Universal Music Australia GM marketing Tim Kelly will join Sony Music Australia as GM marketing Asia Pacific, with effect from June 2.
Based at Sony’s East Sydney offices, Kelly will be responsible for directing the marketing of Sony Music’s international artists in the Asia Pacific region and the Australian artist division. He’ll work closely with the A&R, promotions, marketing, digital and business development divisions of the company as well as with Parade Management to maximize opportunities for its artists’ releases.
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A key part of Kelly’s duties will be to identify emerging homegrown and international artists to market across Sony Music’s Asia Pacific markets and to represent the music major’s Australian roster to Sony Music Affiliates. He reports to Sony Music’s chairman and CEO Australia and NZ and president Asia, Denis Handlin, who says the recruit “has a great passion and instinct for music and has tremendous respect in the industry locally and internationally.”
Kelly’s appointment at Sony Music is a homecoming of sorts. The British-born exec was marketing director at Sony Music Australia from 1999 until 2004, when he joined Universal Music Australia as GM marketing.
Earlier in his career, Kelly jointly founded and served as head of international at One Little Indian Records. He went on to become head of international at Rough Trade Records and managing director at Pinnacle Labels before moving to Australia.
In related news, GM, marketing & promotions Australia and New Zealand John Parker adds duties for the company’s artist touring business as part of a big push into Asia. Parker takes the new title GM, marketing & promotions and artists touring division Australia & New Zealand, and continues to report to Handlin. He’ll also work closely with GM & EVP finance & operations Australia, NZ & Asia, Andrew Smith and the firm’s JV touring partner, Nine Live.
Sony Music Australia unveiled its touring and events division back in 2009, with a Simon & Garfunkel tour of the country one of its first productions. Other tours through Sony’s live arm have included One Direction, Ricky Martin, Delta Goodrem, Olly Murs, Jessica Mauboy and currently Justice Crew and MKTO. Parker will be expected to develop tour dates for key Asian cities as a part of an Asian Pacific tour schedule.