Executive Turntable: Moves at Spotify, ASCAP, Help Musicians U.K. & More
A list of moves and shakes across the music business, including at Spotify, ASCAP, Help Musicians U.K. and more.
In anticipation of its expansion into the Middle East, Spotify has hired Suhel Nafar as its Arab music editor. Nafar, who co-founded the Palestinian hip-hop group DAM and worked as a music programmer at the Palestine Music Expo, will be based in New York.
In his new position, Nafar will work on building and programming Spotify’s Arab music & culture hub.
Earlier this year, Spotify confirmed in its DPO filing that it had leased an office space in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, the company has also been involved in recruiting for its Dubai office.
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The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced Tuesday (July 17) that Gregory Morgado has been promoted to deputy general counsel.
Morgado joined ASCAP in 2015 as svp, business and legal affairs, where he was responsible for supervising and providing legal advice on a broad range of corporate law, compliance, corporate governance, commercial transactions, intellectual property, international and risk management matters. Additionally, Morgado has worked with ASCAP’s strategy and business development, product and data strategy teams advising on key modernization and automation initiatives as part of the transformation process at ASCAP.
ASCAP general counsel Clara Kim said, “Greg’s sharp legal mind and insights have been invaluable to ASCAP as we expand our business initiatives and strengthen our governance to protect our members and grow opportunities for their future livelihoods. He leads with integrity and purpose and has been a true partner to me as a key member of the business and legal affairs team. I am delighted to recognize his deep expertise and accomplishments with this promotion.”
Prior to joining ASCAP, Greg worked at Viacom Inc. as vp, counsel, corporate transactions and securities, and as a corporate mergers and acquisitions associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
Help Musicians U.K. CEO Richard Robinson has stepped down from the organization, which was announced Tuesday (July 17). Robinson is leaving with immediate effect for personal reasons, according to an email sent to staff by chairman Graham Sheffield.
Robinson joined in charity in 2015 after serving over three years at Olympic charity, The Legacy List. Help Musicians assists musicians in need throughout their careers with financial grants, health care and career support. James Ainscough, who was CII at London venue Royal Albert Hall before joining HMUK as interim financial director earlier this year, is interim CEO until a permanent successor is found.
“On behalf of the trustees, I would like to thank you all for your continued positivity as passion for the work of this great charity as we look to the future and strive together to make a difference for all those we support,” Sheffield said in a statement.
Momentum Worldwide, the global experiential advertising agency, has promoted Glenn Minerley from vp, head of music and entertainment to svp, head of music, entertainment and esports.
In the past, Minerley has been an integral in fostering client relationships by leveraging the power of music. For example, he was involved in developing successful relationships with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, HP and Nike. Most notably, Minerley was responsible for launching American Express’s global entertainment access program.
Minerley has also assisted in producing private concerts with acts as big as Drake, Skrillex, Fall Out Boy and more.
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) announced Thursday (July 19) that Alex Flores has been chosen as its new svp, creative. Beginning August 6, she will report to Mike Steinberg, evp, creative and licensing, out of the Los Angeles office.
In her new role, Flores will oversee creative teams across BMI’s six offices — located in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, London and San Juan. She will be responsible for overseeing the development and execution of BMI’s acquisition and retention strategies, as well as for cultivating industry relationships.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Alex to BMI,” said Steinberg of the new hire. “She brings a wealth of experience across multiple industries that will greatly benefit BMI’s current and future songwriters and composers. I look forward to seeing her lead our creative team to build upon BMI’s unparalleled roster of established and developing talent and our tremendous success in fostering career-defining opportunities for the music creators we represent.”
Music industry executive David Massey announced Wednesday (July 18) the launch of Work of Art, the music publishing and artist management companies under his new joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment.
Work of Art Music Publishing, based in New York and Los Angeles, will be led by vp Clio Massey. Massey will oversee the development of a roster of artists and songwriters across various musical genres. Additionally, Zach Felber will join the publishing team based in L.A. as creative manager. Sony/ATV will administer the publishing venture.
Ryan Chisholm will serve as general manager of Work of Art Management, based in Los Angeles. Chisholm will oversee an active roster that includes Mike Posner, Wes Period, and Milck, in addition to driving further growth of the management company’s client base. Also joining the artist management team is Robert Dugan.
“We look forward to making the most of the many exciting opportunities in music publishing and artist management with the formation of both these new companies. We’re excited to build a new publishing house to be overseen by Clio, who joins the new company from Sony/ATV,” said David. “The publishing company will focus on developing writers, producers, and artists. In addition, it is a great time to build a new management company with Ryan Chisholm at the helm. He brings a wealth of management experience to the new company.”
The rights administration service and platform AdRev has announced the hire of music industry veteran Nick LaPointe to the role of director, rights management. In his new position, LaPointe will be based out of Los Angeles.
“Nick LaPointe has an extensive history of advocating for artists, labels and publishers through 20 years of experience in the music industry,” said Noah Becker, president and co-founder, AdRev. “I’ve known Nick since we worked together during my tenure overseeing mechanicals at SME in the mid 2000s. His passion for protecting the rights of the creative class, connections to music insiders, and unsurpassed knowledge of music business make him an ideal fit for AdRev.”
Most recently, LaPointe held various copyright and mechanical licensing roles at Warner/Chappell. He will use his experience to help lead AdRev’s initiaitve to expand income and rights protection opportunities, especially as music becomes more heavily tied to videos.
“I am thrilled to be joining AdRev’s team of digital rights specialists,” LaPointe added. “I’m looking forward to bringing my music industry knowledge of managing writers rights to the company, while helping AdRev continue to expand their already robust service and technology offerings.”
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