Global audio streaming service Deezer has named Jeronimo Folgueira as the company’s new CEO. He takes over the position from Hans-Holger Albrecht, who has been responsible in the role since 2015. Hans-Holger will continue to support Deezer as a Member of the Board of Directors; the transition will take place at the end of June 2021.
Prior to joining Deezer, Jeronimo served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Board of the online dating network Spark Networks in Berlin. During that time he led the company through three strategic M&A transactions, quadrupling its size in four years, according to the announcement. He also oversaw the company’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange in November 2017. He previously held roles at Betfair, Bigpoint and RTL Group.
Folgueira said, “I couldn’t be more excited to join Deezer. I’m passionate about music and podcasts. They hold a unique place in our hearts and Deezer’s team has built a service that is the perfect companion to people’s daily lives. Deezer is a key player and contributor to the fast growth of music streaming around the world.”
Albrecht added, “My years as the CEO of Deezer have allowed me to lead a fantastic team on a growth journey. With the support of all shareholders and partners, a passionate team of 600 people have built the 4th largest global audio streaming service in the world. Our revenues have grown over 300% in the last five years and our platform averages more than 600 monthly streams per active user. We have a clear strategy in place to deliver long term, sustainable growth and value for shareholders, artists and users.”
+ Jonas Group Entertainment has named Phil Guerini as its Nashville-basedCEO. Guernini comes to the company from Disney Channels Worldwide, where he oversaw Radio Disney, Radio Disney Country and all aspects of music strategy.
“It is a great honor to have Phil Guerini join us as CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment,” said Kevin Jonas, Sr., the company’s founder-chairman. “He has been an instrumental part of my family’s journey and was an early supporter of my sons [the Jonas Brothers] before they experienced their tremendous success… Phil is a force of nature, a true entertainment professional, a developer of talent and opportunities, a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a personal friend. Matching our current projects and talent with his tremendous leadership will assist in bringing Jonas Group Entertainment into its finest days. I am confident that we will move forward into incredible things with Phil leading the way.”
Said Guerini, “Life is truly an unpredictable blessing and every once in a while, we’re lucky enough to experience a full circle moment. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have spent the last 28-plus years of my career with the world’s leader in family entertainment, the Walt Disney Company, and I plan to bring that knowledge and experience to Jonas Group Entertainment… I had the honor of first meeting the Jonas family and working with Kevin, Joe, and Nick back in 2005, so it is extremely special that I now get to join forces with Kevin Jonas, Sr. to build something that I feel will be extraordinary.”
Jonas Group Entertainment was most recently in the news for taking on actor Bailee Madison as a client for her musical endeavors.
+ Range Media Partners has announced Tyler Henry as the latest managing partner in its rapidly expanding music division, which also sees manager Charles “CJ” Cook and manager Phoebe Wang joining. Henry is the manager behind artists PartyNextDoor, Wondagurl, Harv, Los Hendrix, Nonstop da Hitman, Peter Manos, and TikTok producer Carneyval; he also previously managed social media star Cameron Dallas. This announcement comes on the heels of Justin Bieber’s Harv-produced single “Peaches” scoring high numbers at Top 40 and Rhythm Radio.
+ Chukwudi Obi has joined Hallwood Media, Neil Jacobson’s writer-producer management company, as manager. Obi will work out of Hallwood’s Los Angeles office and handle talent including IAmTash (Pop Smoke, Coi Leray, YBN Nahmir), Donn Robb (The Kid LaRoi, Juice WRLD), Super Miles (Dave East, Wale, Tory Lanez), and identify and sign new talent to the company.
Hallwood’s writer-producer roster includesJeff Bhasker(Bruno Mars, Harry Styles),Murda Beatz(Drake, Ariana Grande, Migos),Jozzy(Internet Money, Lil Nas X),David Stewart(BTS, Jonas Brothers),Jim-E Stack(Bon Iver, Diplo),Yung Dza(Cardi B),Beach Noise(Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem),JR Rotem(Rihanna, Jason Derulo),Brendan O’Brien(Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen),Daysix(Rod Wave), andKing Henry(LANY, Sasha Sloan), among others.
“Obi has a bright energy, a way about him that’s contagious,” shared Neil Jacobson, Hallwood Media founder and CEO. “The business he’s building is going to be a big win for Hallwood and for his clients as he continues to grow.”
Tuesday, May 18
+ Edgar “Edd Grand” Machuca has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of A&R for both Capitol Records and Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, under the umbrella of Capitol Music Group. He’ll report to both CMG chairman-CEO Jeff Vaughn and Virgin president Jacqueline Saturn under the joint arrangement, signing artists and overseeing projects for both labels, based in the Capitol Tower.
Machuca comes over to CMG from Warner Records, where he was a VP. He also worked at the independent Warner affiliate Artist Partner Group after starting his career at Atlantic Records. At these companies, he was involved in signing Grammy-winning songwriter Derrick Milano and Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers. Other artists whose hits he’s been involved with include Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J. Balvin, G-Easy and Megan Thee Stallion.
“Edd has an intuitive feel for identifying game-changing artists, songs, and entrepreneurs,” said Vaughn. “His ability to build trust and speak the same language with creatives sets him apart as an A&R executive. In Ed’s unique joint role at Capitol and Virgin, he will be empowered to do what he does best: impact global culture through music.”
+ Arista Records has named two co-heads for its urban music division.Khristopher Riddick-Tynes will serve as VP of A&R and co-head of urban music, joined by Kendell Freeman as VP and co-head, urban music. The two new hires will split their work across the coasts: Riddick-Tynes is based in Los Angeles and Freeman in New York.
Some of the initial artists whom Riddick-Tynes and Freeman will be working with in the hip-hop/R&B space include Princess Nokia, Audrey Nuna, Dada1k, and Yung Boi Rob.
“As Arista’s first co-heads of urban music, Khris and Kendell will help build our label’s presence in the urban, hip-hop and R&B music genres,” said Arista president-CEO David Massey. “They have both worked with some of the biggest artists and producers in our industry and have incredible ears for discovering and developing authentic music.”
Riddick-Tynes is half of the production duo the Rascals, and has written and produced records for Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Drake, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Russ, Ty Dolla $ign and Wiz Khalifa. Khris earned two 2020 Grammy nominations for co-writing Rick Ross’ “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, and for his work with Jessie Reyez on her debut album. In 2015, he won a Grammy for his work on co-writing and producing Toni Braxton & Babyface’s R&B album of the year, “Love, Marriage and Divorce.”
+ Republic Records has promoted Roderick Scott to Vice President of Marketing Strategy, the company’s EVP/GM Jim Roppo and SVP of Marketing Marleny Reyes announced on Tuesday. In his new role, Scottwill continue to envision, actualize, and oversee integrated marketing campaigns and rollout strategy for artists ncluding Lil Wayne,Nicki Minaj,Kid Cudi,Black Thought,Coi Leray, and many more. He joinedRepublic Recordsin 2020 as director of marketing strategy.
“Roderickis a world-class marketing executive whose immense drive matches his genuine lifelong passion for music,” Roppo said. “He approaches every project from an inventive angle and can artfully tell an artist’s story to the world with clarity, empathy, and ingenuity.”
Reyesadded,“Working withRoderickduring this unique time in the world has been incredible.Roderickcame toRepublicand instantly affected the way we have worked as a team. His diligence, hustle, musical knowledge, and determination are unmatched.”
Scott said,“From the outside, I’ve watched whatRepublic Recordscan offer artists. Tapping into that as a member of the team, I’ve also realized how supportive the label’s leaders are.RoppoandMarlenyhave empowered me with the flexibility to implement an array of tactics, trusting my instincts and providing the foundation to really make a difference for our roster.”
Before joining Republic, Scottspent eight years atWarner Bros. Recordsin publicity and lifestyle marketing before moving over to Atlantic Records in New York in 2017.
+ The music management company Page 1 Management has brought in Danielle Middleton, who will lead the company’s U.S. efforts from New York, reporting to founder-CEO Ashley Page. The company represents writer-producers Joel Little (Taylor Swift, Khalid, Imagine Dragons) and Mark Rankin (Adele, Iggy Pop, Florence and The Machine), Grammy nominated Drew Pearson (Zac Brown Band, Kesha, Phillip Phillips) and worldwide chart-topping artist Jawsh 685, among others.
Middleton comes over to Page 1 from Sony Music Publishing, where her signings included J. White, Ayo the Producer, Kid CultureandTate McRae.
“I’ve known Danielle for years now, and her passion, knowledge, drive and artist understanding is unparalleled,” said Page. “Danielle will be pivotal in helping us shape the future of the company in the U.S. I look forward to announcing more additions to the team over the coming months with Danielle, and the exciting plans for Page 1 an Dryden Street Group over the next few years.”
+ Music discovery and ticketing platform Dice has announced several promotions and new hires. Russ Tannen, a founding member of the company and formerly chief revenue officer, is now the company’s president and has relocated to New York to set up the second HQ. In addition to Tannen’s role, Jordan Gremli joins the company as Head of Artist Development; he was previously with Spotify and Sofar Sounds. Also joining from Spotify is Jo McNally, who has been appointed Global Head of Music Licensing.
+ PR and marketing powerhouse Shore Fire has hired Mike Jones as a senior account executive in the company’s Los Angeles office. He comes to the company after six years at Los Angeles-based indie label Dim Mak and, previously, four years at Stunt Company. He also co-founded digital dance music label Party Boy Records.
+ Digital music distributor TuneCore has named Dan Rutman to the role of director, U.S. & Canada. In his new role, Rutman will lead business development opportunities for both acquisition-based strategic partnerships and brand partnerships across all key industries for the company, according to the announcement. He will also be responsible for Canadian artist relations and partnerships as the Head of TuneCore Canada. Most recently, Rutman founded the indie label Solitaire Recordings, and previously worked at Remote Control Records and Sneak Attack Media.
+ J Scavo has joined Position Music as GM, recorded music and vp of marketing. He was previously the founder of Daemon, an artist services, marketing and social media agency, and held positions at Warner Records, Disney Music Group and MySpace Records.
