THE REVOLVING DOOR

Audience reports that Geoff Meall, UK office MD of US booking giant United Talent Agency (UTA) is on the move to Coda Agency with his artistes.  It is understood that Meall, whose roster includes Muse, Paramour and Foals has been placed on so-called gardening leave until the end of the year. Meall, who left his role as head of United Talent Agency (UTA)’s London office at the end of 2017, has now officially confirmed his move to Coda Agency, becoming the latest high-profile hire for the fast-growing UK agency. The Agency Group (TAG) was acquired by UTA in 2015. Meall joins other recent hires Natasha Bent, also formerly of TAG/UTA, and Clementine Bunel, most recently of ATC Live.

The UK's Digital Minister Matt Hancock has been promoted to the top job at the Department Of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, a department he first joined in 2016.

TicketNews reports that Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino signed a contract to remain in the position through to 2022 in a deal valued at $9 million a year plus stock.

Wembley Stadium's partnership development manager for music and new events Danielle Russell is moving to London Stadium to become its head of events.  She left Wembley at the end of November, having been there for five years.

London venue operator Really Useful Theatres Group has appointed Mike Hamer, formerly of Koko in Camden, venue manager of the London Palladium. The hiring of Hamer, who spent 11 years at Koko, follows the appointment of Dave Gaydon (ex-Roundhouse), who is tasked with presenting more live music at Really Useful’s venues. 

Erik Huggers has announced that he is stepping down as CEO of Vevo. The music video platform's CFO Alan Price will take over until a permanent replacement can be found.

Ticketing firm The Ticket Factory has appointed Richard Howle as its Director Of Ticketing, Howle said he was thrilled to join The Ticket Factory "and to bring my experience of running in-house ticketing operations to the role .... It is a company I have long admired with a well-deserved reputation for delivering excellence".

Kevin Brown, the most senior industry-facing executive at Spotify outside the US, is leaving the company at the end of this year, MBW understands. Brown is Head of Artist & Label Services UK and International at Spotify, where he first arrived in early 2013. 

And Spotify's Chief Content Officer, Stefan Blom, is leaving the streaming company in the coming weeks - amid the firm's attempt to float on the New York Stock Exchange. Blom joined Spotify in 2014 as Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing the platform's operations, markets and corporate development activities around the world. He stepped up to Chief Content Officer in 2015, succeeding Ken Parks.

Michael Alexander has been named EVP International across Republic, Island and Def Jam in New York. Alexander has spent his entire career at Universal Music Group, most recently as SVP, International. He will direct ex-US artist campaigns in his new role.


BMG has made Allegra Willis Knerr VP, Film & TV Licensing for the recorded music and publishing firm. Alexi Cory-Smith, is exiting BMG after nearly seven years with the company, MBW reports. Cory-Smith joined BMG in January 2011, initially as SVP of BMG Chrysalis UK before moving up to an EVP role in 2013. She was promoted to President, Repertoire and Marketing of BMG UK in January this year after six years with the firm's London office.

Jen Sullivan, who ran her own successful indie promotion outfit The Spin Project, has joined eOne as VP of Promotion, Music. She will take up the new role in January and will be based in New York.

Swedish music startup Amuse, co-founded by will.i.am, has announced that Edgar Berger, the former Chairman and CEO of Sony Music International, has joined its board. The news comes as Stockholm-based Amuse closes a €3.5m Series A funding round.

Kobalt has appointed Lonny Olinick as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its recorded music division. Olinick will oversee artist services/distribution platform AWAL as well as the Kobalt Music Recordings operation. He will report directly to the founder and CEO of Kobalt Music, Willard Ahdritz.

Atlantic Records has promoted Ian Cripps to Vice President of A&R. Based in Los Angeles, Cripps reports to Atlantic President of A&R, Pete Ganbarg. Cripps has worked with the likes of Grammy-nominate DRAM and Sturgill Simpson (MBW).

Pandora has hired a new Chief Marketing Officer. Aimée Lapic joins from Gap Inc and succeeds Nick Bartels who left the company earlier this year.

Global Rights agency Merlin has today announced results of its biennial board elections – including the election of a new Chairman, with Dave Hansen, Epitaph’s SVP of Business Development, replacing Beggars Group founder Martin Mills, who is stepping down by rotation but remains a director. With Hansen moving away from his General Manager role, Epitaph has made some changes. Matt McGreevy is named GM of the label and Anti-, with Hope Selevan VP of Marketing and Digital Strategy. 

Facebook has just poached a senior Warner Music Group executive to join its expanding music licensing team, MBW has learned. Perry Bashkoff is SVP, Global Content & Revenue Development at WMG in New York. He has worked for the major for over 15 years, and is understood to be joining Facebook in the new year. Bashkoff's move to Facebook comes after fJeremy Sirota left for the social media giant last month. Sirota previously held the role of SVP, Head of Business and Legal Affairs for Warner's WEA and ADA divisions.

New Def Jam CEO Paul Rosenberg has made the high profile hiring of Rich Isaacson as EVP/GM of the Universal Music label. He's best known for working with acts including Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep at Loud Records alongside Steve Rifkind.