Musical Chairs -- Week 15 2021

 USA

Cat Kreidich (pictured, below) has been promoted to President of ADA Worldwide, Warner Music Group's distribution and services company for the independent sector. She replaces Eliah Seton who joined Soundcloud after over a decade with WMG. Kreidich joined ADA as EVP at the end of last year from Sony Music's The Orchard division. Based in New York, she reports to Max Lousada, CEO, Warner Recorded Music. Her remit will include ADA, the Asylum label, and Level, WMG’s platform for unsigned artists. "In the short time since Cat’s return to ADA, she’s already inspired everyone with her passion and creativity, her deep devotion to the indie community, and her wide-ranging global expertise. She’s the ideal choice to lead ADA into the future,” said Lousada.


Eliah Seton (pictured, below) has been appointed President of music streaming platform Soundcloud, effective May 1, 2021. He reports to Soundcloud CEO Michael Weissman. In his new role, Seton will be in charge of SoundCloud’s business strategy, content partnerships and business development, as well as leading mergers and acquisitions, and be responsible for the company’s distribution and artist services businesses. He was previously President of Independent Music & Creator Services at Warner Music Group. “Eliah’s passion for music and his innovative spirit combined with his deep industry experience in delivering world class services to the global music community is exactly the expertise and mindset that will help transform SoundCloud into the leading music entertainment company," said Weissman.


The National Association of Broadcasters has appointed Charlyn Stanberry (pictured, below) as Vice President of Government Relations. Stanberry reports to Shawn Donilon, Executive Vice President of Government Relations. Stanberry joins NAB after serving as chief of staff for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, for whom she previously served as legislative director and counsel. “Charlyn has excelled on Capitol Hill, in the private sector and in the legal community, and commands expert knowledge of the legislative process,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. 


Music lawyer Joel Katz has joined law firm Barnes & Thornburg. Based in Atlanta, he will serve as senior counsel for the firm’s entertainment, media and sports practice. Katz left last year law firm Greenberg Traurig “by mutual understanding." “Mr. Katz has a distinguished 50-year legal career representing numerous well-known artists, producers, record labels, prominent organizations in the music industry, and Fortune 500 companies,” said Barnes & Thornburg.

Todd Hartley has joined the Country Music Association in Nashville as Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs. He joins from Bridgestone Americas where he was Senior Counsel for Marketing, Advertising and Communications. At CMA, will oversee the contractual, legal and business practices for the organisation’s events and television properties.

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has appointed Chris Bates as SVP, Legal & Business Affairs. Bates previously worked at the US Department of Justice in both the Civil Division and Antitrust Division as Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General. In his role at NMPA, he reports to the EVP & GC Danielle Aguirre. In addition, Ashley Jones has joined the NMPA as Manager, External Affairs, reporting to the SVP of External Affairs, Charlotte Sellmyer.

Licensing platform Soundstripe has promoted Jack Whitis (pictured, below) from Director of Engineering to Vice President of Engineering, overseeing the team of software engineers and user interface designers that develop Soundstripe’s digital products. He will be based in Soundstripe’s Nashville office. He reports to Trevor Hinesley, Co-Founder and CTO of Soundstripe.

Sony Music Nashville has promoted Margaret Tomlin to Vice President, A&R. She reports  to Senior Vice President, A&R, Taylor Lindsey. Tomlin has been with the label for six years, and previously held the positions of Representative, Manager and Director for the label group’s A&R Department.

​Los Angeles-based lawyer Howard Weitzman (pictured, below) has died at the age of 81 after a short illness. ​A founding partner at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump LLP, Weitzman has been the lead trial attorney in over 300 civil and criminal jury trials. Over the years, his clients have included all the major motion picture studios, talent agencies William Morris, ICM and CAA, and many celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Marlon Brando, Morgan Freeman, Magic Johnson, O.J. Simpson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Justin Bieber, Ivan Reitman, Ozzy Osbourne, and Sean Combs, amongst others. Weitzman has also represented the Estate of Michael Jackson since its inception. From 1995-1998, Mr. Weitzman served as Vice President of Corporate Operations for Universal Studios.


UNITED KINGDOM

Hasbro-owned music company Entertainment One has appointed music supervision consultant Dushiyan Piruthivirajah as Head of Music Supervision & Sync UK. He reports to Los Angeles-based Sean Mulligan, eOne’s VP Creative, Music. Based in London, Piruthivirajah will focus on finding sync opportunities for eOne’s catalogues across TV, film, advertising, and gaming for the UK and European territories.

AUSTRALIA

Matt Gudinski (pictured, below) will assume the role of CEO of Mushroom Group, following the death of his father, Michael, on March 2. He has been Executive Director of Australia's leading independent music group since 2013. Set up in 1972, the Mushroom Group employs over 250 people and comprises over two dozen companies active in sectors such as touring and events, record labels and artist services, publishing, merchandising, booking agencies, film and television production, talent management, venues, creative services and brands. “This isn’t a role that I expected to assume yet, but I am determined to honour the great legacy my father left,” Gudinski said. “Mushroom Group is in its strongest position ever and as we fast approach our 50th year I know that our incredibly talented Mushroom family will help me deliver the vision Dad and I had for the next 50 years of our business.”

Digital rights management start-up Fairphonic has hired former Executive Vice President of Sony Music Asia Pacific Gavin Parry as Chairman. Fairphonic uses AI Audio Fingerprint (AIFP) to identify unclaimed masters, live recordings, covers, user-generated content and reproduction content across social media and music platforms. “As digital music continues to accelerate in all its forms, having a great partner that can protect your copyright 24/7 will become an essential service," said Parry. "With music now seen as an investment grade asset, returns to owners and investors must be fully optimised and Fairphonic has the technology to achieve this.” 

VIETNAM

Nguyễn Van Hung has been appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the Government formed by the President of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. He succeeds Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện who had been in office since 2015. Nguyễn Van Hung was Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism since July 2020.

IVORY COAST

Harlette Badou has been appointed Minister of Culture, the Arts and the Entertainment Industry in Ivory Coast, as a member of the government of Prime Minister Achi Patrick. She succeeds Raymonde Goudou Coffie who held this position since May 2020. Badou has been head of the public relations department of the Ivory Coast Telecoms Regulatory Authority since 2021.