Napster has hired Jeff Smith, one of the most experienced programmers in British radio, to bolster its new U.K. operation.
Smith, a former executive at market-leading top-40 station Radio 1, joins Roxio-owned Napster as programming director. In his new London-based role, Smith oversees the sourcing and selection of all music for Napster’s British service, which is set to launch by the end of the summer.
Smith has more than 18 years of programming experience in the local radio industry, most recently as a consultant. From 2002-03, he was head of music and programing strategy for Capital FM Network.
He reports to Napster U.K. GM Leanne Sharman.
Additionally, Napster U.K. has named Rob Gotlieb as marketing manager. Gotlieb was at BT.com, where he was responsible for driving consumer traffic to the telecom provider’s Web site and was involved in managing BT’s media agency.
Rounding out the new additions is communications director Adam Howorth. The musician and freelance journalist — who has worked with Billboard — was previously communications director at the defunct MP3.com Europe.
Gotlieb and Howorth also report to Sharman.
