotify and Verizon Digital Entertainment. At Spotify, Altarescu ran Spotify’s US marketing operations. The move comes as Anchor announces $10 million in Series A funding.
Audio equipment manufacturer Prism Sound has appointed William Rowe to the position of Junior Sales Executive. He recently graduated from De Montfort University with a BSc in Audio and Recording Technology. At Prism Sound, he will be responsible for supporting the pro audio sales team and dealing with sales inquiries across the company’s entire range of products.
Warner Music UK has announced two promotions. CFO Peter Breeden will become the Chief Operating Officer. Senior Vice President of Communications, Mel Fox, has been promoted to Chief Transformation Officer. Breeden and Fox will report to Warner Music UK Chairman and CEO, Max Lousada.
The Feldman Agency has appointed Don Simpson as Chief Operating Officer. He will work closely with Chairman Sam Feldman and TFA President Jeff Craib.
After eleven years at the company, AEG Presents / Goldenvoice has announced that Rebeca Leon has left the company. She served as Senior Vice President of Latin Entertainment. Looking head, Leon will focus on her own management company, Lionfish Entertainment. Lionfish focuses on artist management, with clients Juanes and J. Balvin already on board.
Lesley Olenik, former Senior Vice President of Talent buying for theatres and arenas, has left AEG Presents / Goldenvoice. She will now work at Live Nation Entertainment as Vice President of Touring for its US concerts division.
The Fader magazine has named senior writer Rawiya Kameir as Deputy Editor. She previously worked at The Outline. In addition, the magazine has named Olivia Craighead as Associate Social Media Editor. She has experience working as a freelance writer, contributing to Buzzfeed, VICE, and Glamour.
Entertainment One (eOne) Music has announced the promotion of Michael Olsen to Executive Vice President of Music Operations, Business & Legal Affairs. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Olsen will work within eOne’s Music division on a global basis. He will continue reporting to eOne President, Chris Taylor.
Bristol-based venture Syncsmith has hired Simon Pyke to reinforce their Sound-Design division. He previously worked alongside his brother Matt Pyke at Universal Everything, a digital art and design collective.
Domino Publishing Company has hired Tavi Shabestari as Head of West Coast A&R. Previously, Shabestari worked in A&R positions at Pulse, Control Group, and BMI.
MediaLink has hired Brian Offutt as Managing Director of People and Process. At the strategic advisory firm, he will oversee the company’s executive search, organization design, and staff development. Offutt will report to MediaLink Chairman and CEO, Michael Kassan.
TASCAM has promoted former Director of Business Development, Joe Stopka, to Vice President of Sales and Business Development. In his new position, Stopka will lead TASCAM’s Sales, Marketing, and Product Marketing teams for the Americas.
French collective management organization Sacem has announced the appointment of Pascal Roche as Chief Technology Officer. He will lead the company’s technology strategy and policy as well as steer its implementation. In addition to his role, Roche will join Sacem’s Executive Committee.
LiveXLive Media has appointed Andy Schuon as President. Schuon will oversee all of the company’s divisions, including its live music lifestyle video service. In his first move as President, LivexLive acquired Slacker Radio for $50 million.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing has promoted Dan Nelson to Senior Vice President of International. He will oversee the company’s international business operations outside of the United States and the UK. Nelson has worked at Sony/ATV for over ten years.
Universal Music UK has named Stefan Demetriou as Managing Director of Globe Productions. He previously worked at Inside Pictures, a film development program.
Goldenvoice has promoted Jennifer Yacoubian as Talent Buyer at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. The company has also promoted Jennifer Liu to Yacoubian’s former position as Talent Buyer at the El Rey Theater in the Miracle Mile district. In addition, the company announced that Mapi Moran will assume the position of Director of Festival Marketing.
Ty Roberts has left Universal Music Group. He joined the company last year as Chief Technology Officer. Roberts had previously served as Chief Strategy Officer for Gracenote, an entertainment data and technology company.
The Recording Academy has announced the addition of two new members to its Advocacy Committee: Sue Ennis and Booker T. Jones. Sue Ennis will co-chair the Committee with record producer Rodney Jerkins.
Live Nation has appointed Chris Loll as the first Chief Operating Officer of Media & Sponsorship. He previously worked as COO of IPG Mediabrands. Loll will lead the company’s business operations. He will report to Live Nation Global President, Russell Wallach.
Music licensing startup Songtradr has hired Steve Celi as Vice President of Creative Services. He had previously overseen primetime shows at Fox, including American Idol and Glee. At Songtradr, Celi will lead the company’s custom music production efforts.
Artist-owned music and audio production company, YooTooCanWoo, has hired Christine Bilich as Executive Producer of Advertising and Music Supervision. Bilich was previously at Squeak E Clean and Saatchi & Saatchi, and has worked with Lulu Lemon, Realtor.com, and NatGeo, among others. The hire comes as the Brooklyn-based company celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Image by Jesús Corrius (CC by 2.0)