In one of January 2025’s music industry hires, promotions, and exits, Sony Music Publishing boosted Katie Welle (pictured) to head of U.S. A&R effective February 1st. Photo Credit: Bri Brothers Photography
Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of January 28th, 2025.
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Sony Music Publishing
Sony Music Publishing has launched in Thailand with Tatchara Longprasert as GM and promoted creative SVP Katie Welle to U.S. A&R head.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG)
UMPG has brought on former Kobalt exec Jamie Kinelski as A&R SVP.
Orange Amplification
Orange has hired Music Industries Association board member Sarah Yule as MD.
2b Entertainment
Former Elektra Music Group publicist Collin Citron has rejoined 2b (where he worked between 2014 and 2018) in the same capacity.
iHeartMedia
Former SiriusXM sales higher-up Alan Hirschbein is now VP of sales for iHeartMedia San Francisco.
Next, iHeartMedia New York has signed Chris Conley to “a new multi-year agreement for an advisory role.” Besides continuing as adult-contemporary brand manager, Conley will simultaneously handle “strategy and research implementation” for all the market’s AC stations.
Also in New York, radio vet Jill Kempton is beginning as program director for WLTW and WKTU.
Lastly, iHeartMedia proper has upped over 25-year team member Nicky Sparrow to EVP of multicultural sales and boosted DeeDee Faison (who’s been with the company since 2020) to VP of multicultural partnerships and alliances.
FiXT
FiXT has elevated Kurtis Redden, who came aboard about five years ago, to VP.
Jayson Entertainment Group
Former Romeo Entertainment Group senior talent buyer Brian Crews has begun as Jayson’s director of business development and strategy.
Collective Heads
Former KOSI program director Jim Lawson has joined consulting group Collective Heads.
Spotify
Spotify general counsel Eve Konstan is set to exit the role this Friday, January 31st, citing a “decision to step away from full-time corporate life.”
Kennedy Center
Over 10-year Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter has announced plans to step down after her contract ends on August 31st.
Neste Live!
Neste Live! has promoted Andrew Fortin to president, with founder and existing president Gil Cunningham transitioning to chairman.
Plus, the Live Nation subsidiary has bumped nearly 11-year team member Jill Kopecky to VP of corporate and private events, and Annette St. Onge has become Neste’s operations director.
Live Nation Concerts
Live Nation has added former Country Music Association higher-up Milly Olykan to its Concerts division as SVP of artist development and global touring.
Sound Lab
Keywords Studios’ Sound Lab has hired Savina Ciaramella as senior director of music.
Concord
Concord has boosted Jonathan Eby from IT SVP to EVP of information services and technology.
Big Machine Label Group
Hybe’s Big Machine has tapped Tim Reynolds (who joins from an A&R role at TikTok) to serve as its first digital marketing VP.
Wasserman Music
Wasserman has expanded its leadership team by hiring three WME vets: LA-based Kevin Shivers and New York-based James Rubin have both signed on as EVP and managing exec, with Cristina Baxter coming aboard as SVP.
Peachtree Entertainment
Former Live Nation talent buyer Dustin Labbe has started as Peachtree’s booking SVP for the Northeast.
Sound Talent Group
After more than eight years with UTA, Kate Vastano is officially Sound Talent’s HR director.