Musical Chairs: October 28

SCA gives Irene Hulme a national role  

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has appointed Irene Hulme to the newly created role of Network Head of Music and Entertainment Partnerships for the broader Hit Network.  

She’ll work closely with Dave Cameron, Head of Content for the Hit Network determining the music strategy for the Hit network, and also alongside Vaughan Hobbs, recently announced as Network Head of Music for Triple M. Hulme was instrumental in launching the Hits brand in Adelaide and at 2Day created Hits And Old Skool and RnB Fridays. “I’m a music girl from way back,” she said. 

Hulme’s previous role as Content Director of 2Day is from November 9 filled by Matt Anderson. He was formerly with Hits in Auckland and, prior, Assistant Content Director for Youth Brands at NZME, which included Flava and ZM Networks. 

Cowell joins America’s Got Talent as judge 

Simon Cowell (pictured) is joining the judging panel of America’s Got Talent, the hit show of which he is a producer and creator.  

He was a judge on American Idol until 2010. He replaces shock-jock Howard Stern for its next series. It is not known which of the other judges – Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum – will return.  

New Music Victoria board members 

After Music Victoria’s annual general meeting at The Unknown Union, Cassandra Pace was re-elected to its board while three new faces arrived. They are guitarist, venue booker and PBS FM Sponsorship and Promotions Manager Sarah Blaby; business and digital marketing strategist Michelle Nicol; and publicist and Collarts Associate Head of Entertainment Management, Chrissie Vincent. 

Changes at Secret Sounds Touring 

Changes at Secret Sounds Touring includes Marc Sousley moving from General Manager to the senior role of Promoter actively seeking international acts for Australian tours. Operations manager Sam Shaw becomes GM, while Blake Rayner joins in artist development to find emerging talent.

Daniel Clarke moving to Arts Centre Melbourne 

Daniel Clarke becomes a Programmer at Arts Centre Melbourne in March 2016. He has been Creative Producer and CEO for five years at Theatre Works, building its reputation for supporting independent and innovative artists and bolstering turnover by 171%. He presents his final season in January. Before that he was a Director of Adelaide’s Feast Festival. 

Barry Keohane takes CD role at 891ABC 

Barry Keohane takes over as Content Director for 891ABC Adelaide on November 9. Since beginning in radio in 1977 at 5MU Murray Bridge, he has worked at commercial stations as Mix 94.5 Perth (as MD and ACD), Sea FM and 106.3 Townsville (as PD) and Mix 106.3 Canberra, as well as at MY FM China (GM of Content for ten stations) and Click Radio Bangkok. All this while getting his pilot’s licence. 

Reed MIDEM gets UK MD 

Reed MIDEM made Simon Rhodes its UK MD. He will oversee its Brit-based businesses and real estate portfolio. Coming from an international background in marketing, business development and management, he was EMEA Marketing and Business Development Director at CBRE. 

Mott emerges at Pacific Star 

Graham Mott, former head of Fairfax Radio Network, is new GM of Pacific Star Network’s radio division, which operates AM stations 1116 SEN and MyMP 1377 in Melbourne. 

Two new agents for Woody’s Attic Drive 

New Melbourne alt-live music venue alternative live music venue, Woody’s Attic Dive in Collingwood, have taken on two booking agents. Kacey Da-Re from Knoodle Promotions and Mik Destar from Punk-A-Billy Touring are taking bookings for Jan/Feb via woodysbandbookings@gmail.com. 

Cook to chair Chamber of Arts and Culture WA 

Helen Cook takes over as third Chair of Chamber of Arts and Culture WA, following Sam Walsh and Warwick Hemsley. The latter just finished his three-year tenure.  

Cook, former partner at KPMG, has been on the board since it set up in October 2010. Aside from serving on the boards of various business authorities, she is also Chair of Art Gallery of WA, Director of the Cruthers Foundation for Women’s Art and on the Major Performing Arts Panel of the Australia Council. 

Marie at Sky News 

Johanna Marie is making the move to SKY News in Brisbane from Brisbane talk station 4BC’s newsroom. 

New Artistic Director for Melbourne Cabaret Festival 

Cabaret performer Mike McLeish takes over as Artistic Director of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Its fourth season saw a 89% increase in audiences to over 15,200, making it the second largest cabaret festival in the world. 

Outgoing AD (and festival co-founder) David Read will stay with Australian Cabaret Enterprises Limited as Director and continue projects with his publicity business Hot Ticket PR whose projects include the Online Video Awards Australia. 

MRM brings in Tony Lawson 

Sydney/LA production company MRM Audio Productions, set up by one time drummer and Nova 969 and Star 104.5 Mathew McHugh to work with TV, radio and cinema clients, has brought in Tony Lawson as Head of Radio Imaging. He was previously at 2day FM and has over 20 years experience in metro radio imaging. 

De Glas on maternity leave 

While 97.3 FM Brisbane Breakfast Producer Ruth De Glas is on maternity leave, Ashleigh Weidmann steps in as Producer and Allan Sheppard as Assistant Breakfast Producer. 

Monk, Acton, over summer 

Sophie Monk & Matty Acton present The Summer Fling breakfast slot on KIIS Sydney and Melbourne from December 7 to January 8. Regulars on the fill-in show will be Richard Reid (celeb goss), Heather Maltman (movies) and James Weir from news.com.au (entertainment updates). 

Monk does the Double Dare segments on KIIS 1065’s Kyle & Jackie O’s Breakfast Show while Acton anchors the national KIIS Hughesy & Kate Drive Show.  

Adelaide Casino loses GM 

Adelaide Casino’s GM Aaron Morrison has resigned, staying until December 31. His departure comes as SkyCity embarks on a $350 million development of the casino to add hotel rooms, 500 poker machines and 110 gaming tables. 

The Push expanding 

Victorian all-age music organisation The Push is expanding, putting out a call for applications for a Creative Producer, Administrator / Bookkeeper, Project Coordinator for Music Industry Pathways, Project Coordinator for Social Media and Online Content and Project Coordinator for Hip Hop & Electronica. Push events include the Face The Music conference (November 13-14) as well as the Push Pop Up Shop, Push Songs songwriting workshops, Push It! Hip Hop program and FReeZA Push Start band showcase.