Executive Turntable: UMG Touts Liszt of Promotions in Classics Group, Plus Opry’s New COO

Time to gobble up a wicked brief edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard’s compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.

Read on for some non-Drake news and don’t forget to cast your vote for the Power 100 Players’ Choice Award, plus peruse our annual list of the industry’s savviest financial advisers, our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter and our calendar of notable industry events.

Longtime Deutsche Grammophon president Clemens Trautmann has scored a larger role within Universal Music’s Global Classics & Jazz (GCJ) division. With his new title, president of Deutsche Grammophon and new business strategy at Global Classics, Trautmann will drive innovation and collaboration across all of UMG’s classical labels — including those at the NYC-based Verve Label Group — and explore commercial opportunities. A Juilliard-trained clarinetist, Trautmann has led Deutsche Grammophon for nine years, working with renowned artists like Daniel Barenboim, Lang Lang, and Max Richter. He signed talents such as Hildur Guðnadóttir and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and launched initiatives like the STAGE+ streaming platform and the Max Richter Sleep app, as well as a series of projects with Moby and Benny Andersson. His approach to integrating recorded music, publishing, live performance and technology is praised by Dickon Stainer, chairman of GCJ, and Frank Briegmann, chairman of Universal Music Central Europe, who highlighted his blend of artistry and business acumen. “[Trautmann’s] appointment for this expanded global responsibility in addition to his leading role at the helm of the world’s most renowned classical music label will enable us to offer even more entrepreneurial ideas and concepts to our artists worldwide,” said Briegmann.

GCJ also appointed Natasha Baldwin to president of Global Classics, Jazz and Screen, a newly created role that is effective immediately. Baldwin, who’ll continue as executive vp of classics and screen at Universal Music Publishing Group, will oversee GCJ’s classical and jazz labels, including Decca and Blue Note, managing international strategies for artists like Andrea Bocelli and Jon Batiste. Based in London, Baldwin reports to Jody Gerson, Marc Cimino and Dickon Stainer. Her role emphasizes synergy between recorded music and publishing, leveraging her success at Decca Publishing and UMPG Classics and Screen, where she signed prominent composers such as Max Richter and Nicholas Britell. This appointment highlights UMG’s dedication to classical and jazz, with Stainer and Cimino praising her as “uniquely experienced” with an “extraordinary skillset.”

Opry Entertainment Group appointed Gary Scott as chief operating officer, bringing over 25 years of experience in hospitality operations, asset management, and strategic leadership. Scott joins from Ridgeline Hospitality Group, where he provided counsel across the hotel, gaming and hospitality industries. His career also includes priors at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and MGM Resorts/The Mirage, overseeing business development, marketing and operations strategies. Scott will work with retiring COO Pete Weien during the transition. OEG CEO Patrick Moore highlighted Scott’s expertise in operational excellence, employee engagement, and workplace culture, aligning with OEG’s focus on innovation and growth. “From the expansion of Ole Red to the launch of Category 10 and everything in between, OEG has experienced extraordinary growth over the past decade thanks to bold strategy and strong leadership,” said Scott. “It is an honor to join this dynamic and talented team as we shape the future of OEG together.”

Jeanette Porcello was promoted from senior manager to director of A&R at Downtown Artist & Label Services, where she’ll drive the company’s growth in Nashville. Reporting to global vp of A&R Bryan Mooney, her promotion follows recent signings, including Drew Holcomb, Tiera Kennedy and Mat Kearney, among others. Since joining Downtown in August 2023, Porcello has played a key role in shaping the creative direction for artists like Abbey Cone, Fancy Hagood, and REI AMI. She has also managed notable projects, including Kennedy’s debut album, Rooted. Her career began at Atlantic Records, rising to A&R manager during a five-year stretch at the Warner Music imprint. Porcello has expressed enthusiasm about supporting independent artists — “something Downtown takes great pride in, and I look forward to further expanding our roster’s reach and impact.” Mooney added the company is “excited to see her step into this role with the same creativity and dedication that has earned her the trust of artists and colleagues.”

NASHVILLE NOTES: Big Loud Records promoted Stefanie Carter to senior vp of finance. Carter joined Big Loud Records in 2023. Her career also includes time at Nissan, Mars Petcare, PICA Group, Evergreen Copyrights, Nashville Predators and Live Nation … Big Yellow Dog Music elevated Nicole Rhodes to senior director of sync from director … Publishing veteran Scott Sherrod joined Anthem Entertainment as senior director of creative. He spent the last two years focused on consulting through his own firm, Circle 5 Music.

Alexander Wessely is the new creative director for Anyma ahead of the Italian-American DJ’s upcoming sold-out residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Known for his work with Swedish House Mafia and collaborations with artists like The Weeknd and Grimes, Wessely will tackle creative direction, stage design and co-direction for Anyma’s shows. As the first electronic music act at the Sphere, Anyma (born Matteo Milleri — also one-half of production duo Tale of Us) aims to deliver an immersive fusion of art and technology with his Sphere series, titled Anyma: “The End of Genesys,” which runs eight shows from Dec. 27–31, 2024, and Jan. 1, 10, and 11, 2025.

ICYMI:

---

HYBE’s BigHit Music named current general manager Seon Jeong Shin to be the K-pop label’s next president … Dan Rosen, the president of Warner Music Australasia, expanded his role to encompass Warner Chappell Music, lengthening his title to president of records and publishing, Australasia … Brady Bedard was appointed evp of promotion for Atlantic Music Group, transitioning from a 26-year career at Sony Music … and artist manager Nicholas Parasram and Twitch co-founder Justin Kan launched a new venture, Thin Ice Entertainment. [KEEP READING]

---

Last Week’s Turntable: AIM Sends Instant Message With CEO Hire