It's time for another spin around Executive turntable, Billboard's comprehensive(ish) rundown of promotions, hires, departures and firings — and everything in between — across music. We also have a weekly interview series featuring an executive if that's your thing.
Sony Halla technology concert venue in midtown Manhattan, introduced a new booking team comprised of senior talent buyers Jack McFaddentalent buyer Ali Vega and small talent buyer Nico Murray. McFadden's career spans three cities—Chicago, New York, and Austin—and several venues and festivals (Union Hall, Austin City Limits, and more) where he helped close early shows for a slew of indie rock acts, including The National, The Walkman, St. Vincent, Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend, among others. Not to be outdone, Vega spent years closing out DC Songbyrd and DC9 venues before moving to New York, where she joined the team at Bowery Presents. Murray, meanwhile, hails from NYU and has already cultivated experience at Cara Lewis Group and Sony Music. Blue Note Entertainment Group operates Sony Hall, which officially opened in 2018 but began life in 1938 as the legendary Diamond Horseshoe nightclub. The venue, which retains much of its original design and decor while incorporating the latest Sony technology, is located within the historic Paramount Hotel.
“This is an exciting time for Sony Hall and Blue Note Entertainment Group as we strengthen and strengthen our booking program, further introducing this iconic New York venue to the live music industry,” said BNEG President Steven Bensusan. “Jack, Ali and Nico bring diverse and diverse industry backgrounds to complement and enrich our talent acquisition team.”
In the meantime…
Loeb & Loeb employee Monica Tasman in the company's Nashville office, as an associate in the entertainment department. Tashman joins Loeb & Loeb from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. Her expertise includes representing musical talent in genres ranging from rock, pop, reggae, bachata and metalcore, as well as representing record labels, entertainment-focused businesses and music production companies. She will also continue to practice in New York out of Loeb's Nashville office. –Jessica Nicholson
Galaxy tag team, founded by country duo LOCASH, has bolstered its promotion team by hiring four. Joining the label, a partnership with Studio2Bee Entertainment distributed by BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, is Kerry Wolf as vice president of promotion, Cheryl Brose as head of national field promotion, Kristen Brust to manage national promotion strategies and John Lessard — who is LOCASH's tour manager — lends his expertise on GLG's promotion and tours. All new hires are effective immediately. LOCASH, consisting of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, is Galaxy's first signed act.
BMI are promoted Gabriella Natalie to senior media relations manager, a senior role in which she will continue to spearhead PR efforts across most genres of music (we're talking pop, rock, hip-hop, gospel, classical, jazz and more). Natali is based out of BMI's headquarters in New York and reports directly to Jodie Thomas, PRO's executive director of corporate communications and media relations. In addition to working on messaging for numerous events, including the various BMI Awards, songwriter showcases, and special stages at festivals like Lollapalooza and SXSW, Natali works with Thomas on PR efforts for the Licensing and Industry Relations departments. of BMI. Before joining BMI in April 2022 as media relations manager, Natali spent two years as a journalist at boutique agency Big Picture Media, also in New York.
Lucy Pullin and Virgil Thomas they joined UTA as agents in its music crossover division, which works with clients on projects that extend their careers into other media. Pullin, formerly ie: entertainment ltd, will be based out of the London office and Thomas, an Endeavor alum, is based in Los Angeles. Recent wins from the crossover department include Post Malone's dive into acting (Motel) and comic book writing, and Recording Academy head Harvey Mason Jr. is behind the scenes working on biopics about Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Opry Entertainment Group are promoted Anna Leme to the marketing manager for the Grand Ole Opry. In the new role, the Massachusetts native will plan marketing and promotional strategies to continue to grow the Grand Ole Opry brand. Lemme has been with the company for five years, most recently as an artist and director of strategy for the Opry Entertainment Group… Leadership music communications and events manager Lindsay Doheney will be leaving the position on May 28 to join her husband on a work-related relocation. The agency is looking for a replacement for Doheney… Group Projects most welcome Emma Kiefer as director of A&R, working closely with co-founders Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett on publishing and management. She most recently served as A&R manager at Boom Music Group.
Accountant strengthened its presence in Nashville by adding eight attorneys to its Music City office — “a vibrant and dynamic legal market,” said Adam Bass, the firm's president and CEO. Join Buchalter Lauren Spahn, Jay Bowen and Lauren Kilgoreby Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley and Norton, with Rebecca Shulman, Jim Zumwalt, Jacob Clabo, Aaron Steinberg and John Baxter. The Laurens are regulars Advertising signThe annual list of top music lawyers both handle a wide range of legal and business transactional matters for artists, publishers, writers, labels and more. Shulman, Steinberg, Clabo and Baxter specialize in intellectual property matters, while Bowen's expertise is in litigation. Finally, Zumwalt represents entertainment clients in a variety of matters. “Jay, Lauren and Lauren, along with their teams bring a wealth of experience, expertise and dedication to our company,” said Bass. “Together, we are poised to make a significant impact on Nashville's legal landscape and beyond.”
Dom Wallace is the new director of label and marketing at Mahogany, where he will oversee the release strategy of its label Mahogany Records and its flagship video channel, Mahogany Sessions. His appointment coincides with the launch of Mahogany Songs, the company's new digital distribution and services platform. Wallace was most recently a senior editor at Spotify, where he helped launch several flavor playlists, including “Our Generation” and “Fresh Finds UK & IE.”
GAME TIME: Industry veteran Kimberly Knoller is the new head of marketing at Win Alliance, where he will lead the platform's mission to connect players to games, build fandoms and engage communities. Over the past 14 years, Knoller has built her own music and technology marketing agency, The Knoller Group, where she has worked with artists, creators, labels and other companies on branding and revenue generation strategies. Knoller then spent three years at Warner Records, where she held a top job as vice president of marketing, e-commerce and innovation. He has also uploaded roles at UnPaired and studio PIXELYNX… Metaverse Cardthat creates experiential in-game marketing in Fortnite, Roblox and other games, hired Morgan Evans as the new fashion and beauty director, and Sarah Richards as art director.
ICYMI:
Jared Cotter
