Pictured (L–R, top row): Ellen Truley, Lindsey Major and Andrew Mitchell; (L–R, bottom row): Joya Carmichael and Rick Marshall

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has promoted five existing leaders in an effort to enhance its tools, resources and operations for the benefit of its members and other stakeholders.

Since before The MLC began full operations, Ellen Truley has led outreach and educational activities that seek to reach rightsholders wherever they are located, while also strengthening partnerships and industry relations. To further these endeavors, she has been elevated to Chief Marketing & External Affairs Officer and will continue to develop and execute The MLC’s overall marketing strategy and oversee the organization’s advertising, marketing and communications efforts as well as coordinate its educational activities, songwriter relations, industry partnerships, government relations and other external affairs.

Lindsey Major, who created and has since managed The MLC’s Support Team, has risen to Chief Member Experience Officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for designing, implementing and coordinating the delivery of world-class experiences to the organization’s membership as well as the development and enhancement of its tools that enable members to register works, claim their shares of previously-registered works, submit proposed matches of their works to unmatched usage and more.

Having led The MLC’s matching efforts since the beginning, Andrew Mitchell has been promoted to Chief Analytics & Automation Officer. In this new position, he will continue to oversee matching, including the company’s internal Matching Team and its recently-announced Supplemental Matching Vendor Network, while designing, developing and implementing new strategies for harnessing data, leading fraud prevention efforts and developing new ways to automate The MLC’s internal business processes.

Joya Carmichael has spearheaded the organization’s attempts to create, document and manage the end-to-end royalty distribution process starting with the very first monthly royalty distribution. To build upon that work, she has been elevated to Chief Administrative Officer and will continue to lead the team that coordinates and manages The MLC’s end-to-end royalty distribution process, while expanding her remit to manage other key internal processes and lead various process documentation and process improvement initiatives for the company.

Rick Marshall has worked to ensure The MLC’s compliance with its statutory and regulatory obligations since joining the organization in 2021 in addition to managing its interactions with DSPs and the blanket compulsory licensing process. Having risen to General Counsel earlier this summer, he now leads The MLC’s in-house legal team and coordinates all of the organization’s legal matters, including its interactions with the U.S. Copyright Office, the conduct of its important enforcement obligations under the Music Modernization Act (MMA), the management of any pending litigations as well as the provision of legal advice and guidance to the rest of The MLC’s team.

Pictured (L–R, back row): Brannen Carter, Carla Wallace, Jacee Badeaux and Alana Morgan; (front row): Trent Tomlinson

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed established songwriter Trent Tomlinson.

With a career spanning over two decades, Tomlinson has penned hits including No. 1 single “Damn Strait” by Scotty McCreery and RIAA Black Diamond-Certified track “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young, which earned a BMI Song of the Year award. His songwriting work has garnered more than three billion streams across platforms.

As a solo artist, Tomlinson has made his mark in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with singles like “One Wing In The Fire,” “She Just Might Have Her Radio On” and “Drunker Than Me,” and has become an in-demand collaborator for Lainey Wilson, George Strait, Chris Young, Sara Evans and more.

“Trent Tomlinson is a world-class songwriter who has honed his craft through dedication and hard work,” says Carla Wallace, Co-Founder, Big Yellow Dog Music. “I’m thrilled to work with him and proud to welcome him to the Big Yellow Dog Music family.”

“What an honor and privilege to be a part of such an iconic company as Big Yellow Dog,” shares Tomlinson. “From the very first meeting, I knew it’s where I wanted and needed to be. The ownership and staff shared my same passion for the hustle, and the camaraderie was second to none of any place I had ever been professionally. Thank you, Carla and Kerry.”

Emily Scerri

Outback Presents has elevated Emily Scerri to Vice President of Entertainment Strategy.

Based in Nashville, Scerri most recently served as Director of Touring. In her new role, she will continue to expand the live entertainment company’s footprint and drive the success of its special events and music initiatives, working alongside Co-CEO Mike Smardak and Outback Presents’ Board of Directors.

The Brisbane, Australia native started her career working in the box office for music festivals, including Byron Bay Bluesfest, Soundwave and CMC Rocks, with family-owned, independent ticketing and marketing company Emedia Campaigns. She then went on to assist with operations and artist liaison for the Big Pineapple Music Festival and Bondi Beachfest.

Later, Scerri moved to Los Angeles and spent time at Dick Clark Productions, where she assisted with talent booking for the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), American Music Awards and Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve. Scerri also worked in AEG Presents’ Comedy and Global Touring departments. While at Outback Presents, she has been instrumental in overseeing and leading projects for acts like The Kid Laroi, Erykah Badu, Rauw Alejandro, Romeo Santos and America.

“Emily exhibits every attribute of success needed for a tremendous career in this business: integrity, work ethic and core promoter values,” says Smardak. “I am very excited to see all of the things she will accomplish in the future, and I am eager to continue supporting her initiatives.”

“I’m beyond excited to be part of Outback Presents’ continued growth and proud to share the same values of innovation and the boutique approach of an independent promoter,” Scerri shares. “Being part of this team has been an incredible journey so far, and I’m especially grateful to work alongside Mike Smardak. His mentorship, support and extensive industry insight have been invaluable. I’m eager to continue expanding our reach and impact in the live entertainment space.”