Music Chairs -- Week 22 2021

GLOBAL

Independent music company Downtown Music Holdings is centralising its global new markets strategy, in a move that will see the creation of a a new department that will be responsible "for unlocking growth opportunities for Downtown in both new and existing global territories." The New York-based company, which sold last month its music publishing catalogue to Concord to focus on services to independent rights holders, said the new division was part of "the company’s ongoing work to realign its operations." To lead the new division, Downtown has appointed Sheer Music Africa MD DavidAlexander (pictured, below) as Senior Vice President of this newly-created global team. Alexander, who sold his music publishing company Sheer to Downtown last year, reports to Downtown EVP of Global Business Development Andrew Sparkler. Heli Del Moral, who previously led CD Baby’s international business, will serve as Vice President of the new division. For the time being, Alexander will continue to manage the Sheer Music Africa business in addition to his new role, while Downtown searches for a successor. Downtown said that through its operating brands (CD Baby, Songtrust, FUGA, among others), the company currently manages more than 23 million music assets on behalf of more than one million creators and 2,500 enterprise clients.

USA

Grammy Awards' organisers the Recording Academy has unveiled the newly elected national officers of its Board of Trustees: Tammy Hurt (pictured, below) was elected as the Chair of the Board of Trustees, with Rico Love serving as Vice Chair; Om'Mas Keith was elected Secretary and Treasurer; and Christine Albert will continue in her role as Chair Emeritus. The officers were voted upon at the organisation's annual spring Board of Trustees meeting in May. All officer appointments are effective immediately. "I know this group is going to do great work as we continue to transform the Academy and support the music community," said Harvey Mason jr., President/CEO of the Recording Academy.


Amy Ortner has joined New York-based independent music company Primary Wave Music as General Counsel. She will also be a member of the company's Senior Executive Team. Based in Los Angeles, Ortner reports to Ramon Villa, Chief Operating Officer at Primary Wave Music, and will work closely with founder/CEO Larry Mestel. She will be responsible for structuring, negotiating and drafting agreements for the company’s acquisitions of music catalogues, as well as handle contract negotiations and other legal matters for Primary Wave’s publishing division, artist management, film & TV, marketing and branding divisions. She joins from law firm Loeb & Loeb, where she was a core part of their music and entertainment group for 20 years. 

Jamila Thomas has been appointed as VP, Artist Marketing at Universal Music Group's Motown Records. Based in Los Angeles, she will oversee marketing strategies and campaigns across Motown’s roster of artists and partners, and will also be in charge of marketing initiatives for Motown’s newly relaunched historic spoken word imprint, Black Forum. She reports to Brian Nolan, EVP Motown and Motown Marketing. She was most recently Senior Director of Marketing at Warner Music Group's Atlantic Records.

Chris Ortman, the former Chief Spokesperson for the Motion Pictures Association, has joined Washington, DC communications and public affairs firm Signal Group as Executive VP, Communications.

CANADA

Diane Pinet, CEO and founder of Montreal-based music publishing company Bloc Notes Music Publishing, received a Lifetime Achievement Award - Publishing Company Legacy Award from trade organisation Music Publishers Canada. Pinet was presented her award by long-time colleague and friend, Tony Tobias of Pangaea Media & Music, who described her as "one of the most respected music publishers in the international music industry."


SWEDEN

Swedish organisation SOM, which represents some 300 Swedish independent record companies, has renewed its board at its May 20 AGM. The nine members of SOM's new board are: Eva Karman Reinhold (Smilodon), who will serve as Chair, Tobba Andersson (Zorch Productions) as Vice Chairman, Lena Graaf (GMR Music Group), Magnus Bjerkert (Adrian Recordings), Mahsa Khoshnood (Studio Barnhus), Per Sjösten (Footprint Records), Kelly Archer (The Music Box and Roxy Recordings), Ida Andersson (Despotz Records), and Lovisa Samuelsson (Pacaya Records).