THE REVOLVING DOOR

Ticketmaster has hired music industry veteran David Marcus to head a newly-formed music division in North America. As EVP, Head of Music, Marcus will oversee Live Nation’s artist services operation OnTour, the Venues & Promoters ticketing segment and club ticket platform TicketWeb.

Gary Hutchinson, formerly commercial director at English football team Sunderland AFC, has joined Wembley Stadium in London as head of venue sales and commercial partnerships. Other recent staff changes at Wembley, the UK’s largest stadium, include the promotion of Liam Boylan to stadium general manager, where he will work alongside Hutchinson and partnership development manager, music and new events, Danielle Russell to “bring the best of music to the stadium”, says Russell.

United Talent Agency (UTA) has hired branding expert Toni Wallace, most recently senior director of strategic marketing at Columbia Records, as Head of Music Brand Partnerships, based in Beverly Hills, CA

The Chairman & CEO of Sony Music's international operation, Edgar Berger, is leaving the major. Sony Music Chairman & CEO Doug Morris told staff that Berger had "decided to leave the company to pursue new entrepreneurial interests".

Facebook has poached Tamara Hrivnak to lead its global music strategy worldwide. She leaves behind her role as Director Of Music Partnerships at YouTube and Google Play in San Francisco.


Universal Music Publishing Group has made a major appointment in the US, hiring Viacom exec Rochelle Holguin to work with its sync, film/TV and A&R departments as VP Creative Strategy. 


Warner/Chappell Production Music has promoted Aaron Gant to SVP, Production Music. CEO Randy Wachtler called Gant's commitment 'an incredible asset'.

Longtime radio programmer Michael Bryan is joining Creative Artists Agency in a newly created position where he will develop brand strategies and assist in artist development for acts across the CAA roster.

Virgin EMI has bolstered its team with the appointment of Jordan Jay as senior A&R manager. The move marks a return to Universal Music for Jay, who worked at Geffen and Polydor/Fascination between 2006-2012.

Ron Wilcox, WMG's Executive Counsel, Business Affairs, Strategic and Digital Inititatives, has joined the board of SoundExchange, replacing Sony's Jeff Walker. SoundExchange is the independent nonprofit collective management organisation that collects and distributes digital performance royalties to featured artists and copyright holders.The SoundExchange Board of Directors is comprised of 18 individuals, split evenly between artist representatives and label representatives.

Ben Vaughn has been promoted to President of Warner/Chappell Nashville, six years after moving to the company from EMI Music Publishing.

New York-based Sheila Richman has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Press & Media, for Atlantic Records. Richman, who joined Atlantic in 2004, was most recently Senior Vice President of Publicity.

The Musicians' Union has announced the two candidates who are standing for the role of its General Secretary. A new chief is to be elected following the decision of incumbent John Smith to stand down later this year after fifteen years in the job. The two candidates going forward to a ballot of members are MU Executive Committee member Kathy Dyson and current MU Assistant General Secretary Horace Trubridge. The ballot of members will now be held between 6th and 27th March.

Dickinson Wright, PLLC's has hired Nashville-based entertainment attorney Noah McPike and will join the Music Row office of the firm. McPike's practice not only spans representation of independent and major label artists, writers, producers, and industry executives, but also new media, intellectual property and corporate clients.

Apple has hired former Spotify VP of Content Steve Savoca. Savoca will be heading up label relations based out of New York, focusing on relationships with smaller, independent labels.

Dave Berry is departing the London breakfast show at Capital FM for a new job at rival station Absolute Radio.

Janice Min will leave her position running editorial at Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter at the end of February. Mike Bruno will take over as editor of the music title.