Welcome to another edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard's comprehensive(ish) roundup of promotions, hires, departures and firings — and everything in between — across music. While you're here, we also have a weekly interview series featuring a single executive and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry figures we've lost over the year.
Warner Music welcomed the experienced artist manager and marketer Oscar Scivier as senior director of A&R for Asia based in Hong Kong. The company said Scivier will work closely with regional management to develop A&R strategies, as well as support WMG's overall vision to introduce local artists to global audiences. Scivier was most recently head of music at Digital Arts and Sciences, which followed a five-year stint at First Access Entertainment, where he worked with Rita Ora, Madison Beer, DJ Regard and more. He also made previous stops at Ultra Music, working with Steve Aoki, Kygo, OMI and Benny Benassi, and Three Six Zero, where he did Deadmau5 and Michael Woods daily. “The addition of Oscar to our global A&R team strengthens our ability to quickly capitalize on artist development opportunities and reaffirms WMG's commitment to providing the best platform for the most impressive and popular talent,” said Kabiru Bello, vice president of global A&R Warner Recorded Music. “His broad experience as a producer, label manager and artist manager will make him an excellent addition to our company's leadership team of A&R executives.”
Stern Management secured the services of the industry veteran Marisa Jeffries in the newly created role of general manager. He will work closely with the label's roster, which includes The Black Angels, Phosphorescent, Metric, Finn Wolfhard and more. Jeffries was most recently head of US label partnerships at TikTok, where she found opportunities for the likes of Taylor Swift, Rosalia, Steve Lacy and Omar Apollo — quality work that earned her a spot on Bulletin boardWomen in Music list in 2023. Earlier in her career, Jeffries led marketing strategy for Sony Music's catalog division, and prior to TikTok spent over five years working in label relations at SoundCloud. “I am constantly inspired by Marisa and her community of colleagues and friends who are breaking artists in new and inventive ways,” said Stern Management founder Nick Stern. “Her superpower has always been bringing out the best in people and building long-lasting partnerships based on trust, enthusiasm and a love of making cool things.”
Universal Music Sweden beaten Matthias Caliste to lead the newcomer Def Jam Recordings Sweden. The company's inaugural roster includes Asme x Sarettii, Sebastian Stakset and Zikai. His team will include Hamid Jamshidi, Hermon Alemseghed and Mathilda Sachs, as well as UMG's regional and global network. Caliste is a former member of the Swedish hip-hop group Fjärde Världen (Fourth World) and was recently in charge of Virgin Music Sweden, where he worked with artists including 23 and Asme. “Def Jam raised me!” Caliste said. “I grew up with artists like Public Enemy, EPMD, LL Cool J, Redman & Method Man, Warren G and many others who released some of their greatest albums under Def Jam. The label has a legacy that is incredibly important to hip hop as both a genre and a subculture.”
Stern Management secured the services of the industry veteran Marisa Jeffries in the newly created role of general manager. He will work closely with the label's roster, which includes The Black Angels, Phosphorescent, Metric, Finn Wolfhard and more. Jeffries was most recently head of US label partnerships at TikTok, where she found opportunities for the likes of Taylor Swift, Rosalia, Steve Lacy and Omar Apollo — quality work that earned her a spot on Bulletin boardWomen in Music list in 2023. Earlier in her career, Jeffries led marketing strategy for Sony Music's catalog division, and prior to TikTok spent over five years working in label relations at SoundCloud. “I am constantly inspired by Marisa and her community of colleagues and friends who are breaking artists in new and inventive ways,” said Stern Management founder Nick Stern. “Her superpower has always been bringing out the best in people and building long-lasting partnerships based on trust, enthusiasm and a love of making cool things.”
Jake Owen and Keith Gale launched Good Company Entertainment Recordsa record label and an artist services arm of the management company of the same name (without the “Records” division). GCE Records aims to provide marketing, digital and creative tools, global distribution and management services for new and established artists, including first-time signing Styles. “GCE Records is an alternative model for introducing artists and new music,” Gale explained. “By providing core services similar to those of a traditional record label, but dissimilar to the record label structure in several aspects, our partner artists and their teams have the creative freedom to stay true to their unique brand of music that sets them apart.”
Chris Walters he is now its financial director Gateway Studios & Production Servicesa St. Louis-based live events company providing high-tech lighting, audio and video services for artists and festivals including Phish, Greta Van Fleet, Governors Ball, Professional Bull Riders and more. The “Studio” part of the company's name refers to the massive 330,000 square foot touring and live event rehearsal campus it's currently building in STL's Chesterfield Valley area. When online, the ease will house five separate studio spaces where everything from soup to nuts can be produced and rehearsed before events and tours destined for small theaters, stages and everything in between hit the road. Walters has been at Gateway since 2021, after six years at Emerson Automation Solutions.
Top drawer merchandise elevated Robbie McPhail to vp of sales. As part of his new role, McPhail will lead sales strategies for both e-commerce and festival/tour merchandising, as well as oversee logistics, inventory and shipping. McPhail joined Los Angeles-based TDM in 2016, working on-site at festivals like Cali Vibes, Portola, Invisible Friends and dozens more. “His experience behind the booth gives him a unique perspective on what sales strategies are successful and what initiatives should be implemented going forward,” the company said.
Brett Kaminski became a partner in Felcher & Freifeld LLPwhere the Cardozo Law School degree has been posted for nearly 11 years. Most recently a senior partner, Kaminsky handles a wide range of legal matters for F&F's recording artists, songwriters, producers, managers and entertainment executives, including contract negotiations, licensing and branding matters, and performance agreements.
Charlotte-based live event management and production company Midwood Entertainment has Joel Grubb as a talent buyer and event producer. Grubb previously served as a promoter at Rival Entertainment in Atlanta, managing outdoor and special events at venues such as Sweetland Amphitheater and the Chandler Park Music festival, and contributing to booking shows at Rival venues including Eddie's Attic and The Earl. In his new role, Grubb will oversee bookings for various venues, festivals, concert series and special events throughout the Southeast and beyond. Grubb also played a key role in developing/curating the indie rock festival Highball. –Jessica Nicholson
Agua Caliente Casino employee Nick Sitar as the chain's new director of entertainment. Based in Rancho Mirage, California and reporting to Saverio Scheri, COO, Sitar is tasked with booking artists at all three ACC properties in California. Prior to joining the company, he served as regional director of entertainment programming at Caesars Entertainment, where he managed bookings for all of the company's non-Vegas properties.
ICYMI:
Christoph Behm
Christoph Behm appointed its new CEO Sony Music Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA)replacing Patrick Musatsi-Kareba, who is leaving the company at the end of August… Jonathan Roberts will spearhead UTAof the new Christian music department… and ex Bulletin board editorial director Bill Verde will drive Syracuse Universityof the new master's degree in music business as part of the school's prestigious Bandier program for recording and entertainment industries.
Last week's turntable: Warner Chappell promotes Zach Bryan's A&R Guy
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