If it’s Friday that means another spin around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music industry.
Caron Veazey and her nearly four-year-old consultancy firm Something In Common have partnered with global management company Three Six Zero, with Veazey officially joining as partner. The industry veteran brings with her singer-actress Mette Towley (aka METTE), who is fresh off a role as Video Girl Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie and recently released an EP via RCA, METTENARRATIVE. Veazey is co-founder and co-chair of the Black Music Action Coalition and prior to forming Something in Common, spent nearly a decade managing the career of Pharrell Williams during the pinnacle of his “Happy” and “Get Lucky”-fueled fame. During that time she also general-managed Pharrell’s i am OTHER creative collective.
“I believe things happen at the right time, and now could not be a more perfect time to partner with Mark and the team at Three Six Zero,” Veazey said. “I’m so impressed with what they have built, and very excited about the ambition for the future. They are a group of big forward thinkers, and I am truly energized to join the team.”
Robin Nastri joined Sony Music Publishing in the newly created role of senior vp, global business office. SMP devised the position to oversee what it calls “global transformation initiatives” like streamlining global operations and enhancing its technologies in order to boost the publisher’s growth. She reports to chief financial officer Tom Kelly. Nastri joins SMP after an inventive, 25-year tenure at IT company Accenture, where in 2019 she and her team won inventor of the year for creating the company’s market-leading automation platform. “I am deeply grateful to be joining Sony Music Publishing at such an exciting time,” she sai. “My heartfelt thanks go to Jon Platt, Tom Kelly, and the entire SMP team for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. It is a privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated team, all with a passion for changing the world by supporting the songwriters who inspire it.”
Sara Benz joined Big Machine Records as a project manager, tasked with overseeing release campaigns and driving audience growth for the label’s star-heavy artist roster (Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce and Midland, heard of’em?). Benz most recently served as a senior A&R coordinator at Universal Music following a stint at Small Giant Records + Management. “She has hit the ground running and is making a huge difference with our team and our artists,” said Big Machine Records’ GM, Clay Hunnicutt. “This is truly only the beginning for her.” Benz is based in Nashville and is at sara.benz@bmlg.net.
What about Bob Papke? Well, ASM Global has tapped him as the venue management firm’s first vp of industry relations and client development. Papke, a member of the ASM family for 33 years, will now oversee all entertainment industry relations for the 80-plus venues that the company manages, including one that he’ll continue to helm: the Maxwell C. King Center in his home base of Melbourne, Florida. He was most recently vp of live entertainment for theaters. Prior to ASM, Papke managed several venues in environs such as Jacksonville, Toronto, Miami Beach and Richmond, Virgina. “Bob has put his heart and soul into this division for years and has created a pathway for our continued success,” said Will Beekman, vp of theater operations. “He has also outlined a strategic and detailed plan for a smooth transition of leadership to ensure that our partners and venues are left in great hands. I thank him for his decades of commitment and look forward to him taking the reins and continuing what he started.”
Across the Board: Ticketmaster veteran Don Orris and former Shazam exec Will Mills joined the advisory board of Tickets for Good, a platform giving UK health and charity works access to free or discounted event tickets … HeadCount, a non-profit that enlists politically engaged music artists to help inspire youth participation in elections, appointed CAA Foundation executive Travis Merriweather to its board of directors.
Boutique publicity firm Reybee, Inc promoted Heather Hawke from publicist to senior director of publicity. Since joining Reybee in November of 2018, she has worked with or led press campaigns for artists such as Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, Spice Girls, Eve, Circa Waves and Josie Cotton, among others. The LA-based Hawke is also a veteran journalist and photographer, having founded Decorated Youth Magazine and boasting a portfolio of visual work for clients including Warner Records, Rolling Stone and The FADER. “Ever since she joined my company, I’ve been hard-pressed to find anyone who out-thinks, out-shines or out-hustles Heather,” said president and founder Rey Roldan. “She’s the best in class and provides a tremendous service to our clients across a broad array of creative opportunities. Plus, she gives me a run for the money and challenges me every day to re-think and re-learn some of my old-seated, old school music industry habits. She scares me.”
Create Music Group promoted Mark Hill Jr. to senior vp of A&R and business development. He will oversee the company’s A&R team and continue to sign and develop new acts, as well as manage recording projects for roster artists. Based in Los Angeles, Hill joined CMG in 2016 as an intern and in seven years has helped cement deals with Ice Spice and signed artists like YNW Melly and Lucki, among others. “From the very beginning of his tenure here, Mark has been a powerhouse,” said Create Music Group co-founder and chief business operator, Wayne Hampton. “His passion for music, his keen eye for talent, and his ability to lead our teams, have made him an invaluable member of the A&R team. I look forward to seeing him continue to build his career at Create.” He reports to Hampton and co-founder and CEO Jonathan Strauss.
ICYMI: Live Nation president of Asia Pacific Roger Field resigned this week after more than 13 years with the company. It’s understood that Alex Klos will now step into the permanent role as COO of LN ANZ, alongside his position as CFO … Independent promoter and entertainment company LiveCo promoted Shane Quick to president of touring and strategic expansion … Hipgnosis Songs Fund shareholders voted to bid adieu to board chair Andrew Sutch (he already signaled his departure), while directors Andrew Wilkinson and Paul Burger also resigned this week.
Rogét Chahayed’s TruSauce publishing company recently hired Warner Records veteran Sarah Ferrie as its new head of creative. Ferrie has ten years of music business experience, dating back to an A&R role at Capitol Records before stints at GODMODE and Columbia Records. In late 2018, she joined WMG, where she signed Maude Latour and Sofia Valdes, and worked on major releases including Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. Ferrie is based in Los Angeles.
Nashville-based business management and bookkeeping firm, Luma Business Services, hired Mallori Kirchenschlager as a business manager. Kirchenschlager joined the company earlier in 2023 after an eight-year tenure at business and financial management firm Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy. The Belmont University grad got her start at CAA as a music agent assistant and later was director of strategic alliances and events at the International Entertainment Buyers Association. “I am thrilled to have Mallori join the incredible team we have built,” shares Luma’s Founder and President Adrien Good. “Her talents and diverse experience across the industry are a huge asset to our clients and I am excited to work alongside her everyday.”
Milestone Publicity promoted Taran Smith and Lily Collins to account executives, and Campbell Jenkins to associate publicist. Smith has been with the Nashville-based PR agency since April of 2022, and has worked with acts including Leftover Salmon and Robbie Fulks. Collins joined the firm in August of 2022 and has assisted national and tour campaigns for Gin Blossoms, Lonestar and others. Jenkins has spent her short time at Milestone assisting other publicists on various client campaigns.
PRG hired Ariane Coldiron as senior vp of corporate events at the live project management firm. At PRG, Coldiron will be in charge of the business-y events being serviced by the company, which offers audio, lighting, video and other technical production services. She arrives after nearly a decade at trade show specialists Freeman, where as svp she drove the firm’s agency business and managed a portfolio that included Google, SalesForce and HP.
