Shaun James, one-time chairman and CEO of Warmer Music Australia, has been appointed head of music channels at pay TV production company XYZ Entertainment.
Jointly owned by pay-TV networks Austar and Foxtel, XYZ produces music channels V, V2, Max and Country Music Channel, plus Nickelodeon, Lifestyle and Discovery channels.
James reports to CEO Bruce Mann, and replaces Tara King who resigned earlier this year.
Among James’ priorities, he tells Billboard.biz “are to focus on a digital strategy for the channels, especially for V and V2 which have a younger demographic”, and to increase the channels’ local production. “My aim is to continue our presence as the pre-eminent broadcaster.”
A Warner Music staffer for 13 years, James took over as the company head in 1999. Aged 31, he was the youngest to lead a major label in Australia. He quickly made his mark on the label, expanding its digital presence and its local roster.
In August 2004, he departed to join free-to-air Ten Network, first as deputy GM of network sales, and then as manager 12 months later. Last August, James was shifted to chief marketing manager, and resigned from the network in December.
