Executive Turntable: INFAMOUS Locks In New COO and VP; Nashville Museum Has Leadership Shakeup

INFAMOUS PR has promoted Maxfield Freiser to COO and Megan Dembkowski as vice president of artists. Celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2023, the Los Angeles-based independent PR agency represents a broad collection of festivals, artists, labels and brands including HARD Summer, Primavera Sound, Under The Big Sky, RÜFÜS DU SOL, RZA, Eric Prydz and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Freiser joined INFAMOUS in 2014 and has served as the agency’s vp for the last four years, helping expand the company’s festival division and co-founding its content and marketing studio INFAMY. Dembkowski joined as a senior publicist in 2021 and has most recently lead the agency’s artist services division. Agency founder Alastair Duncan continues as CEO. –Katie Bain

Legendary indie label Matador Records announced a big batch of promotions, leading with UK general manager Alex League-Davies crossing the pond to oversee day-to-day operations in the New York digs as gm of the global label. She’ll work closely with co-president Patrick Amory and founders and co-owners Chris Lombardi and Gerard Cosloy. Elsewhere, Emma Buchanan has been upped from A&R manager to full-on director of A&R; while a member of her team, Jan Whitener, has expanded his role to be director of digital in their department; the label has tapped Malcolm Dolandson to oversee it venerable library of indie gems as senior manager of catalog and operations; and back in London, Josh Turner is promoted to senior project manager and Rachel Mercer was brought on board as junior project manager. Finally, in the last year the label hired Paulina Praphanchith as press and label coordinator, taking over for Emily Zaremba, who is now creative and marketing manager.

Warner Music Nashville has named Stephanie Davenport and Rohan Kohli as the label’s new vice presidents of A&R. Davenport and Kohli will continue reporting to Cris Lacy, WMN co-chair and co-president. Davenport joined WMN as a coordinator in 2011; her roster now includes artists Ian Munsick, Randall King, Madeline Edwards and Austin Snell. Davenport, a Belmont University graduate, previously worked at William Morris Endeavor. Kohli joined WMN in A&R in 2018, helping to launch the careers of artists including Grammy-winning duo Dan+Shay, as well as Bailey Zimmerman, Ingrid Andress and Avery Anna. Kohli launched his career at Ozone Entertainment in New York, working as a manager for bands including Hey Monday, Boys Like Girls and Cartel, as well as writer/producers Sam Hollander and Dave Katz. Kohli moved to Los Angeles and worked in full-time writer/producer management before transitioning to Nashville and working with Andy Albert, Paul DiGiovanni and more. –Jessica Nicholson

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville announced that H. Beecher Hicks has stepped down as president and CEO of the two-year-old institution. Stepping in as executive director is Dion Brown, previously chief operation officer at the museum, which seeks to preserve the legacy and highlight African Americans’ leading role in creating the American soundtrack. “Under [Hicks’] guidance, NMAAM has become a beacon of inspiration, education, and cultural preservation,” noted NMAAM board chair Stacey Garrett Koju. “We are deeply grateful for Henry’s unwavering dedication and commitment to highlighting the rich history and profound impact of African American music. His passion and vision have set a solid foundation for the museum’s continued success. We extend our sincere appreciation to Henry and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Kacie Anderson is Epic Records‘ new senior director of brand partnerships, in charge of strategizing with colleagues to find commercial opportunities for roster artists. She arrives from IGA, where she was the strategic brand partnerships manager for the agency’s hip-hop and R&B division. Anderson, who in the past has brokered brand partnerships with Ari Lennox, Dreamville, Culture Kings, Reebok and Footlocker, among others, is based in Los Angeles and reports to Epic svp of marketing John Kirkpatrick.

Kobalt promoted Kenny McGoff to head of creative in the UK. The London-based exec was most recently head of A&R, UK, having signed Lizzie McAlpine, Bakar, JOESEF, Venbee and Gerry Cinnamon, and other artists. McGoff has done past tours at EMI, Sony and Ultra and is known for signing or working with Calvin Harris, Bloc Party and Arctic Monkeys, among others. “Kenny is an exceptional A&R person, fantastic executive, and leader,” noted Alison Donald, global head of creative. “His integrity, empathy, and humor are legendary. His love of writers and artists is unbound.”

ICYMI: Discord laid off the the “majority” of its entertainment partnerships team … 300 Elektra promoted Aimie Vaughan-Früehe to executive vp/head of promotion and streaming … Rafael “Rafa” Madroñal was elevated to vp of business development for Sony Music U.S. Latin … and Interscope Geffen A&M promoted Ramon Alvarez-Smikle, Laura Carter, Chris Mortimer and Daniel Sena to new marketing roles.

Always-be-expanding talent agency Wasserman Music welcomed an “outstanding group” of genre-fluid agents to the team, managing exec Lee Anderson announced this week. In alphabetical order: Andrew Buck (NYC) joined as a vp after 20 years at APA, bringing with him Judas Priest and Skillet; Shanae Dennis (London), who specializes in African electronic music, came on as an agent; agent Andrew Morgan (Los Angeles) is fresh off a five-year run at Ground Control Touring and brings along Angel Olsen and Bully, among others; Ryan Soroka (NYC) joined as an agent after seven years at UTA. “What sets us apart is our passion for ensuring the long-term success of our clients and our genuine love and respect for the art they create,” said Anderson. “We see those qualities reflected in each of these new team members, and we’re excited to have them join our ranks – both for their proven abilities and for the way they complement our unique culture.”

Florence Lao was named general counsel and board secretary of French music streaming service Deezer. Based in Paris and reporting to CEO Jeronimo Folgueira, Lau’s lawyerly duties include providing expertise in all-things legal, compliance, governance, M&A, financing and insurance for the company, which released midyear results this week. “Her work is instrumental to the governance of the company as we continue to grow and keep building strong business partnerships across the world, while evolving our support for the global music industry,” said Folgueira. Lao was most recently general counsel at Adisseo, a China-based company that develops and sells animal nutrition additives.

Big Loud Records, label home to artists including Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen and HARDY, has further strengthened its executive team, promoting five members and hiring three. Promotions include Jeff Tanner rising to svp of business affairs; Paul Logan ascending to sync & brand partnerships; Brianne Deslippe rising to svp of global marketing & strategy; H. Read Davis rising to vp of digital; and Tori Johnson bumping to vp of creative. Serena Lloyd joins as vp of human resources, following previous HR roles with Weber Shandwick, Concord and more. Stefanie Carter joins as vp of finance, having previously worked with the Nashville Predators, Live Nation, Nissan and Mars Petcare. Lucy Bartozzi joins as vp of marketing, following time at Round Hill Records, mtheory and Red Bull Records. –JN

Primary Wave Music hired Songhay Taylor to be estate marketing manager for the James Brown and Prince estates. The UMG veteran — he was most recently global marketing manager for the label group’s urban catalog division — will be responsible for driving strategy and brand collaborations related to both estates. He is based out of the company’s new Beachwood Canyon office and reports to chief marketing officer, Adam Lowenberg. Primary Wave also promoted Christopher Green to content development manager, where he’ll scour for opportunities to create content around the company’s vast catalog. The NYC-based Green was most recently executive assistant to chief content officer Natalia Nataskin.

Nettwerk Music expanded its global footprint with a new European headquarters in Hamburg, with Martin Schuhmacher appointed as managing director. His priors include head of a&r at Edel Records and general manager at Yo Mama’s. With the launch of Nettwerk Music Europe GmbH in Germany, the Canadian label now has locations in New York, Vancouver, London, Los Angeles and Sydney. “Hamburg is an important music location in Europe and has earned an excellent global reputation through initiatives such as the Reeperbahn Festival,” said Nettwerk CEO Terry McBride. “We find the conditions ideal to intensify our European activities, enter new local partnerships and offer even better support to our artists in Europe.”

Joie Manda’s Platinum Grammar Publishing added a trio of senior positions to the boutique publishing company. Matt Spiller joined as general manager, Adrian Nunez as head of A&R and Leetal Nissenbaum joined as evp of global sync & strategic operations. Manda and Nissenbaum are based in the company’s Los Angeles office, while Spiller and Nunez are in New York. “I’m excited to work alongside Adrian, Matt, & Leetal,” said Manda. “They have each devoted their careers to being of service to writers and artists. This journey will be fun.”

Notes Live – the independent venues company building The Sunset in Colorado Springs, with plans to expand to a half dozen markets by the end of 2024 – hired Sam Voisin as president & chief operating officer. He brings nearly 30 years of experience in overseeing venues at SMG (now ASM Global). “His industry expertise and strategic vision will play a vital role given how fast our young company is growing and how much excitement we’re seeing in the communities we’re bringing live entertainment to,” said Notes Live founder JW Roth.

Nashville Notes: BBR Music Group hired Misti Douglas as director of Midwest/Northeast promotion for Broken Bow Records and Regan Donato as promotions coordinator. In their respective roles, Douglas will work records from a stacked Broken Bow roster that includes Hot 100 leader Jason Aldean, while Donato will support promo-and-radio initiatives for BBRMG’s roster of labels … Christian Copyright Licensing International, a division of SESAC Music Group, announced three promotions: Gary Christensen has been appointed president of the global rights licensing and resource company, while Nate Scott has been named svp of operations, and Jay Sudarma has been promoted from global marketing manager to global director of marketing … SMACKSongs promoted Jeremy Groves to senior creative director from director … Kelli Wasilauski joined the Oriel Company as director of operations in Nashville. She was formerly Adkins Publicity vp of publicity … Play It Again Music Group hired creative manager Grayson Clotfelter after two years on the road with Seaforth and Lily Rose … Big Machine Label Group promoted Liz Meade to senior manager of communications from manager. The company plans to add one more publicist for the department.