Musical Chairs: New host for Countryfolk; SCA hires Richard Smith; New addition to JB Hi-Fi board; ASCAP creates Global Customer Service unit

Robyn Archer reappointed Deputy Chair at Aust. Council

Robyn Archer AO was reappointed Deputy Chair of the Australia Council board, following her tenure between July 1 2013 and June 30 2015. Given her term ran out two months ago, there were fears that her position was compromised by her outspoken comments by the Federal Government’s slashing of the Council’s budget. But Federal Arts Minister Senator George Brandis congratulated her on her reappointment, saying, “Ms Archer has demonstrated strong governance and leadership skills during her tenure on the board of the Australia Council.”

SCA announces Richard Smith as Head of Digital Design

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) today announced the appointment of Richard Smith (pictured) as Head of Digital Design, effective immediately. With over 16 years experience in both London and Sydney, Smith has worked with Commonwealth Bank (where he helped launch the successful re-brand of 'Can'), Google, Qantas and McDonald's, as well as top agencies VML and M&C Saatchi. 

Tim Polton back at Music Feeds

Tim Polton has returned to Evolve Media’s online Australian site Music Feeds as Sales and Integration Manager after a stint in London. Polton was one of the site’s original team as Content and Business Development Manager. Coming from a music and digital background, his London sojourn saw him leading digital and social content and advertising for the ATP (All Tomorrows Parties) festival.

Turner exits NEW FM

Jo Turner leaves NEW FM 105.3 in Newcastle, to be replaced by weekend presenter Cathy Dinn formerly with Smoothfm in Melbourne and Sydney.

New host for Countryfolk

Singer songwriter Kylie-Adams Collier is the new presenter of Community Radio Network’s Sunday breakfast show Countryfolk Around Australia. She replaces long-time host Declan O’Callaghan, who after 16 years has returned to Ireland. Collier’s track record includes triple j, and Sydney’s FBi, and was most recently presenting Custom Country on Sydney’s Radio Northern Beaches.

UMA promotes Tom Gilmore

Universal Music Australia’s Pricing & Commercial Analyst Tom Gilmore has been promoted to Digital Catalogue Campaign Manager, effective immediately.

Gilmore, an ex-TMN staffer, is responsible for the creation, marketing and management of digital catalogue campaigns and products. Working closely with the Digital Sales team, Gilmore reports to Liam Dennis.

Gilmore joined UMA’s Commercial Insight & Strategy team in October 2013 following his position as Charts and Music Manager at TMN and his marketing role at SBA Music.

ASCAP creates Global Customer Service unit

US performing rights society ASCAP set up a new Global Customer Service unit to centralise (and expand) its services to its songwriter and publisher members and partners around the world. It will be headed by Los Angeles-based DeDe Burns in the newly created role of Vice President, Global Customer Services. She was previously its Vice President of Membership and Strategic Services.

New addition to JB Hi-Fi board

Retail sector veteran Wai Tang will join JB Hi-Fi’s board mid-September. She was Operations Manager at Just Group, business CEO of the Peter Alexander sleepwear business, GM of Business Development for Pacific Brands and a current Director of Melbourne Festival and property group Federation Centres.

JB’s board expansion comes after its record profits of nearly $137 million and increased sales of 4.8% to $3.65 billion in the 12 months to the end of June.

CueSongs set to expand global business

UK-based digital licensing company CueSongs will work untapped aspects of the international market by bringing in Paul Sampson as SVP of Global Business Development. His brief is to increase revenue streams for rights holder partners and artists, and identifying fresh opportunities across new media platforms. Sampson spent five years with Extreme Music as LA-based Director of Sales and Marketing and VP of Business Development, Europe at Music Dealers.

Nova appoints Adelaide General Manager

Neil O’Reilly is the General Manager for Nova 919 and FIVEaa in Adelaide. Responsible for all financial aspects of Nova 919 and FIVEaa, O’Reilly also has a broader function within NOVA Entertainment, managing a number of strategic commercial projects for the group. O’Reilly joined Nova in 2009 as Adelaide’s Financial Controller and in April this year took on the additional role of Acting General Manager for the station.

Alison Donnellan at Triple M Brisbane

After a number of stints on regional radio, Alison Donnellan is joining Triple M Brisbane as announcer and Operations Manager. She is currently on-air presenter and Assistant Content Director at Star FM and The River Albury, and previously worked in Tamworth, Dubbo and. Shepparton.

Former Sydney, Darwin, festivals Programmer at Polyglot

Former programmer for the Sydney Festival and Program Manager for the Darwin Festival, Viv Rosman, is new Executive Producer and co-CEO (with Artistic Director Sue Giles) at Polyglot Theatre. With 17 years in the arts sector, Rosman was also Deputy GM of Griffin Theatre Company and established the successful Managing and Producing Services (MAPS NSW) program at Performing Lines. She replaces Tamara Harrison who left Polygot to take over Head of Development at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).

Two new senior additions at Launch Group

Communications agency Launch Group, which works the technology, innovation and marketing sectors, added two new senior executives. Len Joynson is new GM and former tech journalist Matthew Sainsbury as Senior Account Manager.

Former Nielsen media head joins Ebiquity

Peter Cornelius, who left Nielsen as its MD of media in 2012 is Director of Client Service at media auditing firm Ebiquity.

Lara Sinclair to head content at tech start-up

After years of writing about marketing and marketing technology for B&T and The Australian in editing positions, Lara Sinclair has moved in “a new challenge” to Brisbane-based marketing technology start-up Simple as Head of Content.

Scales tip at Fox International

Fox International Channels Australia brought in former Fremantle Media Partnership Manager Julia Scales as its new Director of Advertising and Partnerships.