Musical Chairs -- Week 9 of 2021

 GLOBAL

Members of the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) have voted in favour of an expansion of the organisation's Board from 16 to 18 Directors, while maintaining its 50/50 composition of representatives from major and independent music company executives. The two newly-appointed Directors are Matthew Capper, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music Australia and Chairman of Australasian Music Publishers' Association Limited (AMPAL), and Antal Boronkay, Director of the Hungarian Music Publishers’ Association. ICMP's Board now counts Directors from 12 national trade associations from four continents. ICMP Board Chairman Chris Butler said: “Following the revision to ICMP’s bylaws the expansion of our Board is now complete with the addition of Matthew Capper (AMPAL) and Antal Boronkay (Hungarian MPA). I am delighted to welcome such experienced and accomplished music publishers to the ICMP Board and look forward to their contribution in the months and years ahead.”

USA

Ethiopia Habtemariam has been promoted to Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group's label Motown. She was President of Motown Records and Executive Vice President of Capitol Music Group since 2014. She now reports directly to UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. In a statement, UMG said Motown will enjoy "greater creative and commercial independence to advance its groundbreaking mission of artistic, social and entrepreneurial empowerment.” Commented Grainge: “Motown is such an important voice and, just as when it was founded by Berry Gordy, its impact continues to be felt around the world. Motown’s resurgence and powerful partnerships under Ethiopia’s leadership has advanced the label’s legacy as home to some of today’s biggest hitmakers and most meaningful voices in music.”

Music licensing marketplace Songtradr has named Mike Tunnicliffe and Joe Belliotti to lead the brand solutions division of a new B2B music platform named Vinyl by Songtradr, which will provide connections between brands, artists and the music ecosystem. Tunnicliffe, the former Head of Brand Partnerships for Universal Music Group USA takes the position of EVP, Brand Solutions, while Belliotti, former Head of Global Music for The Coca-Cola Company, is SVP, Brand Solutions. "Mike and Joe are the perfect duo to lead the brand solutions division of 'Vinyl by Songtradr'," said Paul Wiltshire, CEO of Songtradr. "They have developed a powerful offering, built on creative excellence, data and technology, that helps them evaluate the most effective ways for brands to use music."

US rights society BMI has appointed Sandye Taylor (pictured, below) as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, effective March 8. She will report to BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and will be a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. Taylor will be responsible for leading BMI’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.  


Isabella Bedoya has joined the advisory board of Doodeo, dubbed as the LinkedIn for entertainers, as an A&R and executive advisor. Bedoya is the founder of Fame Hackers, an online company that helps independent artists and performers establish profitable careers. "Isabella's unique insights will help the company achieve its goal of becoming the foremost online social-marketplace for entertainers," says Rony Hage, CEO of Doodeo.

Patty Erickson has joined the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) as Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources. Erickson reports to ASCAP Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Matthews. She joins from BBC Studios Americas, where she was Senior VP and Head of Human Resources. 

UK

Music charity The BRIT Trust has appointed Tony Wadsworth as its new Chair. Wadsworth, a former Chairman and CEO of EMI Music UK and Chair of the BPI, has been a BRIT Trustee for 16 years. Around £27 million has been donated through the Trust since it was established by the music industry in 1989.

Better Noise Entertainment has promoted Dan Waite to President of its label Better Noise Music. He was previously managing director, UK & Europe at the label. Based in London, he reports to CEO Allen Kovac.

Rachel Menzies has been appointed to the newly-created role of Senior Director Original Repertoire Services at BMG. Based in London, she reports to Alistair Norbury, BMG's President Repertoire & Marketing UK. She will provide original repertoire solutions to media clients, working closely alongside BMG’s existing UK Synch and Production Music teams. She previously worked for Native Music Supervision, West One Music and Musicmetric.

GERMANY

Alex Black (pictured, below) has been appointed to the newly-created position of CEO of Sonoton Music, the largest independent production music company, founded by composer, arranger and conductor Gerhard Narholz and his wife Rotheide in Munich in 1965. Black, who was previously Global Director at EMI Production Music, will oversee the day-to-day operations at the family-owned business, which owns exclusive rights to more than 130,000 works from all genres and represents a roster of more than 2,400 composers. Black will be based in Munich. “We have spent the last 50 years building Sonoton with much love and care,” said Rotheide and Gerhard Narholz. “It was a daunting prospect to consider transitioning the stewardship of the company to a new CEO. We are absolutely ecstatic that Alex Black will be the one to take on this role. Over the many years we have enjoyed a working relationship with him. He continually impressed us with his excellent business acumen, creativity and passion for music. We can withdraw from management now, knowing that Sonoton will be in the perfect hands for a successful future.”


Germany-based digital distribution service for independent artists and labels Zebralution has hired former BMG executive Patrick Joest (pictured, below) as a consultant. He will work with Zebralution's team to expand the company's service offering for artists and labels, focusing on potential expansions of services around sync, rights management and the implementation of technical solutions in these areas. Zebralution Managing Director for Music Oke Göttlich said Joest has "a wealth of valuable experience in the fields of sync, rights management and tech both nationally and internationally. His expertise will drive our initiative to further develop our business and expand our service portfolio." German rights society GEMA owns a majority share in Zebralution.


AUSTRALIA

Sebastian Chase, CEO of MGM Distribution, and David Vodicka, the Principal of entertainment law firm Media Arts Lawyers and owner of Rubber Group Of Companies, have been re-elected for new terms on the board of Australian label's trade body ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association). In addition, Sony Music Entertainment Australia’s Senior Director of Audience Development and Digital Communications Sophie Paterson (pictured, below) has been selected as the 2021 participant in ARIA's board observership programme. The objective of the programme is to build the capability of emerging industry talent and promote equality, diversity and inclusion on boards across the Australian music industry.


ASIA

Chiou Rei Min (pictured, below) has been appointed head of Greater China for Warner Music Group’s ADA division, providing services to independent labels and artists in mainland China and in Taiwan, where she is based. She joins from regional streaming platform KKBox. In South Korea, ADA has named Jin Hwang as head of the company's operations in the country and Tan Wei Keng as director, business operations, based in Seoul. Hwang was most recently executive director of Quan Entertainment. All three executives report to Singapore-based ADA Asia’s MD Chee Meng Tan. ADA Asia launched in September 2020. 


AFRICA

Believe-owned digital music distribution and rights administration company for independent artists TuneCore has appointed Jade Leaf as Head of Southern Africa and Chioma Onuchukwu as Head of for West Africa. Both executives will report to TuneCore Vice President International Faryal Khan-Thompson. Based in Nigeria, Onuchukwu will oversee TuneCore operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Gambia. She will also look after Tanzania and Ethiopia in East Africa. Before joining TuneCore, Onuchukwu was Marketing Manager at Nigeria-based music streaming platform uduX. Leaf's territorial responsibilities include South Africa, where she will be based, as well as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Lesotho. Leaf will also manage TuneCore operations in Kenya and Uganda. She worked previously at Africa’s largest Pay TV operator Multichoice as the Marketing Manager for Youth & Music Channels. “Africa is an extremely exciting music market with a lot of potential for growth," said Khan-Thompson. “By hiring Jade and Chioma to lead our efforts, TuneCore is well positioned to maximise opportunities for independent artists across the continent."