TuneCore poaches a key executive from Viacom.
Neil Bhay will serve as Vice President of Technology at TuneCore. He joins from Viacom, where he served as Vice President of Technology.
VEVO confirms a key appointment.
Bryon Schafer will serve as Senior Vice President of Research at Vevo. Based in Los Angeles, he’ll lead the company’s efforts in audience and advertiser research along with consumer and artist insights.
Symphonic Distribution makes three key hires.
AJ Alvarez will serve as Director of Client Marketing and Playlist Promotion at Symphonic Distribution. She previously served as Digital Sales Manager at VP Music Group.
Teddy Tutson will serve as Director of Video Strategy. He previously served as Manager of Digital Video and Audience Development at Fuse Media.
Jon Mizrachi will serve as Senior Director of Sync Licensing. He previously served as Creative Director at Carlin America.
Warner Bros. Records has a new top executive.
Aaron Bay-Schuck will start serving as Co-Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Records. The move comes a year after he was hired for the position. Bay-Schuck previously served as President of A&R at Interscope-Geffen-A&M Records.
Pulse Music announces a key promotion.
Joe Poindexter will serve as Senior Vice President of Digital at Pulse Music Group. He previously served as Vice President of Digital and joined the company in 2012.
Intercept Music announces a new Brand Ambassador.
Social media marketing platform Intercept Music has signed Larry Blackwell as Brand Ambassador in the Gospel genre. He has previously served as Vice President and General Manager of EMI/Motown Gospel. Blackwell will drive the adoption of Intercept’s marketing platform.
Exactuals appoints a new senior executive.
Andrew Mauritzen will now serve as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Insurance Industry at Exactuals, a service offering payment management software for the music industry. He’ll spearhead the company’s entry into the insurance market. Mauritzen will adapt Exactuals’ in-class payment and royalty technology to streamline insurance commissions, refunds, and claims payments. He’ll also establish partnerships with insurance carriers and brokerage.
Top music industry veteran embarks on an architectural venture.
Per Architects Journal, Rob Dickins, former Chairman of Warner Bros. Music, will serve as the new Chair of RIBA’s British Architectural Trust Board (BATB). The move comes two years after journalist John Tusa stepped down. The BATB oversees RIBA’s architectural collections, public, and cultural programming.
Island Records confirms a key appointment.
LaTrice Burnette has joined Island Records, serving as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Based in New York City, the veteran music marketing and artist development executive will report to Darcus Beese, President of Island Records.
PPL loses a key member.
In an e-mail to friends and colleagues, Clive Drew, Public Relations Manager at PPL, has confirmed he has left the company. He’ll now work as a self-employed PR, comms, and music consultant.
Sound Royalties welcomes a new top executive.
Michael Bizenov will serve as President of Sound Royalties, a music industry specialty finance firm. He’ll lead the firm’s future growth plans. Bizenov previously served as a consultant for UBS and Litchfield Road Consulting, providing Senior Advisory Support.
Prodiss confirms a key appointment.
The French live music industry association has named Olivier Darbois as President. He succeeds Luc Gaurichon and will serve a three-year term.
UMG Nashville announces a key promotion.
Royce Risser will now serve as Executive Vice President of Promotion for Universal Music Group (UMG) Nashville. He’ll oversee radio promotion initiatives for the label group’s artist roster. Risser first joined UMG Nashville in 1993, serving as Promotion Assistance at MCA.
UK Live Music Group confirms a new Chair.
Greg Parmley has been named the new Chair of UK Live Music Group’s Board. He takes over for Paul Latham, the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Live Nation UK, who retired last month after 34 years.
Venues Today reportedly loses its founder.
Per Amplify, Linda Deckard has left Venues Today, the magazine she founded in 2003. According to sources speaking with Amplify, her name has also been removed from the Venues Today website. Deckard sold the magazine to Oak View Group in 2016.
Featured image by TuneCore.