Executive Turntable: Moves at SiriusXM, Blackbird Music Publishing Group, UTA & More
Originally published on Billboard.com
SiriusXM promoted Kelly Flynn to senior vp video programming, the company announced on Tuesday (Nov. 5). She will report directly to president and CCO Scott Greenstein and manage the Howard Stern video team.
Flynn began working at SiriusXM in April 2019. Prior to joining the company, she held the position of senior executive producer at CNN. During her time at CNN, her work was recognized with an Emmy and Peabody Award for CNN Heroes.
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Jared Fox and Jeff Zuchowski were promoted to co-heads of Sirius XM and Pandora’s combined talent & industry relations team. Both of their titles are vp talent & industry relations. They will report to president and CCO Scott Greenstein.
"I am confident that these teams have the knowledge, ability and respect of the artist community to maximize all of the opportunities and possibilities that exist between SiriusXM and Pandora,” said Greenstein.
Fox and Zuchowski will program verticals at SiriusXM and Pandora, as well as partner on support for Hits1 and PandoraNow.
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Suzanne Moss was named vp head of creative licensing of Blackbird Music Publishing Group, it was announced Monday (Nov. 4).
Moss was previously vp creative for film/TV ads at Universal Music Publishing. Prior to that, she worked at Kobalt Music and Rondor Music.
“I am thrilled Suzanne has joined us as Head of Creative Licensing,” said president Lance Freed. “She is the best sync executive for film, TV and advertising that I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
"I’m so happy to join Blackbird Music Publishing Group and am excited about the opportunity to build a company based in the root of creativity,” added Moss. “I am especially grateful to work for Lance Freed once again and thrilled to join forces with Keith Wortman [founder] and his hugely successful live event company, Blackbird Presents.”
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UTA announced on Monday (Nov. 4) that it has promoted six agents.
Tessie Lammle, James Masters, Daniel McCartney, Ron Perks, Angie Rance and Chris Visconti are now agents in Music.
“We’re incredibly proud of this outstanding group of colleagues,” said co-president David Kramer. “Each of them personifies exceptional performance and commitment to client service. We’re especially pleased that the vast majority of our new agents and executives began their careers at UTA as assistants, which is a reflection of our commitment to developing and fostering the growth of young professionals. As we continue to grow all aspects of our business, they will all play an integral role in driving our future success.”
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Bruce Wheeler was promoted to general manager of the Capitol Theatre, the company announced Friday (Nov. 8).
He previously served as the theater’s director of production. Prior to joining Capitol, he worked as general manager of Central Park Summerstage and at Caroline, MCA and J Records. He also acted as tour and production manager for artists like Cage the Elephant and Jimmy Fallon.
“I'm thrilled for the opportunity to head up the amazing staff here at the Cap,” said Wheeler. “The history of this room is unparalleled, the job is as much of a caretaker of its legacy as it is GM. The team that Peter Shapiro [owner] has built here is second-to-none, and I’m appreciative of his desire and devotion to have the Capitol Theatre continue to be one of the premiere touring and event destinations in the northeast."
“I first met Bruce when he was General Manager at Central Park Summerstage and I was on the board,” added Shapiro. “Every time I attended a show, he was there with a firm handshake and a warm smile and hello. It sounds like a simple thing, but not everyone does that every time you see them. That’s how we like to do things at the Capitol. With a smile, every time. Combine that with Bruce’s decades of production knowledge and experience, both on the road and in venues, and he’s the perfect person to take the reins from the esteemed Tom Bailey [general manager, San Francisco’s Peninsula Arts Guild] and make magic happen at The Capitol Theatre.”
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Keri Elmsly joined The Madison Square Garden Company as senior vp immersive design and production, it was announced Monday (Nov. 4). She will report to Jennifer Vogt, president, creative content and productions.
Elmsly previously served as chief creative officer of Second Story and executive producer at United Visual Artists.
“Throughout her career, Keri’s work has lived at the intersection of technology, art and immersive experiences pushing the boundaries of technology in the name of creative storytelling,” said Vogt. “She perfectly complements our multi-faceted team whose collective expertise spans all areas of entertainment -- from live action film to animation, Broadway and more -- we are creating a team of talented revolutionaries for MSG Sphere.”
“MSG Sphere represents a truly unique convergence of art and technology that will create a powerful platform for immersive storytelling,” added Elmsly. “I’m thrilled to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform how we interact with audiences -- creating new types of experiences that encourage them to step outside of their everyday reality.”
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Romeo Entertainment Group promoted R.J. Romeo to president, Michelle Romeo to vp and Harlan Burggraaf to controller/director of operations, the company announced Thursday (Nov. 7). Additionally, it was announced that Fran Romeo left the company to pursue other endeavors.
"I am grateful for the solid foundation that Don [Romeo, founder], Bob [Romeo, chairman of the board] and Fran have created for REG over their decades of leadership," said R.J. Romeo. "I am honored and excited to implement our vision and lead REG into the future and with the help of the leadership team, continue to grow REG's roster of amazing events. Celebrating 65 years is an indescribable feeling of pride. For an independent, family owned company to survive and thrive for three generations is a testament to the integrity driven and relationship based business we have built."
"I'm so thrilled to be a part of the 65th Anniversary of Romeo Entertainment Group,” added Michelle Romeo. "R.J. and I look forward to carrying our legacy into the third generation and are so grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing team who we consider to be our extended family."
