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(l to r) Craig May (artist and fan development) and Sean Hallarman (product) are now CD Baby SVPs. Photo Credit: Downtown Music
Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of May 2nd, 2025.
If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the latest music industry hires here.
Warner Music Nordics
Over six-year Sony Music Finland exec Henri Lanz has come aboard Warner Music Nordics as senior international A&R and creative advisor.
CD Baby
Downtown’s CD Baby has brought on Sonos content director Sean Hallarman as SVP of product and named Craig May (who joins from an executive role at FUGA, also a Downtown subsidiary) SVP of artist and fan development.
Meanwhile, marketing SVP Jean Mischler’s role has expanded to include revenue, and finance VP Whitney Thomas will also oversee business operations moving forward.
Payday Music Publishing
Payday Publishing has hired Score a Score vet Jamey Sussman as creative sync director for trailers and ads. Additionally, the company has welcomed former MNRK higher-up Desiree Autobee in the same role but with a focus on film and TV.
Event Safety Alliance
Rob Bergeron, previously an executive director with ODTUG, has signed on with the Event Safety Alliance in the same capacity.
Apple Music
Apple Music has confirmed as co-presidents ex-TikToker Ole Obermann and 16-year Apple vet Rachel Newman.
Kobalt
Former 138 Strategic managing partner Jason Feinberg has joined Kobalt as SVP and head of its Kosign admin platform.
SXSW
A far-reaching shake-up at South by Southwest has brought the exit of longtime president and chief programming officer Hugh Forrest, music festival VP James Minor, and close to four-decade comms VP Lillian Park.
Now, Penske EVP of product and technology Jenny Connelly (who’s been on the SXSW board for four years) is SXSW’s director in charge. Plus, SXSW EDU co-founder Greg Rosenbaum is succeeding Forrest as programming head, and 13-year SXSW music team member Brian Hobbs is replacing Minor as VP.
Avex Music Group
Justin Hunter, an over three-year exec at S10 Entertainment, is officially VP at Avex Music.
Russells
London law firm Russells has two new music partners: Liv Lyons (who joins from Lee & Thompson) and Mark Walker (who’s been with the firm for about a decade).
North American Concert Promoters Association (NACPA)
AEG Presents exec Brent Fedrizzi has been re-elected president of NACPA’s board.
ASCAP
ASCAP has upped Nicole George-Middleton, who’s been with the PRO since 2008, to EVP and head of creative membership.
Virgin
Virgin Music Group has formally boosted three-year team member Hannah Thompson-Waitt to SVP of U.S. commercial strategy.
