Executive Turntable: Moves at Sony/ATV, Anthem, Primary Wave & More
A list of moves and shakers across the music business, including at Sony/ATV, Anthem, Primary Wave and more.
The recently-formed Nashville record label One Vision Music Group has appointed Cory B. Savage as its CEO, it was announced Tuesday (Jan. 7). The label is a subsidiary of the multimedia entertainment and development company Visionary Media Group.
In his new role, Savage will oversee the One Vision Music Group team that handles label operations, music publishing, sync licensing, legal expertise and finance. He will additionally spearhead the launch of American Idol Season 12 finalist Kree Harrison’s forthcoming album, Chosen Family Tree, for the label.
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“It is a privilege to have Cory take the lead for One Vision Music Group,” said One Vision Music Group president Ronald Zamber, MD. “His domain expertise, talent and temperament are exceptional; a perfect complement to the Visionary Media Group team. We are all thrilled to be working to help Kree share her extraordinary talent with the country music world.”
Savage previously served as president and CEO of Cory B. Savage Enterprises, a multimedia design consulting office based in Nashville with satellite offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Miami. He has held a variety of positions in the music industry and beyond, including work as a brand and sponsor relations consultant for both Sony Music Entertainment and Big Machine Label Group.
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Savage also boasts an extensive creative direction background, having produced music videos for artists including Blake Shelton and Robin Thicke as well as live TV performances by Rod Stewart, Mary J. Blige and Thompson Square. He has additionally worked on magazine spreads for Josh Groban, Wyclef Jean, Venus Williams and more for publications including Vogue, People, InStyle and Redbook.
Sony/ATV has appointed Cathy Merenda in the newly-created role of senior vp, broadcast and media rights, it was announced Wednesday (Jan. 8). Merenda will lead the acquisition and retention of administration partnerships with film, TV, broadcast and digital media companies in the U.S. She will report to chairman and CEO Jon Platt and be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office.
“I am pleased to have an experienced executive such as Cathy leading Sony/ATV’s Broadcast and Media Rights,” said Platt in a statement. “Her considerable expertise in music publishing and copyright administration makes her a perfect fit to engage our broadcast and media clients and position our partnerships for success.”
“I am so excited to join Jon and his exceptional team at Sony/ATV,” added Merenda. “I have always been impressed by the enthusiasm and integrity running throughout the company. Sony/ATV represents the right place at the right time for me to focus my energy and passion on advancing the media sector within a world class publisher. I am grateful to Jon for the opportunity to help grow the company’s presence in the broadcast and media rights arena.”
Merenda hails from Twentieth Century Fox, where she rose to senior vice president, music publishing over a 25-year career there. In that role, she oversaw all aspects of music publishing, including licensing, creative, copyright administration and royalties for Fox’s domestic film, TV, syndication, news, sports and cable divisions. She directed global music publishing rights for hit films including Titanic, Avatar, Birdman, Juno and The Revenant along with TV shows including The Simpsons, Glee, How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family. She started her career as a live and studio audio sound engineer for artists including Michael Penn and Gilby Clarke. She also worked as a publishing and financing coordinator at All American Television/Scotti Brothers Records.
Brian Wahlund has been promoted to senior vp of content at Anthem Production Music Group, Anthem Entertainment announced Wednesday (Jan. 8).
In his new role, Wahlund will lead the original content division and production services, working alongside president Dan Demole to set the strategic direction for the group while also managing its slate of original podcasts, audio-first content and third-party production company partnerships. He will also oversee several film, TV and advertising projects for the company while continuing to be involved in Jingle Punks, the global licensing and scoring business that was recently acquired by Anthem Entertainment.
“Brian has been a valuable partner in Jingle Punks for over 10 years, originally launching our Los Angeles office and later over seeing all original productions,” said Demole in a statement. “His nearly two decades of experience producing top quality content will serve as a great backbone for our division’s goal to become a leader in the audio content space.”
Brian most recently ran production on the hit podcast Bear and a Banjo, which peaked at No. 2 on the iTunes Music Podcast charts. He’s also worked in a production capacity for Fox, ABC, NBC, MTV and Red Bull properties, among others.
“Anthem Entertainment is home to an excellent catalog of music and a roster of incredible artist and creators,” said Wahlund. “I’m looking forward to telling stories in content, podcasting and beyond with the wealth of material within the creative reach of Anthem and outside of our walls through partnerships. Additionally, I look forward to a new chapter in Jingle Punks and to continue working with our clients in television, film and online to provide music for stories big and small.”
Courtni Asbury has joined the music department at The Lede Company, it was announced Thursday (Jan. 9). She will be based out of the full-service public relations and consulting agency’s Los Angeles office.
“We are thrilled to have Courtni join us as we’ve long admired her work – she is an incredible addition to our team,” added Dvora Englefield, partner at The Lede Company.
Asbury previously served as vp of media & artist relations at Def Jam Recordings, where she spent 10 years. While there, she was key in the development and success of artists including Big Sean, 2 Chainz, YG, Vince Staples and Jhene Aiko.
The Lede Company’s A-list client list includes Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Mary J. Blige, Miley Cyrus, Grimes, Halsey, Shakira and Complex Media.
Longtime Concord Records vp of publicity Mike Wilpizeski has joined Brooklyn-based PR firm Chart Room Media as senior vp, it was announced Monday (Jan. 6). Wilpizeski worked at Concord for a total of 21 years
“Mike has been an inspiration to work with,” said Chart Room Media president Brendan Gilmartin, who collaborated with Wilpizeski on various projects prior to his hiring. “I’m excited to have him join our team. With Mike’s expertise, knowledge and proven dedication to delivering meaningful press campaigns, I’m confident this move will drive a lot of growth for Chart Room Media.”
Wilpizeski has developed and executed PR campaigns for artists including Santana, Elvis Costello, Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Gibbons, Ray Charles and Esperanza Spalding, whose surprise win for Best New Artist at the 2011 Grammys was preceded by a Wilpizeski-orchestrated campaign. He joined ECM Records as publicity manager in 1988 and was named national publicity director at jazz label Verve eight years later. He later ran the publicity department at Telarc Entertainment, which was later bought by Concord.
Primary Wave Music Publishing has brought on Angelica Camacho as vice president, creative A&R, it was announced Thursday (Jan. 9). Camacho joined the company this past summer and has since signed singer-songwriter Jeremih and producer-songwriter Anthony Jones to worldwide co-publishing deals. She works under the company’s head of creative A&R Jake Livingston.
“I’m excited and proud to have Angelica join the Primary Wave creative team,” said Primary Wave president Justin Shukat. “We support her creative instincts and the company goal to grow our contemporary writing roster at Primary Wave. The signings of both Jeremih and Anthony Jones, who both had hit songs on the top of the radio charts this past fall, is a great way to start out the new year.”
Added Camacho, “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to bring my passion for execution and ‘songs first’ approach to Primary Wave. I admire the team Justin and Jake have built and their creative first perspective that I believe is paramount to building long lasting careers. I’m excited to help grow a diverse, forward thinking, and culturally relevant environment at Primary Wave. “
Camacho comes from the London-based TaP Music, where she served as manager and U.S. A&R and worked with artists including Hailee Steinfeld and Col3trane. She previously served in an A&R role at Unrestricted/SONGS Music Publishing, working on projects for Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Noah Cyrus and Chromeo.
Pearl Records has promoted Glenn Noblit to the role of director, national promotion, the company announced Monday (Jan. 6). He was hired as director of regional promotion in 2016 and has worked for over 20 years in publicity, radio promotion and other capacities for artists including Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Big & Rich, Ryan Adams, Carl Perkins and Faith Hill.
“Glenn was the very first call I received as soon as we made the announcement to build out Pearl’s promotion team in the summer of 2016,” said Mandy McCormack, Pearl Records’ senior vp of radio promotion & marketing, artist strategy. “I could tell from that initial conversation that he brought the energy and ‘Garth passion’ I was looking for to be part of the Pearl family. From that moment on, his work ethic, to his passion, to his attention to detail and to his overall good-hearted approach…he has proven to be one of the very best in the business and we are extremely fortunate to have Glenn as a leader on our team.”
“I couldn’t be more grateful to Garth, Trisha, Mandy, Lesly and Andy for their confidence in me on this awesome promotion,” Noblit added. “This is my dream job and I can’t wait to see all of our country radio family at a Dive Bar or Stadium near YOU in 2020!”
Amanda Molter has been named deputy general counsel at Concord, it was announced Monday (Jan. 6). She will report to chief business affairs officer and general counselor Larry Blake out of the company’s Nashville office.
“Amanda brings a brilliant intellect and a wealth of experience in corporate and financial matters that will be invaluable as Concord continues to grow and expand and as the business environment in which we operate becomes more and more complex,” said Blake. “We are thrilled to have her on the Concord team.”
In her new role, Molter will assist Blake on a range of projects, with an emphasis on corporate and other non-business affairs matters. She joins the company from Barings LLC, where she served as assistant general counsel and director. She previously practiced at Latham & Watkins LLP for 10 years as a member of its investment funds group.
Added Molter, “I am excited to join the Concord family and look forward to working with Larry and the rest of the talented leadership team to support the company’s strong growth trajectory with integrity and efficiency.”
Alternate Side has hired Cory Hajde as manager, the company announced Tuesday (Jan. 7). Hajde currently manages rock acts including Fit For a King, Hot Mulligan, Erra, Dayseeker, Silent Planet and The Sidekicks. He additionally co-owns the independent concert promotion company BravoArtist.
“We have always loved and respected Cory,” said Alternate Side co-owners and partners Evange Livanos and Zack Zarrillo in a joint statement. “We have been working with him throughout the years on the concert and management side and when we found out he was looking for a new home for his management business, we jumped at the opportunity to partner up with him.”
Alternate Side is home to artists including Cavetown, nothing, nowhere., Citizen, Knuckle Puck, Grayscale and Movements.
“I’m beyond excited to join Alternate Side and partner up with Zack and Evange,” added Hajde. “It feels great to be joining two incredible people who can give a great variety of perspective and surround me with the resources to succeed. Having the chance to work with each of them from concert point of view has always been inspiring. Their attention to detail and creative tour marketing shows why their artists continue to thrive in industry’s shifting climate.”
Quentin Bradley has been promoted to head of product at Muserk, an AI-driven global rights management agency for music, TV, film and video that helps rights holders protect and monetize their content. Hailing from Global Rights Management, Bradley reports to Muserk CEO and founder Paul Goldman and operates out of the company’s Nashville office.
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