It's time for another 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 a single executive and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry faces we've lost over the year.
ByteDance has hired former Warner Bros. lawyer John Rogovin as the new global general counsel of the Chinese company, effective immediately. He reports directly to Liang Rubo, CEO of ByteDance. The role includes supervision Tik Tokwhich has very is currently ongoing. Rogovin's arrival comes as TikTok and ByteDance are embroiled in a monumental battle with the United States government after legislation was passed requiring the parent company to sell the app or face a national ban. In early May, the company filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the law, calling it an “unconstitutional” action aimed at “silencing” the more than 170 million Americans who use TikTok. TikTok chief Shou Chew rightly said Rogovin's arrival comes at an “important time” for the company. Rogovin, who spent time at both the FCC and DOJ earlier in his career before a 14-year stint at WB, added that he looks forward to “helping ensure that our platforms continue to provide a critical forum for more than two billion users in around the world to entertain, teach and connect with each other.” Rogovin succeeds outgoing Attorney General Erich Andersen, who moved to special prosecutor.
Federica Tremolada
Spotify
Federica Tremolada promoted to managing director Europe for Spotify, effective immediately. Tremolada, who spent the last five years as CEO of Southern and Eastern Europe, is filling his shoes Michael Krause, who earlier this week announced his retirement after a seven-year run as GM. Both executives made their own announcements on Linkedin, with Krause calling it “the perfect time to step down” and spend time with family before seeking “new adventures later this year.” Tremolada, meanwhile, called working at Spotify “one of my biggest dreams come true” and cited the opening of Casa Spotify in Milan, where she is based, and growing the podcast business in the region as some of the highlights points of her tenure. Prior to joining Spotify, Tremolada spent over a decade at Google, where she rose to head of international partnerships for the YouTube TV team.
Austin Jenkins named vp of A&R at Island Records. Based in Nashville, Jenkins launched Island in 2023 and has been instrumental in signing and developing artists including Wyatt Flores and Medium Build to the label. He will continue to lead the Island's Nashville operations. Jenkins was formerly a founder, guitarist and songwriter of the Texas band White Denim. He later founded the Fort Worth, Texas, Niles City Sound recording studio Josh Block and Chris Vivionwhere Jenkins and Block co-produced, recorded and mixed Leon Bridges' full-length debut album, I'm coming home. Jenkins performed guitar and bass on the album and also toured with Bridges as part of his band.
Adam Salomon appointed senior director of A&R at Concord Music Publishing. Salomon joins Concord from London-based music management company Chosen Music, where he led the A&R efforts. He reports to Concord Music Publishing, a global A&R executive Kim Frankiewicz. Originally from Sweden, Salomon has held A&R and management roles at independent and major labels in the country, including Universal Music Sweden, where he headed the Svenska Inspelningar label.
Producer, songwriter and rapper Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins started a new record label, Alienz Alive, which Jerkins described in a statement as “a collaborative, Christ-centered creative community where artist development is key. We encourage our artists to use their gifts to stimulate and inspire. Sonically speaking the influences are Hip Hop, R&B and Indie Rock. As long as it glorifies God and is dope, everyone is welcome.” At launch, Alienz Alive's roster includes Jon Keith, GAWVI, IMRSQD, Alex Jean and TJ Carroll. Jerkins will be involved in the day-to-day operations of the company.
Madison House is building a bigger booking agency by hiring an industry veteran Thomas Ponsart as a booking agent and Ruby Williams and Madison Dawson as assistant agents. Bay Area resident Ponsart has over a decade of experience and has learned under the tutelage of Tom Chauncey and Hank Sacks at Partisan Artists. He brings with him a roster that includes John Craigie, Monophonics, Parlor Greens, Madeline Hawthorne, Kelly Finnigan, Anthony Villacari and Goodnight, Texas. Williams arrives from the Freshwater Art Gallery & Music Venue in Boyne City, Mich., where she booked artists of all stripes, and is now based in the Madison House office in Ann Arbor. Dawson is a recent graduate of Belmont and an intern at Madison House in Nashville, where she is based. “The ultimate decision to join forces with Madison House is our shared values, growth mindset, adaptability, freedom to pursue new clients and their technological approach to new systems,” said Ponsart. “Madison House has instilled these values in their team for decades and makes them a commendable and unique business that I am excited to call my new home.”
Riser House Records was named Amy O'Connor as head of sales and streaming. O'Connor previously served as director of marketing at Sony Music/Legacy Recordings, working on Sony's back catalog, including music by Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, as well as artists such as Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. O'Connor previously led the streaming team at Better Noise Music, working on projects for Papa Roach, Mötley Crüe and Five Finger Death Punch. –Jessica Nicholson
Filmmaker and music producer Jesse Lauter joined Peter Shapiro's Dayglo presents as head of production & media. In this new position, Lauter will oversee the creative side of video and audio production for Dayglo venues, including The Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY and the Brooklyn Bowl mini-chain (Brooklyn, Las Vegas, Nashville and Philadelphia), along with the recently added Bearsville Theater in Woodstock. One of his main responsibilities is directing live streams for FANS.live and Relix out of the Capitol Theatre. Lauter recently directed Learning To Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen for Joe Cocker and is currently working on a film about swamp rock legends Little Feat. He has also been working with Dayglo part-time for years. “I've been a part of this family for a long time and I have so much love and respect for Pete and everything he's built,” he said. “It's a perfect fit.” each Lauter can be reached at jesse@dayglopresents.com.
Courtney Zepetella he is no longer its senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer Madison Square Garden Entertainment. Zeppetella's resignation, effective May 31, was disclosed in an SEC filing three days before her departure. The New York-based executive joined MSGE in May 2022 after a 21-year stint at KPMG, where he became an audit partner. Michael J. Grauthe company's executive vice president and chief financial officer, will serve as the company's interim chief accountant until a replacement is named.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Advertising signhis long-time Australian correspondent Lars Brandl is now head of content at The Brag Mediawhere he will oversee strategy Rolling Stone Australia and New Zealand, Australia variety, The Music Network, deaf and more titles. Brandle joined Advertising sign in 2000 from the London office and for many years served as world news editor and later as overnight editor — amassing a paltry 835 pages of written articles along the way. Aside from the new gig, Brandle isn't completely off the hook Advertising sign's snap just yet — Brag Media owns the license to Advertising sign in Australia. Talk soon man!
Sphere Entertainment hired industry veteran Chandra Allison as executive vice president of sales and service at the Las Vegas megavenue. In her new role, Allison will lead sales strategies, develop conferences and events, oversee service teams and build on Sphere's strong relationships with other stakeholders in Vegas. Allison, who has done consulting work for Sphere, most recently served as senior vice president of strategy and development at Oak View Group, where she oversaw development and strategy for the OVG360 portfolio. Prior to OVG, Allison worked for nearly 25 years at The Venetian Resort, where she became svp of sales and marketing. “Sphere is a game-changer in this dynamic market,” he said, “and this is a tremendous opportunity to continue working with the team to develop unique experiences that strengthen Sphere's presence in Las Vegas across a range of event and experience categories visitors.”
NASHVILLE NOTES: Kelly Haywood and Leigh Holt partnered to start Hsquared Management. The label combines artist rosters from their respective labels, KCH Entertainment and maddjett, while also unveiling their first signing together, Capitol CMG singer-songwriter Riley Clemmons. Hsquared's client roster also includes Lauren Daigle, Carlos Whittaker, Annie F. Downs and Megan Danielle –JN … UMG Nashvilleradio marketing director Donna Hughes left after 13 years. Hughes was previously national director of radio syndicate at Capitol/EMI Records before those imprints joined UMG.
ICYMI:
Lee Anderson
Warner Music Group has hired Michael Ryan-Southern to lead the company's acquisition efforts… CAA has appointed Darryl Eaton, Emma Banks and Rick Roskin as co-heads of global touring… French collective management organization SACEM extended Cécile Rap-Veber's term as CEO… MNRK Music Group President and CEO Chris Taylor is stepping down effective June 28 and will be replaced by COO Sean Stevenson … Lee Anderson was named its president Wasserman Music … Lionel Ridenour has been named executive vice president of promotion at gamma. … Dennis Ashley Jr. and his son Dennis Ashley III launched a new media company… Day After Day Productions hired Melanie Davis as head of tour marketing while promoting Mark Ertel to head of creative and Erin Patterson to the head of marketing.
Last week's turntable: PierFerd Partners Up
