In late November 2024, the music industry witnessed a flurry of hires, promotions, and exits. TuneCore named Lucy Huang (pictured) as its chief technology and product officer. This move showcases the industry's continuous evolution and the importance of having skilled professionals in key positions. Photo Credit: TuneCore.

Unveiling the Latest in Music Industry Hires and Promotions

Triller's New CEO

The revamped Triller Group has brought on former TikTok head of product Sean Kim as the CEO of its namesake app. It is expected that the "next generation" of this app will be ready by the first quarter of 2025. This indicates a significant shift in the Triller's leadership and its future plans.Triller's new direction under Sean Kim's leadership is likely to bring fresh ideas and strategies to the platform. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the app's user base and its position in the highly competitive music streaming market.

Ador's Resignation and Parent Company Ties

Min Hee-Jin resigned from Ador after a months-long battle with the company's Hybe parent. This event highlights the challenges and dynamics within the music industry, especially when it comes to corporate relationships and internal conflicts.Such resignations can have a ripple effect on the company and its operations. It may lead to changes in strategies and a reevaluation of the company's future plans.

AIM's Board Additions

The Association of Independent Music has added four board members: Because's Junior Foster, Warp's Leah Ellis, Cherry Red's Matt Bristow, and Domino's Rachel Buswell. Additionally, Gee Davy, previously interim CEO, has assumed the role on a permanent basis.These new board members bring diverse perspectives and expertise to AIM. Their contributions are expected to enhance the organization's activities and influence in the independent music sector.

Concord's Advisory Board Launch

Concord has formally launched its advisory board with 11 members: Former Glu Mobile CEO Greg Ballard, former Microsoft exec Liat Ben-Zur, writer Janicza Bravo, DASH Entertainment co-founder Darien Dash, SaveLive CEO Marc Geiger, Alpha Edison's Nick Grouf, Raymond James Financial's TJ Haynes-Morgan, former Concord CEO Scott Pascucci, former longtime Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber, former Concord exec Tom Whalley, and Concord co-founder Jake Wisely.This advisory board will play a crucial role in guiding Concord's future decisions and strategies. The diverse backgrounds of the members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

FCC's Leadership Change

President-elect Trump has selected Brendan Carr to lead the Federal Communications Commission, and current chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel intends to step down on January 20th, 2025. This change in leadership at the FCC is likely to have implications for the music industry and its regulatory environment.The new leadership at the FCC will bring different priorities and approaches, which could impact various aspects of the music industry, such as media regulations and broadband access.

Believe + TuneCore's Leadership Shifts

Believe has elevated Liliana Abudalo (based in Dubai) from head of sales to head of label and artist solutions for MENA. Meanwhile, Paris-based Celine Hitti, who has been with Believe for about six years, has been promoted to head of artist services for MENA.These promotions within Believe + TuneCore demonstrate the company's recognition of the importance of regional expertise and the need for strong leadership in different markets.

Orfium's New Chief Transformation Officer

Rob Wells' Orfium has tapped former Slack senior director of infrastructure Vanessa Brennan as its first chief transformation officer. This appointment shows Orfium's commitment to driving innovation and transformation within the organization.Vanessa Brennan's experience and expertise are expected to bring new perspectives and strategies to Orfium, helping the company adapt to the changing music industry landscape.

NIVA's Advisory Board Addition

Bandsintown co-founder and managing partner Fabrice Sergent has joined the National Independent Venue Association's advisory board. This addition strengthens the association's network and provides valuable insights from a key player in the music venue industry.Fabrice Sergent's involvement will likely contribute to the association's efforts in advocating for the interests of independent venues and promoting the growth of the live music scene.

ADA's Leadership Appointments

Warner Music's ADA has named Rasti Sryantoro (previously with Sony Music) head of ADA Indonesia and confirmed Arisa Maruekatat (formerly part of TikTok and GMM Grammy) as head of ADA Thailand.These leadership appointments in ADA's regional operations highlight the importance of local expertise and market knowledge. It will be interesting to see how these leaders shape ADA's presence in their respective countries.

Smirnoff's Unique Partnership

Smirnoff has announced Troye Sivan as "Chief Vibes OFFicer," which, while "not a real title," is meant to kick off "an exciting new multi-year partnership."This unconventional title and partnership demonstrate Smirnoff's creative approach to marketing and its ability to engage with popular artists in unique ways.

OVG and Live Nation Canada's Hiring

Irving Azoff's Oak View Group and Live Nation Canada have hired Nick DeLuco (who joins from OEG) as Hamilton Arena's SVP and GM. This hiring indicates the continued growth and expansion of these entertainment giants in the Canadian market.Nick DeLuco's appointment brings new leadership and expertise to Hamilton Arena, which is likely to have a positive impact on the venue's operations and events.

Spotify's Team Changes

Over 10-year Spotify team member Monica Herrera Damashek's existing role (head of label partnerships for North America) has expanded to also include artist tie-ups. Additionally, the label-partnerships team itself has seen five-year Spotify higher-up Jesse Jacobsen transition to head of East Coast, while eight-year company vet Jana Coffey is holding the same role for the West Coast and Tim Foisset remains label-partnerships head for Nashville and Canada.These changes within Spotify's team reflect the company's focus on expanding its reach and influence in the music industry. The expanded roles and leadership transitions will likely bring new energy and strategies to Spotify's label partnerships.

Republic Records' New Chief Revenue Officer

Multi-decade Universal Music and Republic exec Kevin Lipson has become Republic Records' first chief revenue officer. This appointment shows Republic Records' commitment to driving revenue growth and optimizing its business operations.Kevin Lipson's experience and expertise will be crucial in helping Republic Records navigate the competitive music market and achieve its financial goals.

Sony Music Nashville's Leadership Changes

Taylor Lindsey will replace outgoing Sony Music Nashville head Randy Goodman in January, and Ken Robold is being promoted to president and COO.These leadership changes in Sony Music Nashville signal a new era for the label. Taylor Lindsey's appointment and Ken Robold's promotion bring fresh perspectives and leadership to the organization.