Lori Christian.

Universal Music Group Nashville has promoted Lori Christian to Senior Vice President of Marketing. In her new role, Christian will oversee Media Marketing, Brands & Sponsorship, International Marketing and Creative Services departments for the label group’s 36 artists, in addition to managing the media site Sounds Like Nashville.

UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe says, “I am so excited to expand the role of Lori Christian to SVP Marketing. Her ability to see the big picture and weave our artists narratives into the public’s consciousness has been second to none and expanding her duties to link her skills across the broader base of marketing will be such an incredible asset. I am so excited to see Lori shine in her new role.”

She has overseen the launches of projects from Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan, among others, as well as, development to now multi-platinum-selling status for artists including Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis and Sam Hunt. Christian was instrumental in the launch of last year’s movie soundtrack for Breakthrough featuring the Academy Award nominated “I’m Standing With You” performed by UMG Nashville’s recent artist addition Chrissy Metz.

Christian has led UMG Nashville’s publicity department since the 2012 merger of EMI and Universal Music Group, and rose to the role of SVP, Media Marketing. Christian previously oversaw the publicity department at Capitol Records Nashville and also handled publicity for Sony Music’s RCA Records label. Prior to moving to Nashville in 2005, she worked at NBC, Rogers & Cowan, Goodman Media and Paul Freundlich & Associates in New York.

Sony Music Group announced on Friday, June 5, the launch of a $100 million fund to support social justice and anti-racist initiatives around the world.

The company, inclusive of all of its recorded music and content divisions and music publishing company, will immediately begin to donate to organizations that foster equal rights.

In making the announcement, Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group, said, “Racial injustice is a global issue that affects our artists, songwriters, our people and of course society at large. We stand against discrimination everywhere and we will take action accordingly with our community fully involved in effectively using these funds.”

Last week, Warner Music Group—in partnership with the Blavatnik Family—announced the launch of its own $100 million fund to support charitable causes related to the music industry, social justice and campaigns against violence and racism.

On June 4, Universal Music Group announced it will invest in a $25 million “Change Fund” to support the black community, as well as a Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC) to help fight for equality, justice and inclusion.

Google announced in an email to G Suite users on Friday, June 5, that Currents, the Google+ replacement, will be available to users beginning July 6. Google touts Currents as a tool where companies can “build a productive community where everyone stays on the same page.” Currents has an updated look and feel to Google+ and provides additional features for users and administrators.

In April 2019, Google shut down Google+ due to low interest and usage of the social network product and announced the beta launch of Currents. After Currents becomes generally available on July 6, 2020, users and their organization’s existing Google+ content will be automatically transitioned to Currents.

Currents includes a home stream and allows sharing of links, images, etc. Additionally, the new Currents mobile app will replace the Google+ iOS and Android mobile apps, which will no longer be supported. After July 6, 2020, it will not be possible to opt out of Currents or revert back to Google+.

In Currents, enterprise administrators will have the ability to enable certain content moderation and administrative privileges for users in their organization.

The rollout of Currents occurs during a time when many are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currents is not a social media platform and its look is different from Google+, more closely resembling Slack or Microsoft Teams products.

Willie Nelson. Photo: Pamela Springsteen

Willie Nelson and wife Annie Nelson will welcome James Taylor, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, and more as part of A Night For Austin, a benefit concert to aid those in Austin, Texas, who have been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two-hour event, which premieres June 10 at 8 p.m. CT, will be televised locally on CBS Austin (KEYE) and available for viewing via livestream.

The concert event is produced by Luck Productions. Viewers can also make donations virtually, with all proceeds benefiting the Austin Community Foundation’s Fund, which will help MusiCares Austin, People Fund, Central Texas Food Bank, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, and other charities.

“We were incredibly honored and excited that Paul Simon and his team tapped Luck to produce this event and to benefit our own community of Austin,” said Matt Bizer, co-founder of Luck Productions. “It means a lot for us to be able to support this community that has always inspired and provided for us and we are excited to be doing it alongside an amazing group of talented individuals, organizations, artists who themselves represent the unique fabric and soul that makes Austin our home.”

Also appearing are Edie Brickell, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, John Hiatt, Jerry Douglas, Boz Scaggs, Ryan Bingham, Black Pumas, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, Augie Meyers with Los Texmaniacs, Flaco Jiménez with Los Texmaniacs, Patty Griffin, Alejandro Escovedo, Lukas Nelson, Gary Clark Jr., Britt Daniel (Spoon), Jimmie Vaughan and The Tilt-a-Whirl Band, David Ramirez, Charlie Sexton with Doyle Bramhall II, Terry Allen, Norah Jones, Ethan Hawke, Renée Zellweger, Woody Harrelson, and Owen Wilson.