Executive Turntable: Lumineers’ Label Names a New Head, Plus Kobalt and Downtown Appoint SVPs

It’s time to drop the needle on another Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s been a bit of staffing news this week, so let’s hop to it.

Whitaker Elledge stepped into the lead role at Nashville-based label Dualtone, following the passing in December of former president Paul Roper after a battle with cancer. Elledge will remain based in Nashville and will report to MNRK Music Group’s COO Chris Moncada. Since joining Dualtone in 2018, Elledge has held several roles in A&R and artist development, before being promoted to general manager/senior vp in 2023. Dualtone was founded in 2021 and has a current roster that includes The Lumineers, Langhorne Slim, Shovels & Rope, Gregory Alan Isakov and Kathleen Edwards. The Dualtone team also includes Daniel Higbee (vp, synch), Julie Muncy (senior vp, promotion), Joey Luscinsky (senior vp, production & design), Alyssa Austin (senior director, eCommerce + strategy), Dana Murray (director, artist development), Emily Allen (senior manager of operations and marketing), and Sidney Campbell (manager of operations & marketing). —Jessica Nicholson

Kobalt appointed music industry veteran Jason Feinberg as senior vice president and head of KOSIGN, its new platform designed to support the creator middle class. Feinberg brings a strong background in artist-focused technology and marketing, previously serving as managing partner at 138 Strategic, svp of marketing at Universal Music Group, and head of artist marketing at Pandora AMP. KOSIGN also promoted David Waite to operations lead and Jacob Paul to vp of platform growth and brand strategy. Launched earlier this year, KOSIGN enables artists, songwriters and producers to collect publishing royalties with flexibility and transparency. Built on Kobalt’s global infrastructure, KOSIGN offers global royalty collection, real-time transparency and an 80/20 royalty split in favor of writers. “I’m passionate about everything that KOSIGN stands for,” said Feinberg. “The platform empowers artists to collect their publishing revenue around the world, providing them the freedom and support they deserve.”

Henri Lanz gave Sony the slip and joined Warner Music Nordics as the label’s new senior international A&R and creative advisor. Known artistically as MGI, Lanz previously founded M-Eazy Music and served as CEO of Sony Music Finland and Sony Music Baltics from 2019 to 2024. (Over the past year, he has worked as chief creative advisor at Sony Music Finland.) In his new role, Lanz aims to elevate Warner Music Nordics’ international repertoire by fostering artist partnerships and leveraging the company’s creative and global network. Over the years he has collaborated with 50 Cent, French Montana, Justin Bieber and Sia, and played a pivotal role in the careers of Finnish stars like Cheek and Evelina. Warner execs praised Lanz’s talent-spotting ability and global vision, highlighting his potential to strengthen Warner Music’s creative edge across Nordic and international markets. “With access to our entire Nordic and global A&R network, Henri adds a fresh creative edge and further strengthens our position,” said WMF managing director Ramona Forsström.

Downtown Music’s artist direct distribution and music services platform CD Baby named Sean Hallarman as senior vp of product, and Craig May as senior vp of artist and fan development. Both roles report to CD Baby president, Molly Neuman. Hallarman previously held roles at Sonos, Meta and Amazon Music, and in his new role will lead product vision and execution. May previously served as senior vp of global marketing services at FUGA, and in his new role will oversee artist and fan development initiatives. —J.N.

Avex Music Group promoted Justin Hunter to vice president, where he will support company operations and work closely with CEO Brandon Silverstein to guide leadership across Avex and S10. Hunter began his career in 2018 as an assistant to Endeavor exec Patrick Whitesell before joining S10 Entertainment, where he served in multiple roles, including chief of staff and head of S10 Records. Based in Los Angeles, he will help drive Avex’s U.S. strategy following the Japanese entertainment company’s expanded investment in S10 and appointment of Silverstein as CEO in March. Silverstein praised Hunter’s entrepreneurial mindset and industry relationships, calling him “the perfect candidate to help execute AMG’s strategy in the U.S. and beyond.”

Liz Gateley, a veteran TV producer who created MTV’s Laguna Beach and executive produced its spin-off The Hills, left Spotify in late 2024 to launch Damsel Media, a production company targeting Gen Z women. At Spotify since 2019, Gateley led the creation of original podcasts, including the award-winning Wind of Change. She managed the Warner Bros./DC partnership, collaborated with Kim Kardashian and initiated Spotify Pictures, adapting podcasts into visual media, including RapCaviar Presents for Hulu. Prior to joining Spotify, Gateley was a programming executive at Lifetime, overseeing Unreal and Surviving R. Kelly. Her extensive experience in streaming and network television positions her to produce content for various platforms, including brands and AVOD platforms. Based in Los Angeles, Damsel Media will focus on creating premium content for young adult female audiences, leveraging the culture-defining storytelling that Gateley is known for.

Payday Music Publishing expanded its Los Angeles-based sync team with the hires of Jamey Sussman and Desiree Autobee, both reporting to founder & CEO Patrick Moxey. Sussman, formerly with Score A Score, joins as synch director of trailers and ads, while Autobee, previously at MNRK Music Group, will serve as synch director, TV and film. Based in Santa Monica, they’ll focus on securing media placements for Payday’s roster across film, television and advertising. Sussman brings experience from projects like Babylon and season two of The White Lotus, while Autobee has contributed to major syncs for Hulu, ESPN and Netflix. Payday has also expanded its L.A. studio presence and recently landed placements with brands such as Range Rover and Nissan, as well as TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy and Abbott Elementary. Recent signings include Reo Cragun and Gaidaa, who have worked with artists like David Guetta and Marshmello.

Crypto.com Arena promoted Michael Becker to the position of vp of event services and production. In his new role, Becker will oversee  Crypto.com Arena’s events team and act as a liaison between the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Kings and Los Angeles Sparks and facilitate the dozens of concerts and other special events taking place inside the iconic Downtown Los Angeles arena each year. Becker came to the arena in 2010 as a guest services supervisor, rapidly learning the ropes before transitioning to the event services department as an event manager.  –Dave Brooks

Reed Smith welcomed David Long-Daniels as a partner in its labor and employment group, based in the firm’s Atlanta office. Previously with Squire Patton Boggs, Long-Daniels is known for handling high-profile litigation and has represented a wide range of artists including Steven Tyler, Greg Allman and Cissy Houston. He has tried over 90 jury trials and 20 bench trials, representing clients in industries like entertainment, hospitality, and food and beverage. Long-Daniels cited Reed Smith’s strong trial reputation and global platform as key reasons for joining. His addition supports the firm’s growth in Atlanta, where the office has expanded to nearly 40 lawyers since its January opening. Cindy Schmitt Minniti, chair of the firm’s labor & employment group, marveled at how Long-Daniels is “often asked to parachute into bet-the-company litigation just weeks before a case is set for trial” and that “he joins a group of Reed Smith lawyers well-known for that same skill set.”

Symphonic Distribution expanded its presence in Asia by appointing a new team of A&R client development leads across key territories. The team includes Christine Su for Greater China and Taiwan, Eleanor Phan for Vietnam, Twinky Lagdameo for Southeast Asia and Jay Choe for South Korea and Japan. Fiona Comendador joins as client manager for the APAC region. Reporting to territory manager Guji Lorenzana, the team will work with local artists and labels, providing market-specific strategies and support. The new hires bring plenty of experience: Su has led international music projects like the Golden Melody Awards; Phan managed label partnerships at The Orchard and MMUSIC; Choe has experience in K-pop group debuts (PIXY, from20) and songwriting (for EVO and Uki Satake); and Lagdameo has over two decades in artist development, marketing and publishing at companies like MTV and EMI. Comendador, formerly with Virgin Music and Kumu, will oversee client relations and project execution across APAC. This expansion follows recent signings, including DYNA Music Entertainment and Kafka By The Sea, aiming to support artist development across Asia.

Berklee has appointed Edward J. Lewis III as its new senior vice president of institutional advancement, effective May 15. With over 20 years of experience in higher education and the performing arts, Lewis will work with senior leadership to enhance Berklee’s global fundraising and engagement strategies. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, where he launched the center’s first major gifts program and led a strategic plan through the COVID-19 pandemic. “Berklee’s mission to educate and empower the next generation of artists and creative leaders deeply resonates with me, both personally and professionally,” said Lewis, who like many Berklee staffers is also a musician. “I look forward to working with this entire community to build support for Berklee.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY: The Hollywood Reporter announced the addition of Ada Guerin as creative director and Tony Maglio as television editor to its editorial team. Guerin, who previously served as creative director at Los Angeles Magazine and TheWrap, will manage the visual aspects of THR’s editorial properties, including the print mag and website, from Los Angeles. Maglio, most recently executive editor of news and business at IndieWire, will oversee THR’s television coverage from New York City.

ICYMI:

Apple Music named Ole Obermann and Rachel Newman as the company’s new co-heads … Penske Media executive Jenny Connelly was appointed director in charge of SXSW … Leslie Fram, former svp of music and talent for CMT, launched FEMco, a Nashville-based consulting company … and Mike Van was elevated to the role of CEO of Billboard — the first time anyone has held the role. [Keep Reading]

Last Week’s Turntable: UCLA’s Herb Alpert School Hires New Brass