Welcome to the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s a full slate of personnel news this week, so let’s hop to it.
EMPIRE‘s global expansion is afoot with the appointment of Guillermo Ramos as managing director of Europe, and Ted May as senior vice president of international marketing, both based in its London headquarters. Ramos will oversee European operations, including France and German-speaking regions, while May will lead global marketing strategies across six continents. Their roles aim to drive EMPIRE’s rapid international expansion and artist success. “Our London operation is integral to this as the centerpiece between the Americas, Africa and Asia,” said EMPIRE COO Nima Etminan. “With Guillermo and Ted, we feel confident to have found two seasoned, yet motivated individuals who will understand how to solidify our presence in Europe and expand our global footprint in international territories.” Ramos, formerly GM at Virgin Music Group, brings 18 years of experience, having worked with artists like Rema, Hozier and The Weeknd. May, with over 25 years, previously led MNRK/eOne’s UK and international operations, supporting acts like The Streets, Cher and The Lumineers. Ramos commented that “steady and meaningful expansion in Europe – and the globe – is a priority for our next chapter, driven by our leadership in the independent sector, at a time when an industry-wide paradigm shift is underway.”
Brian Wagner will take on the role of executive director for the International Entertainment Buyers Association, or IEBA, effective March 1. Wagner replaces Pam Matthews, who retired following 12 years leading the Nashville-based booking trade group. Wagner’s nearly three-decade career includes his work founding Flashpoint Entertainment (which launched Nashville venues Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom). He also led marketing for the Ryman Auditorium, including curating the venue’s annual bluegrass series and the “Sam’s Place” series. In 2015, Wagner took on the role of assistant commissioner of marketing for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, forging the “Soundtrack of America, Made in Tennessee” campaign. –Jessica Nicholson
Merlin announced several key promotions within its team. Marta de la Hoz, with over seven years at the company, is now senior director of business analytics. Matt Rose was promoted to senior manager of strategy and growth. Nick Cashmore, instrumental in enhancing reporting, is now director of reporting. Pavan Vasdev steps into an expanded role as senior director of strategy and growth. Lastly, Tom White, a key player in advancing data analytics, is now senior data analyst.
The Syndicate hired veteran music publicist Sue Marcus from Stunt Company Media as vp of publicity, where she will co-lead the department with Brendan Bourke. Marcus brings her entire roster from Stunt Company and will be joined by publicist Anna Jenkins and new hire Cassidy Berstler, expanding the press team at the marketing agency to nine members. All three are based in Weehawken, NJ. Jeff Kilgour will now lead business development as svp, alongside Rob Gross. Marcus, with over 30 years of experience, worked at director levels at Roadrunner Records, Mercury Records and Island Def Jam before founding Stunt Company in 2001. She has led media campaigns for a wide range of artists and festivals, including Monica, Ra Ra Riot, Tom Verlaine, and Moon River Music Festival, among others. Her current roster includes Drew & Ellie Holcomb, JOHNNYSWIM, XiXA and Mayday Parade. “Sue’s incredible expertise, passion for storytelling, and the powerhouse roster she brings from Stunt Company will strengthen our expanding publicity department,” said Kilgour.
The Music Fights Fraud Alliance selected Michael Lewan to lead the anti-fraud collective. As executive director, Lewan will lead the MFFA’s strategic initiatives from Washington, D.C. Previously, he served as managing director of state and federal advocacy at the Recording Academy. Founded in June 2023, MFFA unites major music companies, including Downtown (CD Baby and FUGA), Believe (TuneCore), Amazon Music, Spotify, EMPIRE and United Masters, to combat fraud through cross-platform collaboration. The Alliance has mobilized working groups to address fraud identification, mitigation, and enforcement across distributors, labels and DSPs. Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore, emphasized Lewan’s role in strengthening the industry’s fight against fraud, citing his expertise in government relations and policy advocacy. “His leadership and vision will be crucial as we continue working toward a more equitable and transparent music industry,” she said.
NASHVILLE NOTES: The W.O. Smith Music School appointed Valerie Cordero, Ph.D. as its new executive director. Dr. Cordero succeeds Jonah Rabinowitz, who led the school, which provides vital music education to Nashville’s underserved youth, for nearly 30 years. A Nashvillian since 2012, Dr. Cordero joins from Families for Depression Awareness, where she served as co-executive director, leading fundraising and marketing efforts and advocating for affordable mental health care … Black River promoted Ally Roden to publicity manager from coordinator … Red Street hired Patrick Waters as senior director of country A&R after a run as a Red Light artist manager. The company also crowned Kelly King vp of publishing.
Huskins-Harris Business Management rebranded as Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company, with John Huelsman and Morgan Barnes joining Becky Harris as principals at the company. Together, Harris, Huelsman and Barnes have over 40 years of experience, with the company’s current clients including Chris Young, producer James Stroud, Drew Baldridge, Frankie Ballard, Austin Brown, Scotty Hasting, Angie K, Alexandra Kay, Julian King, Nicotine Dolls, Michael Ray and American Idol winner Noah Thompson. –J.N.
AEG Presents is opening a new office in Oslo, Norway, led by industry veteran Peer Osmundsvaag starting March 1. Osmundsvaag, with 35 years of experience, was a founding partner at All Things Live and began his career as a DJ and party promoter in 1989. He founded Atomic Soul in 2001 and has worked with major artists like Eminem, Prince, and Justin Bieber. He also co-founded Norway’s Hove Festival and established Oslo’s PiPFest in 2014. Recognized for his contributions, he received Oslo’s Culture Prize in 2017. Notably, he promoted Norway’s two largest ticketed concerts to date: Eminem at Voldsløkka (55,000 attendees) and Rammstein at Bjerke Travbane (60,000 attendees). He’ll report to Adam Wilkes, president and CEO of AEG Presents Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Catch Point Rights Partners promoted Annie DeConto to director of business development, reporting to co-founders Richard Conlon, PJ Miklus and Patrick Riordan. Since joining in 2020 from stints at Morgan Stanley and Warner Music Group, she has played a key role in acquisition sourcing, marketing, and catalog analysis. “Her work underscores the firm’s dedication to developing data driven, creative liquidity solutions in collaboration with music creators, rights holders and the firm’s investors,” the founders said. Catch Point acquires rights and royalties from various music entities, offering liquidity solutions to copyright and royalty owners. Its portfolio includes thousands of sound recordings and musical works, including songs by The Smashing Pumpkins, Black Eyed Peas, Nine Inch Nails and Lil Wayne, among others.
RADIO, RADIO: Brian Kelly stepped down as vice president of Top 40 programming at Audacy. A 29-year veteran of the company, Kelly was also operations manager in Milwaukee, where he helped launch 103.7 Kiss FM and programmed 99.1 The Mix … European audio branding company PURE Jingles appointed Ilja Volkers as its new chief commercial officer. He joins with experience from BMG, Sony Music and Warner Music.
Breakaway Projects, the newly launched label and management division of Breakaway Music Festival, has announced its leadership team. Jaime Neely, a former Warner and BMG exec, will serve as president, bringing experience working with Lewis Capaldi, 5 Seconds of Summer and Monsta X. Harrison Bamel has been named vice president, also continuing his role leading Breakaway’s artist management team, where he oversees emerging electronic acts like Night Tales and Mojave Grey. Bamel will focus on A&R and artist development for the label. Matt Oliver joins as director of PR, leveraging over a decade of experience working with Facebook, Wu-Tang Clan, DMX and dirtybird records, among others. His role will center on increasing Breakaway Projects’ brand visibility across digital platforms.
Major Bob Music made three key leadership changes, promoting Andy Friday to chief operating officer and Emily Hasty to creative director, while bringing in Aubrey Daniels as head of publishing. Friday, who has worked with Bob and Mike Doyle for over 15 years, will now oversee all Doyle-owned companies while continuing his role as day-to-day manager for Treaty Oak Revival. Previously head of publishing, he played a key role in signing Zach Top and Treaty Oak Revival to Major Bob Music/Bob Doyle & Associates. Daniels joins as head of publishing, bringing extensive experience from Bluewater Music, SNG Music, and KP Entertainment. A Belmont alum, she was nominated as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence in 2021. Hasty, now creative director, first joined Major Bob as an intern in 2022 before working her way up to creative coordinator. She signed her first writer, Anslee Davidson, in 2023. Major Bob Music, founded by Garth Brooks’ longtime manager Bob Doyle, said it has notched over 70 No. 1 singles in its 39-year history.
BOARD SHORTS: The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomed DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado to its board of directors. Juice (class of 2008) said he aims to enhance the diversity of artist representation in the hall. Known for his roles as a composer, producer, turntablist, and educator, Juice has contributed to some of hip-hop’s greatest works, thanks to a longtime association with Public Enemy and other acts … Los Angeles College of Music is introducing 370 Music Group, a non-profit, student-run record label and music licensing company aimed at supporting and showcasing talent from the LACM community. The initiative is guided by LACM’s Faculty Advisory Board, which includes industry pros Erin Workman, Adam LaRue, Jennifer Smith, Karla Ortiz and Michael Chrysanthou. The label will officially launch at this weekend’s inaugural Music Industry Summit at the college in Pasadena.
ICYMI:
Katie Fagan
