Welcome to another edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard's comprehensive(ish) roundup of promotions, hires, departures and firings — and everything in between — across music. While you're here, we also have a weekly interview series featuring a single executive and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry figures we've lost over the year.
Warner Chappell Music are promoted David Golchen to senior vice president of North American A&R. Los Angeles-based Goldsen will continue to sign and develop songwriters and artists across multiple genres, help lead North American A&R efforts, and continue to support songwriters in international markets and oversee the publisher's A&R efforts in Australia. Goldsen joined Warner Chappell in 2009 and in 2022 was named vice president of creative and head of A&R for WCM. Over the past year and change, he has signed a number of top country, rock, jazz and alternative artists, including Zach Bryan, Teddy Swims, The Red Clay Strays, Laufey and Sleep Token. Goldsen also continues to work closely with Mitski, who he signed in 2018 and who had a hit in 2023/2024 with “My Love Mine All Mine”. He will continue to report to Ryan Press, president of North America.
“David has consistently demonstrated his natural ability to discover and sign top talent,” Press said. “He has steadily built a star-studded roster, and in the past year alone, brought in many of today's chart-topping artists and songwriters. I've had the opportunity to work with him for over 15 years and I'm proud of all he's accomplished on our team as an A&R executive and inspirational leader.” –Jessica Nicholson
Meantime…
Isadora Kamochkin was promoted to marketing director at Warner Music Finlandwhere she has been a core company since 2016. She is a step up from her previous role as marketing manager of the company's in-house marketing department, where she has worked with radio and streaming partners and been instrumental in promoting many Finnish acts such as Antti Tuisku, BEHM , Kaija Koo and others. With this promotion, Kamotskin will join the management team of both Warner Music Finland and Warner Music Live and will report to regional CEO Ramona Forsström. “She has a strategic vision, strong marketing skills, a deep understanding of our roster and the ability to help artists succeed,” said Forsström. “Her passion for music, people-oriented management style and ability to inspire her team are invaluable strengths.”
Audio Uphis record label, Audio Chateauhas secured an additional $4.5 million in funding through investors including Glen Barros, managing partner of Exceleration Music, as well as Gillian Hormel and Jonathan Schulman. It also has a built-in Grayson Flatnessformerly of Sounds Good, where he held the position of GM and Director of A&R, who will act as an A&R consultant and industry veteran Kate Londonwho will act as head of legal and business affairs for the label, overseeing business and legal dealings in all musical endeavors. This is in addition to London's responsibilities for overseeing business and legal affairs for Audio Up Media. She has previously held executive roles at Global Music Rights, Interscope Records and Warner Records, in addition to her private practice.
RADIO, RADIO: iHeartMedia determined Angela Reed to senior vice president of inside sales, overseeing the company's slate of shows, events, digital and podcast products across all markets. Reed, who previously held leadership roles at Miradore, KnowBe4 and Time Doctor, will report to Julie Donohue, president of multi-market partnerships at iHeartMedia… Cumulus Media are promoted Carolyn Chauncey to senior marketing and podcasting manager, a role that will see her lead day-to-day operations, content acquisition, writing and production at the Cumulus Podcast Network. Chauncey will continue to lead corporate marketing for Cumulus Media, Westwood One and the Cumulus Podcast Network, reporting to Collin R. Jones, president of Westwood One. Elsewhere in Cumulus, Megan Devine promoted to vp of podcast sales planning and performance optimization.
Outback presents employee Christine Melko Ross to lead the company's Canadian operations as senior vice president of global operations. As its title implies, the vibrant Montreal-based executive will also spearhead international expansion strategies beyond North America. Melko Ross arrives at Outback after a 23-year run at Just For Laughs Group, producer of the legendary comedy festival. At JFL, he was instrumental in launching the iconic Montreal festival and expanding it to Toronto. [This year’s festival was canceled in March amid a bankruptcy filing and layoffs.] Prior to joining JFL, Melko Ross was master talent buyer for Donald K. Donald/Universal Concerts/House of Blues Concerts, managing tours for artists as diverse as The Backstreet Boys and Leonard Cohen. “Everyone at Outback Presents is excited to have Christine join the team,” said Outback Presents Co-CEO Michael Smardak. “Her extensive achievements and experience in comedy will be invaluable to our global growth. We are very proud to have her with us.” Melko Ross can be reached at christine.melkoross@outbackpresents.com.
NASHVILLE NOTES: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are promoted Haley Houser to the deputy director of the CEO, Aaron Helvig to the director of school and music programs, Dana Romanello to the museum sales manager and Joe Bridges to the security director… Southwest Value Partnersits developer Nashville Yardsannounced the nearly completed 19-acre mixed-use entertainment district in downtown Nashville Christian Parker as chief operating officer, Steve Lewis security manager and Rocky Ryan as vp of operations of the massive project. When completed, Nashville Yards will feature several Class A+ buildings, including offices for CAA, AEG Presents and Messina Touring Group, as well as The Pinnacle, a 4,500-capacity music venue… Daywind Music Group are promoted Joe Dan Cornett to the publishing manager of the bluegrass label Music by Billy Blue. Cornett has been with DMG for 10 years, serving as both catalog director and creative director.
Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer and arranger John Beasley succeeded Chuck Owen as its president International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC). Other 2024 appointments at ISJAC, a nonprofit advocacy organization for jazz composers and arrangers, include Mike Conrad as vice president of membership and Erica von Kleist as vice president of development, with a board of Billy Childs, Patrice Rushen and Rio Sakairi. Owen, who co-founded ISJAC in 2016, remains on the board. “I am fortunate to take over from Owen, who has left a lasting and remarkable mark,” Beasley said. “I am very excited to engage and exchange ideas with our current and new members around the world to help each other advance our personal and collective artistic growth, which ultimately advances the art of arrangement and composition” .
Big Loud Records are promoted Eric England to senior intelligence and analytics representative. England joined the team in September 2021 and founded the company's Insights & Analytics division, leading the label's data driven methodology. England holds a PhD from Virginia Tech and began his career in the music industry after The Ohio State University, The Kraft Heinz Company and Mars Petcare. –JN.
ACHIEVED NEW KEOs? BrickHouse Entertainment's Scott Brickell, Ron Smith and Chase Swayzealong with former Hootie and manager Blowfish Rusty Harmoncollaborated with Vere Music on Hit and Run Musica new marketing, distribution and label business distributed by Nashville-based ADA. The label's opening artist is Micah Christopher… Origins Records and Hitmaker Music formed a new venture that will focus on emerging Black country and Americana artists. The JV is headed by the Origins executive Kadim Phillips and former MNRK Music Group svp/GM Gina Miller.
ICYMI:
Eliot Grange
