Industrial Strength: Musical Chairs – Oct 3, 2013

Bart Cools to lead global EDM strategy at Warner

Warner Recorded Music is taking a global approach to its dance acts. It set up a new position, EVP, global A&R and marketing of dance music. Filling it is Bart Cools, who led the EMI Dance Network when the company was breaking David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz. Reporting to Atlantic Records chairman and CEO Craig Kallman, he will lead Warner’s global dance music strategy, leveraging global A&R and marketing teams as well as to identify leading dance music talent and develop long-term artist careers across all revenue streams as recorded music, live gigs, synchronisation, merchandise, sponsorship and brand partnerships.

Bianca Jung leaving Planet

After ten years at MGM affiliate The Planet Company, Bianca Jung is leaving on October 4 as she is moving to New York. Jung was among the original staffers when Planet was set up by Warren Fahey in the late 1990s, after which it was acquired by MGM and Graeme Regan (co founder of Hot Records) came on board on 1996 and expanded its distribution business.

New content directors for Triple M Brisbane, Adelaide…

Corey Kay, content director at 5MMM Adelaide is the new content director at 4MMM Brisbane, replacing Rex Morris. Moving to Brisbane marks a family reunion: his father Moyd co-hosts 4BC’s afternoon program. Meantime, 5MMM Adelaide has promoted breakfast anchor John Bleby to new CD. Both positions are effective October 14.

…while SCA Canberra loses Drew Chapman

Southern Cross Austereo’s content director in Canberra, Drew Chapman, is moving to Grant Broadcasters’ River 949 in Ipswich, Queensland. Chapman, who was most recently content director of Mix 106.3 and 104.7 Canberra, was previously also at Triple M in Brisbane and Sydney.

US TV show for Sophie Monk

Sophie Monk, whose new weekend breakfast radio show with comedian Dave Thornton just launched on Southern Cross Austereo’s Today, also has a TV stint in America. She co-hosts a TV Guide Network show called Live from Mount Richmore based in Nashville with Celebrity Apprentice winner John Rich. “It can get crazy,” Monk says. “I’m back living on the Gold Coast, record the radio show in Melbourne, and then the TV show in Nashville. But to get a US show and live in Australia is a dream come true.”

Leigh McGrane revives Against The Grain Publicity

After a sojourn in Europe, Leigh McGrane has revived his Adelaide-based Against The Grain Publicity (www.atgpublicity.com.au) and working with two South Australian acts. The Baker Suite release a new album Your Dreaming Self on October 11 after whirlwind European tour to launch the album in Germany and the Czech Republic. Former Shaolin Afronauts member Ross McHenry has his debut solo album Distant Oceans out on October 28. Inspired by the Los Angeles beat scene and the worldwide new jazz movement, Distant Oceans features global innovators as producer and keyboardist Mark de Clive Lowe, Myele Manzanza of NZ ensemble Electric Wire Hustle, multi-instrumentalist and composer Adam Page and leading Australian instrumentalists Dylan Marshall, Jon Hunt and Luca Spiler.

PledgeMusic expanding…

PledgeMusic is poised to expand its partnerships with major and indie labels along with a variety of DSPs for music consumers. It’s appointed John Lenac, a biz veteran of 20 years, as its head of business development. Based in Los Angeles, Lenac was founder/CEO at TechIT Media Group, head of Programming and Artist/Label Relations at Yahoo! Music and worked at HITS Magazine, TVT Records and a number of radio stations.

…so does The Voice maker Talpa

Dutch producer Talpa, the maker of hit talent formats as The Voice, The Winner Is… and The Voice Kids is on a global expansion. Talpa tends to try out its formats in the Netherlands before rolling them out internationally. It has made some new appointments to its International division. Dutch TV veteran Etienne de Jong fills the newly-created position of head of international productions to support local producers around the world as they adapt Talpa shows. Gepke Nederlof is promoted to head of sales to oversee all international licensing deals. The Voice has landed in 140 countries, while The Winner Is… and I Love My Country have now been sold to more than 30 countries each. Australia’s Nine Network in August acquired The Voice Kids. Aimed at 8 to 14 year old singers, it is to be co-produced with Shine Australia for a 2014 launch. The format has been bought in 15 territories and particularly high rating in The Netherlands and in the Hispanic US.

Screen Australia’s Martha Coleman heads to Goalpost Pictures

Screen Australia’s head of development Martha Coleman leaves in December to become a producer of film and television at Goalpost Pictures. Coleman was previously based in the UK as head of development at Icon Entertainment International, and of creative affairs at Material Entertainment.

New owners for Sydney venues

Live music venue King Street Brewhouse has a new owner. Melbourne-based property operators Red Rock Leisure Group have snapped up the 1315 sq.m venue King Street Wharf which, aside from the band room, includes a micro-brewery, large dining and bar areas and a beer garden. Meantime, Crown Hotel in Surry Hills has been bought by Lantern Hotel Group from Savage Hotel Management for a reported $18 million.

Screen Queensland CEO on extended leave

Screen Queensland CEO Bryan Lowe is on leave since investigation was launched into claims of workplace bullying, the Brisbane Courier Mail reported. While an external investigation continues, the whisper is he will not return. Seven senior staffers left this year after Lowe took over.