It's time for another pivot around the Executive turntableBillboard's comprehensive(ish) rundown of promotions, hires, departures and firings — and everything in between — across music.
BMGits longtime communicator extraordinaire Steve Redmond departs later this month after twelve years with the Berlin-based music giant. Redmond began consulting for BMG in 2012 from his native London, before decamping to Germany four years later to officially join the company as senior vice president of global corporate communications. He was elevated to GCC Evp in 2021 and over the years has helped shape the company's image and strategic messaging through countless signings, acquisitions, global initiatives and, most recently, the transition to new CEO Thomas Coesfeld following the departure of the founder director Hartwig Masuch. . Redmond got his start in music in the 90s, first as editor and then publisher of the Music Week magazine group. He later worked for four years as director of communications and development at UK trade label organization BPI before embarking on a career as a consultant which eventually led him to BMG.
“Steve Redmond has been instrumental for more than a decade in helping to define BMG as a new kind of music company,” said Coesfeld, who will take over from Masuch in 2023. “More recently, over the past few months, he has provided excellent advice for the media and support to the BMG board.”
Redmond, whose successor will be announced shortly, added that “as BMG enters a new phase and the entertainment industry more broadly enters a new chapter, this is an ideal time to move forward.”
In the meantime…
Twenty years and 12 titles later, Joe Verbrugge is to retire as SiriusXMits chief commercial officer this summer. The satellite radio giant said in an SEC filing this week that the executive will step down on June 27, when his current contract expires, and that the decision “is not the result of any dispute or dispute with us.” Verbrugge, who is based in New York, joined XM Radio in September 2004 as vice president of special projects and rose to svp of automated partnerships by the time XM merged with Sirius in mid-2008. She has since risen to evp of sales. , evp & GM of emerging businesses, evp & division president and evp of digital subscriptions before taking over as CCO in June 2022. Prior to joining XM, he was a senior partner at The Dealy Strategy Group in Washington, D.C. Around the time of that promotion, he also joined on Stride's board of directors.
Credit: Nae Lane
Island Records are promoted Jenny Gorotiza to vp of marketing at the UMG label. Gorotiza, who joined Island in 2021 as senior director of marketing, is based in New York and will continue to spearhead campaigns for artists including Lauren Spencer Smith, Shawn Mendes, Jessie Reyez and others. “Jenny is part of the founding Island Records team at a critical time for our label,” said Jay Schumer, Evp and Head of Marketing and Business Development. “We couldn't be more excited to recognize her passion and tenacity in driving A-level campaigns for our artists.” Gorotiza got her start in music as an intern at Island Def Jam and later worked at 12Tone Music Group before rejoining the Island family.
Concord restructured the data flow and analysis team, naming Brad Clark as senior vice president of data streaming and analytics, and Kristen Reed as vp of data analytics and research. Clarke will report to newly appointed Concord Label Group CEO Tom Beckie, with Reid reporting to Clarke. Clark previously spent more than two decades at Universal Music Group, managing revenue, data and merchandising. Reed previously served six years in data analysis and research at Universal Music Group. –Jessica Nicholson
Kim Noltemy leaves it Dallas Symphony to become its president Los Angeles Philharmonic. Beginning in July, Noltemy will be tasked with finding a replacement for LA Phil music director Gustavo Dudamel, who is heading east to become MD of the New York Philharmonic. Noltemy, also a veteran of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has been with the Dallas Symphony since 2018.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Black River most welcome Lizzie Green to the team in the newly created position of digital marketing director. The Nashville-based professional will focus her efforts on developing and executing digital strategies to enhance the careers of Black River artists. Greene's priorities include Beautiful Digital, Crowdsurf and TikTok. Her cab can be reached at lgreene@blackriverent.com… SoNash Publishing it is now Ace High Music — and with a new name welcomes the creative company Chris Poole as a partner and artist publishing and development manager. Poole arrives from BMG, where he rose to senior director of A&R over a five-year period. He can be reached at poole@acehighmusic.com… Kellie LaJack they joined Black River as director of Northeast promotion, based in Nashville. The 10-year vet was most recently at 16Camino as senior director of promotions and marketing.
Starting a music community We are a Giant appointed Meta and Reddit veteran Andy Young as executive chairman of the board, effective immediately. WAG also marked their continued expansion with his addition Kelly Duroncelet as business development and Dashin Barnes as head of marketing. “Andy, Kelly and Dasean have been impressive players in the technology and music space, and as such, have helped elevate and scale some of today's best-known platforms,” said CEO Andy Apple. “Their diverse career backgrounds and deep experience will help shape We Are Giant as we continue to grow, build strong and sustainable communities, and help our artists build successful careers.”
SphereTrax employee Helen Wiltshire as head of synchronization, sales and marketing of the music licensing market, two years old. Wiltshire was most recently the international sync director at Warner Chappell Music, where she worked to secure deals with major artists (Radiohead, George Michael, Stormzy, etc.) and brands (Facebook, FIFA, LEGO, and more). At SphereTrax, founded by composer and sound designer Sefi Carmel, Wiltshire is charged with assembling and promoting the gallery of original soundtracks and songs across film, television, gaming and other creative outlets. “Enabling and championing creativity is at the heart of what we do,” he said. “I want to make sure music buyers and licensors are as engaged with this as our amazing community of musicians.”
TABLE SHORTS: Bart Friedman resigned his presidency Projects & Processan independent, New York-based nonprofit that champions performing artists and their creative process from studio to stage. Stephen Kroll Reidy succeeds Friedman, who has held the role since 2008… The Collective Licensing of Mechanics wants your picks for publisher candidates to join the board. There are two positions on the board for publisher representatives. MLC has six committee editor positions open. Submit your nominations here… Peloton shakes up its board of directors.
Diana Garcia they joined Brown Sellers Brown as director of stream relations and director of marketing. During her career, Garcia has worked on marketing strategies for a number of artists and brands including Madonna, Kanye West, Dolly Parton, Conagra Foods and Wrangler. At BSB, he will manage DSP campaigns and relationships across the company's two record labels: Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records. “Diana brings a very high level of passion, enthusiasm and expertise to our team,” said partner Benny Brown. Garcia can be reached at diana@brownsellersbrown.com.
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Ana Martinez
