ZaZa Kazadi Elevated at Sony Music Publishing & More Music Industry Hires

David Kalt, has been appointed to the board of directors at Guitar Center. Kalt is the founder of the platform Reverb, created to help musicians buy and sell new, used and vintage gear online.

“We went from eight consecutive quarters of decline to nine consecutive quarters of growth,” Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center, said in a statement. “We’ve got the company on a good trajectory and now we’re playing offense. David built Reverb from scratch and fundamentally changed how musicians buy and sell gear. That kind of experience matters as we think about what comes next for this company.”

Kalt added, “Guitar Center has played an iconic role in the lives of musicians for generations. I’m excited to join the Board and support the company as it continues to innovate across stores, digital, services and community. Music retail is at its best when it inspires creativity, builds trust and helps people find the right gear for their sound. Guitar Center is uniquely positioned to do that at scale.” — A.K.

Peter Shapiro has joined the board of directors for Stevie Van Zandt’s free curriculum platform, TeachRock.The platform is used by more than 80,000 educatorsfor the classroom.

Shapiro is the founder of Brooklyn Bowl and owner of the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York.

“Peter has spent his entire career building spaces and experience where music brings people together,” Bill Carbone, executive director of TeachRock, said in a statement. “What makes him such a natural fit for TeachRock is that his work has always gone beyond entertainment — it’s about connection, curiosity and community. That is exactly what we aim to bring into classrooms every day, and we’re thrilled to have his perspective and leadership on our board.”

Van Zandt added, “Music is one of the last real connective forces we have. It cuts through everything and gets people on the same wavelength. Peter’s built his career on that idea. He knows how powerful that experience can be, especially for young people, and that makes him a natural fit for what we’re doing with TeachRock.”

Shapiro said, “Music has always been a gateway to community, to understanding and to something bigger than ourselves. TeachRock is doing essential work in helping young people connect to history, culture, and each other through music. I am honored to join one of my heroes, Stevie Van Zandt, and the whole TeachRock organization to support its mission to bring that experience into classrooms across the country.” — A.K.

AEG Presents U.K.’s British Airways ARC, a new 3,800-capacity venue in London, has announced its first general manager. Robbie Powell will lead the day-to-day operations of the new space in west London’s Olympia, which opens on June 16 with a performance from Self Esteem. Other acts set to play in the venue’s opening season include Van Morrison, The Black Keys, McFly and more.

Powell previously held the position of theatre director at the New Wimbledon Theatre, and has operated senior positions at Fortune Theatre and the Barbican Centre. In a statement, Powell said “We are hugely excited to be opening this incredible venue. At British Airways ARC our ambition is to elevate the live music experience for both artists and audiences, creating a truly inclusive and thrilling environment for every person who comes to a show.”

He will report to Lucy Noble, AEG Presents’ Senior vp U.K. venues. — Thomas Smith

Anna Kolander has been promoted to partner at Activist Artists Management. Kolander has spent the past 13 years helping to grow Activist, which currently has a roster comprised of The Lumineers, Orville Peck, The Pretty Reckless, Leif Vollebekk, Young the Giant, the Grateful Dead, Dead & Company and Dwight Yoakam. In addition to her broader contributions to the company, Kolander serves as day-to-day manager for The Lumineers, where she helps oversee all aspects of the band’s global touring, recording, and long-term career strategy. Kolander will continue to operate out of Nashville while taking on an expanded leadership role across the broader Activist business as part of this promotion. — Taylor Mims

The Guild of Music Supervisors has announced new leadership starting June 1.

Lindsay Wolfington (president) and Heather Guibert (vp) are stepping down from their roles. Jonathan Leahy joins as president, Melissa Chapman as vp, Allison Wood as treasurer and Danny Exum as secretary. Wolfington and Guibert will remain on the board of directors.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with the role of president,” Leahy said in a statement. “While leadership may be changing hands, the mission of the Guild of Music Supervisors remains the same. We continue to be a fierce advocate for the power of music in visual media, and the vital role Music Supervisors play from first draft to final mix. Thank you, Lindsay and Heather, for years of hard work, dedication and exemplary stewardship.”

Chapman said, “I’m thrilled to serve as vice president of the Guild of Music Supervisors and excited to bring a Chicago spirit of community, collaboration and inclusivity to the role. As our field evolves, I remain committed to advocating for Music Supervisors and championing the value of our work across the industry.”

Alex Torrez and Emily Vincent have launched Vincent Torrez Management, an evolution of Torrez Music Group.

Torrez and Vincent are partners in the new venture, with a roster that includes Natalie Del Carmen, Mario Flores, Sophie Gault, Braxton Keith, Gabe Lee and Zach Meadows. Vincent’s decade-plus career has spanned genres including Americana, country, indie rock and pop, as Vincent has worked with artists including Tracy Lawrence, Keith Urban, Sabrina Carpenter, Hippo Campus, Low and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

“With 40 years in the music business and 14 years of growth and success in producing records and developing artists at Torrez Music Group, it became clear that forming a standalone management company was something we were ready for, and Emily Vincent was the only person I trusted to build it,” VTM co-founder Torrez said in a statement. “I’m honored to call her a partner and look forward to building VTM’s future with her leading the way.” 

“I’m proud to have built a space with Alex and our amazing artists that centers on creativity, patience and purpose. We believe meaningful careers are created by staying true to the music, not chasing trends,” VTM co-founder Vincent added. “Our focus is simple: champion artists with something real to say and help them build lasting careers based on the strength of their vision. We love what we do and who we get to do it with, and I’m so excited to continue building.”

IDOL has appointed Evan Whikehart as general manager of North America, joining from Secretly Distribution, where he built its label & shared services division. Whikehart previously directed campaigns for Hayley Williams, Sufjan Stevens, Santigold, The War on Drugs and more. Whikehart will be based in Brooklyn and oversee IDOL’s regional network including labels Mexican Summer, Moderna Records and HighNote Records.

“I have long admired IDOL’s patient and fully independent approach to building meaningful relationships and supporting long-term label and artist development,” Whikehart said in a statement. “I am incredibly excited to join the team and look forward to providing our partners with the highest standard of service across every stage of their campaigns.”

Pascal Bittard, founder and president at IDOL, “Evan brings a rare dual perspective from both the label and distribution sides that will IDOL expand our operations across North America and LATAM. But beyond his impressive track record, he understands our values as a truly independent organization.”

Jon Stone has launched boutique label BIA Records and announced Nakessa has signed an exclusive international recording and publishing agreement.

Stone was inspired to create BIA, which stands for “Bet It All,” from his own experiences navigating the industry as a creative and recording artist.

“BIA came out of a lot of things honestly — frustration, refinement, historical content, experiences from my own life, including trials and tribulations with record labels,” Stone said in a statement. “As an artist myself, I know what it’s like to have your art not be supported in the way that you believe it should be. That’s what we’re really striving to do: be a boutique label that provides superior artist-focused attention.”

Stone signed with Curb Records in 2013 as one half of country duo American Young alongside fiddler player Kristy Osmunson. In 2006, he broke into the industry as a songwriter with “Me and My Gang,” which Rascall Flatts recorded as the title track to their album. Stone’s work has been recorded by Kenny Chsney, Jerrod Niemann and Blake Shelton. — A.K.

Hey Now Records has expanded its staff with the addition of its marketing team. Melissa McGreevy has been named senior director digital marketing, Samantha Kane has been named as director, marketing, and Aidan Brown joins as digital marketing coordinator.

“Reaching people in ways that are meaningful is critical at this juncture,” said Hey Now Records president/co-founder Kris Lamb in a statement. “Melissa, Samantha and Aidan all believe in the power of what music means and why the artists who make that music matter. Each has a very specific take, not just on how they execute their job, but how to communicate so people respond.”

McGreevy has previously worked at Warner Records and the Clever Influencer Marketing Agency. Kane previously worked at the Grand Ole Opry, Big Machine Label Group and the Country Music Association. Prior to graduation from the University of Miami, Brown interned at Big Machine Label Group and Playdate Management.

Hey Now Records was founded by Clint Higham, Kenny Chesney, John Esposito and Kris Lamb, with Chesney as its flagship artist.
 

The wellness-focused ambient music label founded by Ron Walker, Sean Wharton and Eric Wilkinson, Hit Snooze, has officially launched. The label is distributed globally by The Orchard.

Walker serves as the label’s managing director, with Wharton as head of A&R and in-house producer and Wilkinson as head of creative and brand development.

Walker previously served as vp of global streaming and commercial partnerships at Thrive and director of streaming and playlist strategy at Capitol Records.

“We saw a massive opportunity in ambient music that wasn’t being fully realized — wellness not just for listeners, but for the creators as well,” Walker said in a statement. “There’s an entire generation of producers and songwriters with strong technical chops who are burned out by the hamster wheel of the modern release cycle. Hit Snooze creates a lane where their skills can translate into something sustainable, scalable and creatively fulfilling.”

Hit Snooze aims to collaborate with artists maintaining active projects in indie, electronic, pop and dance music, with a press release stating the label handles branding, artwork and release strategy.

Wharton said, “Hit Snooze started at a moment when I’d fallen out of love with the pressure loop of being an artist — constant output, constant performance, constant ‘content.’ The idea for this label flipped the process completely. It’s purely about craft and intention, with only one goal: make something that feels peaceful. It’s been incredibly inspiring to see artists connect with, and genuinely thrive within, this ethos.” — A.K.

Three Six Zero announced the launch of its sports management division, Three Six Zero Sports, in partnership with PRJCT:A founder Florian Schroeder. With the launch, Schroeder brings with him clients Reece James, Sam Kerr and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“Every week, the connection between sport and traditional entertainment becomes more evident,” Mark Gillespie, founder and CEO of Three Six Zero, said in a statement. “As partners at Three Six Zero, we’re proud to welcome Flo into the family and extend our representation into sport, a natural evolution for the company. We’re thrilled for Flo and his athletes to join our ecosystem, and together we look forward to setting new standards in how sport and entertainment intersect.”

Schroeder added, “I’m thrilled to join forces with Mark and the wider team at Three Six Zero to build a home for the next generation of athletes and blur the lines between sports, music and entertainment.” — A.K.

Breakaway has appointed Veenerick “Veen” Vos van Liempt as executive vp of brand partnerships and revenue. Based out of New York City, he will oversee Breakaway’s full sales organization and lead broader revenue strategy across sponsorships, partnerships and commercial growth initiatives.

“I’m excited to join the Breakaway team, a founder-led group with impressive investor backing and a builder’s mindset I deeply respect,” Vos van Liempt said in a statement. “What sets this moment apart are Breakaways distinct business u nits, which give the world’s leading brands a unique way to grow culture with us, and meaningfully shape this generation’s relationship with music and live entertainment. I couldn’t be more bullish on the journey ahead.”

Adam Lynn, co-founder and CEO of Breakaway, said, “As we continue building one of the most influential independent live entertainment platforms in the country, his leadership will play a critical role in how we scale partnerships, create long-term enterprise value a, and define new cultural platforms for both fans and brands alike.” — A.K.

Shelby Short has joined Cupid Theory as an artist manager, along with a roster that includes Not Enough Space, VCTMS, Summer Hoop and Pretty Pity. Shelby has over 15 years of experience in the music industry with roles including live event production, tour management, promotion and artist development.

“I’m excited to be a part of expanding an already incredible team at Cupid Theory,” Short said in a statement. “Can’t wait to see where our combined knowledge and resources will push the team as we continue to grow together.”

Kyle Hulett, founder, said, “Shelby is cut from the same cloth that all of us at Cupid Theory embody. Self-started empowerment of others, experience in many positions and unyielding dedication to his craft. I am deeply excited to welcome another one of our own to the table.” — A.K.

Secret City is expanding into the U.S., and the Montreal-based indie label announced its first New York City-based hire with Jessica Lechtenberg joining as director of marketing.

Lechtenberg brings 15 years of experience in marketing and artist relations, with experience in radio and marketing at Beggars Group and Verve Label Group. Secret City is currently celebrating its 20^th anniversary. — A.K.

Boutique private aviation company Rair Aviation is expanding with the launch of its Entertainment & Touring Division, bringing in longtime tour manager Dan McKay to oversee the department. McKay will work directly with artists, managers and production teams, coordinating travel solutions.

“At the end of the day, touring is about trust,” McKay said in a statement. “Artists and crews need partners who understand the pressure, the moving pieces and how quickly things can change. Having spent years on the road myself, I know how important it is to have a team that can adapt quickly while making travel feel effortless.”

Sean McClenahan, president of Rair Aviation, said, “Entertainment travel requires a different level of understanding and execution. This division allows us to bring together aviation, hospitality and entertainment expertise in a way that truly supports artists at the highest level.” — A.K.

Nashville-based full-service marketing agency Results Global has announced three new hires and three internal promotions.

“Results Global has always focused on building a team that brings creativity, passion, and exceptional work to our clients,” agency co-heads John Zarling and Jackie Campbell said in a joint statement. “As the agency continues to grow, we’re proud to welcome new talent while recognizing the team members who have grown alongside us and helped shape this next chapter.”

Katherine Birschbach joins as account director. She previously served at GMR Marketing, and prior to that she held artist marketing and project management roles at Big Machine Label Group, where she supported artists including Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Brett Young and Rascall Flatts.

Cara Fallon joins as social media manager, and Alex Handl joins as marketing and communications coordinator.  Aden Henk has been promoted to account manager, Cami Cradock to marketing operations specialist and Samantha Parrish to digital marketing specialist. — A.K.