Republic Records announces a promotion.
Marleny Dominguez-Reyes will now serve as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Republic Records. She previously served as Vice President of Urban at eOne Music. Dominguez-Reyes joined Republic in 2014.
Def Jam adds a key executive.
Christian Castro will serve as Director of Label Catalog at Def Jam Records. He previously served as Director of Online Marketing for ADA Worldwide and Asylum Records at Warner Music Group (WMG). Castro will work with the label’s marketing departments. He’ll also work with artists and managers to develop and deliver effective partner and programmer promotions for streaming services, digital service providers, and physical retail, and execute marketing campaigns to maximize potential revenue streams and market share.
Music Support confirms a key appointment.
Eric Mtungwazi will serve as Managing Director at Music Support, a mental health charity for the British music industry. He’ll manage all aspects of the charity’s core services, staff, volunteers, and day-to-day business activities. Mtungwazi previously served as Program Director at City Year UK, a youth-oriented social action and education charity.
CMG’s Caroline ups a key executive.
Brandy Contreras will serve as Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations at Caroline, the indie distribution and label services division of Capitol Music Group (CMG). In the newly created role, she’ll strengthen and bring enhancement to Caroline’s infrastructure. This includes streamlining administrative and communication processes with staff, artist and label partners, and CMG management. Based in Hollywood, Contreras will also work closely with Caroline President Jacqueline Saturn and Executive Vice President Matt Sawin on strategic planning and alliances with Caroline International’s 11 global offices.
Recording Academy loses yet another top executive.
Neda Azarfar has resigned as Vice President of Marketing Communications at the Recording Academy. She’ll stay on to serve as a consultant until the end of 2018. Azarfar had joined the Recording Academy from MySpace in 2014. The move follows Neil Portnow’s high-profile exit scheduled for July 2019. Azarfar will pursue philanthropic work after leaving the Recording Academy.
Veteran LA DJ returns to the airwaves.
Gary Calamar, longtime DJ and music supervisor at KCRW, will serve at KCSN (88.5 FM), a Triple-A station. The 5-time Grammy Award nominee left KCRW after 25 years. Calamar’s new show will debut from 5 to 7 p.m this Sunday.
X5 Music makes a top appointment.
Stefan Enberg will serve as the CEO of X5 Music. Based in Stockholm, the company co-founder previously served as Chief Operating Officer. Acquired by Warner Music Group in 2016, X5 Music compiles deep catalog and specific genres of music to create playlists, streaming, and download products. X5 Music also signs artists and repertoire, and commissions music for specialist playlists and releases. Enberg will report to Dirk Ewald, Senior Vice President of Global Catalog Management at Warner Music.
Position Music confirms a new promotion.
Mark Chipello will now serve as Vice President of A&R and Artist Development at Position Music. Joining the company in 2011, he signed, developed, and managed artists including Welshy Arms, Tyrone Wells, Judah & The Lion, and Royal Deluxe. Chipello oversees and guides Position Music’s A&R staff as well as garnering record and publishing deals for company talent.
Former major label executive joins FBMM.
Paul Barnebee will serve as a senior staffer at Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, a business and financial management firm in Nashville. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sony Music and its three imprints – RCA, Columbia, and Arista Nashville.
Tappit poaches a key executive from Eventbrite.
Duco Smit will serve as Chief Commercial Officer of Tappit, an RFID and cashless payment company. Based in Holland, he’ll lead the company’s international expansion plans and grow Tappit’s roster of cashless music festivals, events, and venues. Smit previously served as Director of Business Development at Eventbrite and also served at Ticketscript.
Elektra Music Group reveals its leadership team.
Adam Abramson will serve as Head of Sales and Streaming at Elektra Music Group, Warner’s newly launched standalone label group.
Chris Brown will serve as Head of Marketing.
Tim Davideit will serve as Head of Digital Marketing.
Anne Declemente will serve as Head of A&R Admin.
Cathy Donovan will serve as Head of Label Operations.
Annie Flook will serve as Head of Tour Marketing.
Glenn Fukushima will serve as Head of Publicity.
Ana Lenuzza Ross will serve as Head of Film, TV, & Video Game Licensing.
Mandee Mallone will serve as Head of Video Production.
Margo Scott will serve as Head of Business and Legal Affairs.
Suzy Yoder will serve as Head of DSP and Video Promotion.
They’ll report to Mike Easterlin and Gregg Nadel, Co-Presidents of Elektra Music Group. Easterlin and Nadel report to Craig Kallman, Atlantic Records Group Chairman and CEO, as well as Julie Greenwald, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer.
Elektra Music Group includes Elektra, Black Cement Records, Fueled by Ramen (FBR), Low Country Sound, and Roadrunner. The label’s roster includes Twenty One Pilots, Slipknot, Panic at the Disco, and others.
Lemonade poaches a top Spotify executive.
Jorge Espinel will serve as Chief Business Development Officer at Lemonade, a renters and homeowners’ insurance company. He previously served as Head of Global Business Development at Spotify for 5 years. Espinel will report to Daniel Schreiber, Lemonade CEO and Co-founder.
PledgeMusic loses its chief executive.
Dominic Pandiscia has stepped down as CEO of PledgeMusic, a beleaguered music crowdfunding and pre-sale platform. He will restart Sunday Artists, his media consultant business. The company has reportedly failed to pay artists for more than 100 days.
Ticketmaster confirms a new hire.
Tawn Albright will serve as Executive Vice President and Head of Middle Market at Ticketmaster. He’ll lead the growth and expansion of Ticketweb and Universe. Albright previously served at Leaf Group and co-founded Rockhouse Partners. He’ll report to Ticketmaster President, Jared Smith.
Featured image by Republic Records.