Tag Archive for: In Charge

Van Fletcher Joins Chasin

/by

Van Fletcher

Longtime industry executive Van Fletcher is on board as President of a new company, Chasin Music Group.

Founded by John Acunto and Gary Hohman, Chasin’s first initiative is the Chasin Hits mobile phone music application, being developed and distributed by seasoned mobile services company Handmark.

The Chasin Hits application will be available to all mobile service providers and works on any mobile platform. Chasin Hits offers a proprietary interface that is designed for easy content management and updates, it offers targeted demographic gathering and reporting, combined social networking capabilities, sales reporting and more.

Chasin Music Group will have its primary offices in New York and Nashville as well as satellite offices in other cities to be announced.

Fletcher, who most recently spent eight years as Sr. VP of Sales and Operations at Universal Records South, is an equity partner in Chasin. Prior to his post at Universal, he was Exec. VP & GM at Virgin Records and Sr. VP of Sales and Branch Distribution for Polygram. Fletcher can be reached at van@chasinmusicgroup.com.

SESAC Promotes Tim Fink

/by

SESAC has promoted Tim Fink to Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. The 20-year veteran of the performing rights organization previously served as Associate Vice-President, Writer/Publisher Relations.

Since joining SESAC in 1990, Fink has held positions on the licensing and affiliations sides of the company. Appointed the head of the Nashville Writer/Publisher Relations team in 2002 as Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Fink works with songwriters and publishers across a wide range of genres.

“Tim Fink has proven himself to be a talented and dedicated executive, a consummate professional,” said Trevor Gale, Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. “Tim possesses great instincts and a keen insight when identifying and nurturing talent which has played an integral part in SESAC’s remarkable growth. SESAC is delighted to announce this much deserved promotion and we all look forward to continuing on with providing unprecedented service and support to our songwriter and publishing affiliates.”

BMG, Huff, Franklin Open Publishing Company

/by

Dann Huff, Darrell Franklin

BMG Rights Management has partnered with renowned producer Dann Huff and publisher Darrell Franklin to form BMG Rights Management Nashville. The full-service publishing company launches with a stable of writers including busbee, Jonathan Singleton, and Neil Thrasher.

BMG Rights Management, the international group of music publishing companies which recently purchased Huff’s Crosstown Songs is also in agreement to acquire Cherry Lane Music Publishing.

Huff, long recognized as one of Nashville’s most innovative and successful producers, was recently named Billboard’s Country Producer of the Decade and was the recipient of the 2010 Producer of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music. Among the many artists he has produced are Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Lonestar, Jewel, Julianne Hough, and Steel Magnolia.

Franklin has worked together with Huff since 2000 in connection with Dann’s producing projects and in the operation of the music publishing companies Diver Dann Music and Crosstown Songs Nashville. He is son of renowned pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin.

“We are excited to be associated with creative individuals of the caliber of Dann Huff and Darrell Franklin,” said BMG’s Chief Operating Officer Laurent Hubert. “We look forward to building a successful Nashville operation by acquiring significant catalogs and signing top songwriters; BMG Nashville will create a publishing environment that fosters and supports their endeavors.”

“The chance for Darrell and me to work with music publishing executives like Hartwig Masuch, Laurent Hubert, and Deirdre O’Hara is a dream come true,” said Huff. “It is an honor to be included as part of a truly international publishing company like BMG which offers our writers the opportunity to expand their success in Nashville and throughout the world.”

BMG Rights Nashville will provide full creative, administrative, marketing and synch support. It will maintain offices at 2737 Larmon Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204. Phone: 615.385.2058

Since its founding in late 2008, BMG has established offices in New York and Los Angeles, and affiliated offices in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Benelux countries, and Scandinavia. Aside from the high profile acquisition of Crosstown Songs and the agreement to purchase Cherry Lane Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management has within the past year acquired a number of other music publishing catalogs. It has also signed agreements with artists and producers including Leona Lewis, Jim Beanz, and The Crystal Method and now represents the rights to more than 75,000 songs and recordings.

Genovese To Head New Country Video Network

/by

Tammy Genovese has been tapped by new video network, The Country Network (“TCN”), to serve as President, TCN Nashville. She has already consolidated the company’s operations to Nashville and will open the principle office at 40 Music Square West, Nashville, Tennessee 37212 on Monday, April 19.

The Country Network is currently airing in HD on WIYC-DT Montgomery, AL and will begin national and international rollout during CMA Music Festival June 10, 2010.

TCN broadcast network will be programmed solely with country music videos, and original programs focusing on artists and fans. The fan-centric, interactive network will offer videos from current and rising stars, as well as heritage artists. Owned and operated by Artists and Fans Network, Inc., TCN is striving to blend local and national broadcasting, mobile devices, and the web, into a seamless music video experience.

Genovese, who was most recently CEO of the Country Music Association, replaces TCN Co-Founder, President and COO Warren Hansen. She will report directly to the executive committee. In this new position, Genovese will be responsible for all non-broadcast operations and will work laterally to the president of the TCN Stations Group. Reporting directly to Genovese will be Kim Bullard, EVP of production; Chad Brock, programming director; and Hansen.

Genovese says the network’s mission is to generate a fan/artist-centric interactive programming schedule with three primary goals: become a primary venue for helping establish successful careers for new artists; provide additional opportunities for country’s mainstream commercial artists to engage their fans; and pay respect to the legends who are still viable and working in the industry today.

Immediately prior to joining TCN she served as the CEO of the CMA, achieving unprecedented growth for the trade organization. She has many honors to her credit including Billboard’s Top Women in Music from 2006-2009, representing the 20 most influential female executives in the music industry, as well as Nashville’s Forward 50 List. She received the Canadian Country Music Association’s Leonard T. Rambeau International Award and the 2009 NAPE award for work on behalf of the CMA for music education in the Davidson Country Public Schools. She is currently serving on the TCN Board of Directors, The Nashville Sports Council, the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and the Music Business Advisory Council, to name a few.

She can be reached at tgenovese@tcncountry.com.

Mayne Named Exec. Dir. of CRB

/by

Bill Mayne

The Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) Board of Directors has named Bill Mayne CRB Executive Director, effective April 1, 2010. Mayne, a radio veteran and owner of Nashville-based Mayne Street Consulting, had been serving as the organization’s interim director in recent months.

Mayne says he is “honored by this opportunity…and the confidence shown in me by the CRB Board of Directors. This organization has a clear vision, a great staff and a dedicated Board to help craft the future course for the Country Radio Seminar and all its associated endeavors. CRS 2010 was a successful first step in the process of serving the best interest of Country radio and the Country music industry in the years to come.”

The CRB’s flagship event, Country Radio Seminar, closed on Feb. 26 with a 3.5 percent year-to-year increase in attendance, totaling 2,181 registrants.

“It became evident, during the difficult transitional period leading up to CRS 2010, that Bill had the leadership, passion and vision to steer the organization in the direction it needs to go,” reports CRB President Mike Culotta. “We are confident that CRB is in good hands going forward.”

Mayne is a Country radio and music industry veteran with senior level experience in radio broadcasting, including programming and operations management at KZLA/KLAC (Los Angeles), KSCS/WBAP (Dallas) and KASE (Austin). His resume also includes work in artist development, management and at record labels, where he was Sr. VP GM and VP Promotion at Warner Bros. Nashville, and VP of Promotion and Artist Development at 903 Music. His Mayne Street Consulting provides guidance in radio, marketing, management and artist development to clients such as CRB, Inc., GAC, IEBA, Nexshow, Dualtone Records, Muscle Shoals Music Group, Fame Records and RGK Entertainment. Mayne also serves as current President of the Academy of Country Music.

CRS 2011 will be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center. Visit www.CRB.org for more information.

ASCAP Elevates Nashville to Regional Office to Serve all Musical Genres To Be Led By Industry Veteran Tim DuBois

/by

Official press release: Nashville, TN — ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento announced a major expansion of the company’s Nashville operations which will be elevated to a Regional Office serving all genres of music.

Effective immediately, the newly established ASCAP Nashville Regional Office will be overseen by Nashville-based industry veteran Tim DuBois, who has been appointed Vice-President and Managing Executive of the operations, reporting to ASCAP Senior Vice-President and head of Domestic Membership Randy Grimmett. Connie Bradley, Senior Vice-President of ASCAP Nashville, will continue to serve the company as a Senior Advisor, reporting to Grimmett, in a role she had been discussing with LoFrumento for some time. In her new role, Bradley will advise the organization on trends and developments, travel on behalf of ASCAP and work closely with high-profile writers on special projects.

As a result of ASCAP’s expanded emphasis and investment in Nashville, the new Regional Office will now serve a broader array of members across musical genres and a multi-state geographic footprint while bolstering its services to new and existing members, according to LoFrumento.

“The City of Nashville commends ASCAP for recognizing Music City’s evolution into a vibrant mecca, known worldwide for developing musical talent of all genres,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “As the 2010 Grammys indicated, Nashville is producing today’s most popular music, and boasts one of the most energetic and talented pools of writers and performers in the country.”

The expansion reflects Nashville’s growing importance as a global music capital that is a magnet for songwriters and publishers in a spectrum of genres. Nashville is today the launching pad for many of the most talented writers and performers in all genres of music and the ASCAP office will respond to this growth and change in the marketplace by taking on a regional approach to its core mission in Nashville. ASCAP also expects to expand the geographic region the office serves, serving other parts of Tennessee, as well as Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, Florida and Virginia, among others, LoFrumento said.

“From Brad Paisley to Paramore, from the Kings of Leon to Alan Jackson, Nashville is the home to many of the most exciting developments in today’s music industry,” said LoFrumento. “Our office, while continuing to serve the needs of Country and Christian music’s greatest writers and publishers, will expand our vision and strategy to also meet the needs of the Pop, International, Urban and Folk writers, as well as film and television composers, who work, live and thrive in this region.”

In announcing DuBois’ appointment, Grimmett said, “ASCAP is privileged that an executive of Tim’s stature has joined us in this leadership role. Tim’s vision of the music industry and of Nashville’s prominent role dovetail perfectly with our expanded focus in Nashville. He will direct the daily operations of our team and office here, while assuring that ASCAP’s importance and impact grow even greater. We look forward to helping Tim fulfill that mission during this exciting time of expansion for ASCAP.”

DuBois stated, “I am excited about this opportunity to lead ASCAP’s Nashville Regional office. I believe ASCAP’s recognition of the influx and development of other successful genres of music in Nashville speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to our whole community. In addition, I hope to be able to address the growing needs of the business professionals who represent all genres of music here and to align the mission, goals and business strategies of this office with those of ASCAP’s Domestic Membership.”

DuBois has had a long career as one of the most successful executives in the recording industry having led both Arista Records and Universal South Records. A Clinical Professor of Management at Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management and long-time ASCAP member, DuBois’ storied career has included recognition as a songwriter, manager, record executive and producer. Five songs that he has co-written have been No. 1 hits. DuBois’ songs have received numerous awards, and two Grammy Award nominations. As a producer, his accolades have included over twenty No. 1 and top 5 singles and more than a dozen gold, platinum, and double platinum albums. Tapped to open a Nashville division of Arista Records in 1989, DuBois discovered and signed Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, BlackHawk, Pam Tillis and Diamond Rio. DuBois quickly turned the new label into one of the most successful in country music history, selling more than 75 million records worldwide in just four years.

After serving as president of Gaylord Entertainment’s Creative Content Group in 2001, DuBois went on to head Universal South Records with producer Tony Brown in 2002, a position he held until 2006. DuBois was recognized as the most powerful person in the music industry by Business Nashville in 1996, Record Executive of the year in 1992 by Pollstar, and was included in Entertainment Weekly’s list of 101 Most Powerful People in Entertainment in 1994 and 1995.

DuBois currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and has served as a board member of the Country Music Foundation, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Leadership Music, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is a co-founder and board member of MyWerx LLC, the former chairman of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is a board member of Sun Trust Bank in Nashville.

“We applaud Connie Bradley’s contributions to ASCAP over her 34 years with our organization,” said LoFrumento. “Her name will always be synonymous with ASCAP Nashville. She is a dedicated and hardworking executive, and we are thrilled that her vast knowledge base will continue to inform our strategic plans as an advisor for us.”

“John LoFrumento and I have been discussing this transition and new role for some time and I am pleased that it these changes have come to fruition,” Bradley said. “After 34 years, this new role as a Strategic Advisor is an exciting change for me. I can focus on the strategic direction and vision for ASCAP, an organization I have loved for my entire career. I am also looking forward to having a bit more time to spend with my family. I am delighted to welcome my good friend Tim DuBois to ASCAP and to work with him during such a dynamic time of change as our organization broadens to meet the expanded role of Nashville as a music capital.”

ASCAP Nashville Restructures Leadership

/by

Connie Bradley and Tim DuBois

It remains unofficial, but MusicRow has learned that ASCAP is restructuring its Nashville office to take on a more focused regional role for all genres. Under the new arrangement, Sr. VP Connie Bradley will step down from her longstanding position of leadership. Tim DuBois is expected to be named as ASCAP’s new Nashville head. The change reportedly happened this morning.

Bradley rose through the ASCAP ranks from her start as a Membership Representative. Always a strong advocate for creative rights, under her tenure she has acted as as cheerleader, advisor and confidant to ASCAP members such as Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Sugarland and many more.

DuBois has recently been a faculty member at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management, but first established his career as a hit songwriter and producer. He started the Arista Nashville office around 1989 and went on to sign, develop and create superstars such as Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and many others.

Former Echo Execs Launch Sponsorship Agency

/by

Rockhouse Partners (l-r): Tawn Albright, Kevin Brown, and Joe Kustelski

Former echo/Ticketmaster executives Tawn Albright, Kevin Brown and Joe Kustelski have formed sponsorship agency Rockhouse Partners, which officially launches today (2/2) with a full slate of clients. The Nashville based company will focus on connecting sponsor brands to consumers in the music and sports industries through digital marketing strategy, online/offline activation programs, and new digital products, along with data aggregation and analysis.

Rockhouse Partners’ initial clients include C3 Presents (Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival), Lance Armstrong and the RadioShack Pro Cycling Team, Next BIG Nashville, the Tennessee State Fair, Nashville agencies like redpepper, and other entities across the entertainment vertical. The company’s target clients are sponsorship brokers, live entertainment properties, brands and their agencies, sports entities, advertising/marketing firms, and media companies.

In addition to Rockhouse Partners’ initial clients, the company has formed partnerships with Nashville entities including American Songwriter magazine and email marketing firm Emma; along with Austin-based design/development shop Smith & Robot.

Co-founders Albright, Brown, and Kustelski bring to Rockhouse Partners over 40 years combined experience in technology, digital media, consumer products, ticketing, live entertainment, artist management, promotions, start-ups, advertising, and Fortune 500 brands. The trio met at Echo, Ticketmaster Entertainment’s digital marketing firm, where Albright served as CEO, Brown led Strategic Marketing, and Kustelski was Vice President of Product & Technology. While collaborating at Ticketmaster/Echo, the Rockhouse Partners founders fine tuned their eye toward data by managing 15 million consumer database relationships, 200,000 paid fan club subscriptions, one million mobile fan records, and more than $25 million in ticket sales annually.

“From my days at The Coca-Cola Company in corporate development to Ticketmaster and Echo where we managed the digital presence for more than 250 artists, festivals, and properties; sponsorships have become the glue in connecting brands to the entertainment industry. The way the industry is moving, brands are demanding more value in the form of measuring data and proving ROI. We see a major opportunity to activate brands and fans in a meaningful, relevant, and interactive way,” stated Albright.

“We launched this venture hell-bent on not creating just another digital marketing firm. We’re creating scalable technology products that address specific business opportunities, we understand the value of data, and we bake measurement into everything we do,” said Kustelski.

“The response so far to our unique model has exceeded all expectations. We’re busy growing the team, building out our technology platform, and we’re beyond excited to take this next step,” said Brown. “2010 looks bright as we’ll be focusing on business development, with programs planned at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin and the annual IEG Sponsorship Conference in Chicago.”

“We can’t say enough great things about Rockhouse,” offers Courtney Graber, Director of Sponsorships for C3 Presents. “They have the unique ability to grasp digital strategy and technology at the highest level, combine that knowledge with an in-depth understanding of brand sponsorships, all the while being able to manage and measure the most critical success metrics.”

Contact Rockhouse at hello@rockhousepartners.com or 615-772-4326. The Rockhouse offices are located at 2120 8th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37204.

Konicki Named Country Weekly Editor-In-Chief (updated)

/by
Lisa Konicki

Lisa Konicki

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Media, Inc. (AMI) announced today that Lisa Konicki, former Photo Editor of Country Weekly magazine, has been named the new Editor-in-Chief effective February 1. Konicki will also have responsibility over the brand’s web site, countryweekly.com.

It remains unofficial, but sources confirm that Larry Holden, the previous Editor-in-Chief has exited. Also leaving are David Scarlett and Jerry Holthouse.

In making the announcement, David Pecker, AMI president and CEO, said, “Lisa’s wealth of leadership qualities and exciting ideas will continue to make our magazine and its web site a must-read for fans of country music’s biggest stars.”

Konicki, who has been with the magazine for 13 years, said, “I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve Country Weekly as its new Editor-in-Chief. I look forward to making it the most influential voice in the country music market, both in print and online.”

Along with Konicki, other important staff changes included the appointment of new Managing Editor, Ken Tucker, who currently serves as Editor of Billboard Country Update. As managing editor, Tucker will oversee the writing and editorial staff.

Additionally, Country Weekly welcomes back former staffer Eva Elliott. Elliott, who has held the art director position at Relish and Spry magazines for the last four years, formerly served Country Weekly as the assistant art director and will now serve as art director. She will oversee the layout and design of the magazine.

Larry Holden can be reached at 615-491-2745 or loholden@comcast.net.

David Scarlett can be reached at 615-500-1965 or dscarlett@aol.com.

About American Media, Inc.

American Media, Inc.  publishes  Star, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and The National Enquirer.  In addition to print properties, AMI manages 14 different web sites. The company also owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country’s #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

Bill Mayne’s Company Running CRB In Interim

/by

Bill Mayne

Bill Mayne

Bill Mayne’s Nashville-based firm, Mayne Street Consulting, will continue to oversee the general operations of Country Radio Broadcasters leading up and through CRS 2010, running Feb. 24-26, 2010. Mayne Street Consulting assists companies in the radio and music industries with strategic planning, marketing, management and artist development opportunities.

“I have served on the Country Radio Broadcasters board for many years, and I am passionate about the future of this organization and the benefit it brings to our industry,” says Mayne, a 30-year industry veteran with experience including radio, label GM, promotion VP and artist manager. “We have a great staff and Board who are committed to serving the interests of our constituents in Country radio and the Country music industry, both now and for the future.” In addition to his duties as a CRB Board member, Mayne serves as current President of the Academy of Country Music.

The CRB was previously headed by Executive Director Ed Salamon who exited the organization in late October.