Believe has appointed Romain Vivien global head of music, while Ticketmaster has named three technology leaders, expanding oversight of music operations, data science and products.
Music company appointments and departures
- Believe: Vivien’s expanded remit forms part of its five-year “From Access to Success” plan. He will retain oversight of recorded music operations and directly lead the business across Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Americas.
- SonicTrek Media: Radio veteran Rob Wagman has joined to lead Manna, its new contemporary Christian format. The company specializes in localized programming.
- BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.): Barbara Cane, vice president of worldwide creative, will retire at the end of 2026 after more than five decades with the company. A recipient of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) Lifetime Service Award, she will remain an adviser.
- Position: Big Deal founding partner Pete Robinson has joined as general manager, creative, in Nashville.
- Supply Chain: Ghazi’s company has announced its global launch and appointed former CD Baby executive Craig May senior vice president of marketing and former FUGA executive Kristy May senior vice president of business affairs.
- ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers): Mike Sistad has left the performing rights organization (PRO) after almost 26 years, most recently as vice president of Nashville membership. Assistant vice president Evyn Mustoe Johnston has also departed after nearly 15 years.
- Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG): Maree Hamblion has been promoted to executive vice president of artists and repertoire (A&R) and creative for Australia and New Zealand, a little over two years after joining.
- Dolly Parton: Her estate has named Danielle Parton, her niece, its official brand ambassador. Danielle Parton is a commercial pilot and military veteran.
- Authentic Brands Group: The majority owner of OVO has appointed Clément Smadja chief legal officer. He most recently held a legal executive role at Fox Corp.
Ticketmaster adds technology leaders
Ticketmaster’s appointments accompany investment in technology, data science and products. The Live Nation subsidiary has named:
- Jim Freeman chief technology officer (CTO). The former Amazon employee said he previously led a “team of 500+ including engineering, data science, product, and user experience for Alexa.”
- Rachel Smith its first senior vice president (SVP) of data science and machine learning. She joins after a decade at Block.
- Chuck Mortimore senior vice president of product. He previously served as The Walt Disney Company’s vice president of consumer identity.
Live entertainment, sync and creative roles
- VENU: Paola Palazzo has joined as senior vice president and head of talent, with Kevin Couch appointed senior vice president of talent. Palazzo spent about five years as Live Nation Canada’s vice president of talent. Couch held the vice president of music, comedy and events role at ATG Live for roughly the same period.
- DMG: The Covington, Louisiana-headquartered company has opened a Nashville office and formally announced former Peachtree project manager Anna Margaret Kilgore as talent buyer. Hale Neitzschman is now director of finance and event settlements, while Rebecca Saladis has been promoted to director of booking, touring and artist relations.
- Warner Music Group (WMG): Ron Broitman has been promoted to president of global sync during a reorganization of its synchronization business. Broitman, who has spent about 17 years at the company, will lead its sync teams worldwide.
- Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA): Michelle An, a team member for more than 20 years, has been promoted to president and chief creative officer. Laura Carter and Ramon Alvarez-Smikle, with 19 years and 10 years at the company respectively, have become co-presidents of urban.
- Three Six Zero: Manager Rebecca Dowell will lead its newly launched entertainment and new media division.
ONErpm reorganizes marketing leadership
ONErpm has created global and local hubs as part of a broader restructuring intended to bring together more than 200 marketing experts.
Newly promoted Iasmine Amazonas, now chief marketing officer (CMO), and Isaac Miranda, global marketing director, will oversee the hubs.
The global assignments are:
- Will Sword: The seven-year team member will lead the paid-media hub.
- George D’Errico: Global head of streaming partnerships.
- Jenna LoMonaco: Senior vice president of international marketing, responsible for worldwide promotion.
- Jorge Amaya: The new hire will handle YouTube marketing initiatives.
- Caroline Abs: Also newly hired, she will oversee several key hubs.
ONErpm also named leaders for its regional hubs:
- United States: Casey Childers, vice president of digital strategy, with oversight spanning the United States, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica.
- Latin America: Andrés Graff Navarro.
- Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries: Mariane Correa.
- Russia and Eastern Europe: Alexander Shanin.
- Europe and Africa: Blessing Manafa.
