WME Announces North American & U.K. New Hires<\/h2>\n
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\n\tW<\/span>ME announced the hirings of Barbara Frum<\/strong>, Michelle Martinez<\/strong> and Jana Recmanikova<\/strong> as agents in its contemporary music department, as well as the promotions of Kath Butler<\/strong> and Giulia Spadaro<\/strong> to agent. Frum will be based out of the Beverly Hills, California, office, Martinez will be based in New York City and Recmanikova, Butler and Spadaro will be based in the London office.<\/p>\n \n\tFrum joins WME from outer\/most, and previously founded her own independent agency and artist management company, Sharing Spaces. She will book electronic, pop and rock acts across Canada in her role at WME.<\/p>\n \n\tMartinez\u2019s roster includes clients \u201cJai\u2019Len Josey, Soulidified and Oliver Malcom, and she will work across the WME roster for college bookings. She previously served as an agent at CAA.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe\u2019re excited for Barbara and Michelle to join the team and to see the value they create for our clients,\u201d Sommer said in a statement. \u201cTheir cross-disciplinary approach, combining backgrounds in creative touring and non-traditional strategy, will serve our clients well.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tRecmanikova will be part of WME\u2019s International Festival team and joins the company after nine years at Festival Republic. She most recently served as talent buyer and promoter for Reading & Leeds Festival.<\/p>\n \n\tButler and Spadaro will be focused on international touring in their new roles.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThese appointments add to the incredible team in our U.K. office,\u201d Josh Javor<\/strong>, head of London Music for WME, said in a statement. \u201cJana\u2019s extensive experience on the promoter side of top U.K. festivals will offer our roster a unique and valuable perspective as she joins the International Festival team. Kath and Guilia have proven to be essential to our team\u2019s success for the past several years. We are excited for them to take this next step in their careers as agents.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tW<\/span>arner Music Finland announced the launch of Atlantic Records Finland. Fredi Lund\u00e9n<\/strong> spearheads the new label as director of Atlantic Records Finland. Kristiina Wheeler<\/strong> joines as senior A&R.<\/p>\n \n\tThe label\u2019s roster includes Averagekidluke, Isac Elliot, Juuna Chill, Kerza, SANNI and William.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cKristiina and Fredi are both extremely successful because they have a strong, passion-rooted vision that surpasses genres,\u201d Ramona Forsstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, managing director of Warner Music Finland, said in a statement. \u201cThey have an impeccable talent for recognizing the next wave and shaping artist careers that define the music of our time. Together, they form a team that perfectly embodies a deep understanding of modern artistry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tJim Mahoney<\/strong> has been promoted to Chief Membership Officer at Merlin. Mahoney first joined the company in 2014, helping to establish the company\u2019s North American operations.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to take on this position at such an important moment for Merlin and for the independent music community more broadly,\u201d Mahoney said in a statement. \u201cOur members are at the heart of everything we do and their artists power the successes of our digital partners. I\u2019m excited to continue building on the strong foundation we\u2019ve created, ensuring they have the tools, access and advocacy they need to compete and succeed on a global stage.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tPrior to joining Merlin, Mahoney served as vp at A2IM and held an independent label seat on the board of SoundExchange.<\/p>\n \n\tIn addition to promoting Mahoney, Merlin announced Bela Zecker<\/strong> has been elevat4ed to senior director of global membership development, John Mercer Danher<\/strong> as director of media relations and Ben Sperling<\/strong> as manager of global membership development.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI\u2019m incredibly pleased to see Bela, Ben and Joe step into these well-deserved new roles,\u201d Mahoney said. \u201cEach of them has made a significant impact at Merlin. Their expertise, commitment and understanding of our global community is instrumental in Merlin\u2019s support of our members and driving Merlin\u2019s continued success worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tCharlie Lexton<\/strong>, Merlin\u2019s CEO, added, \u201cThese promotions reflect the depth of talent at Merlin. Jim\u2019s promotion and the creation of the Chief Membership Officer role recognize Jim\u2019s exceptional leadership and the fundamental nature of Merlin as a member-based organization. Jim has been instrumental in the growth and development of Merlin\u2019s membership, and his promotion is an acknowledgement of the role he has played for some time. His deep understanding of our sector and Merlin\u2019s core mission is invaluable. Together with the deserved promotions of Bela, Ben and Joe, our Membership team has the strength, expertise and global perspective to continue delivering meaningful, lasting value to our members.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tO<\/span>lympia Events, the company managed by Legends Global, announced Richard Harris<\/strong> has been appointed technology director. Olympia opened Wetherby Pembridge in September 2025, Pillar Hall in March 2026, and has plans to open a new theater in early 2027.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cRichard will play a critical role in strengthening our technology foundations while helping us become a more insight-led, data-driven business,\u201d Alex Lewis<\/strong>, COO at Olympia Events, said in a statement. \u201cHis ability to translate business needs into practical, outcome-focused solutions will be key as we continue to grow and diversify.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cOur ambition is to place customer-led thinking at the center of every decision,\u201d Lewis continued. \u201cRichard\u2019s leadership will support greater collaboration across teams and help us deliver even better experiences for our organizers, exhibitors and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHarris added, \u201cThis role represents a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a globally recognized venue at a pivotal moment in its history. I\u2019m looking forward to working with the team to ensure technology acts as a true enabler of growth, delivering practical, outcome-driven solutions that enhance both the organization and the guest experience within our event spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tW<\/span>ith Dolly\u2019s Life of Many Colors Museum, the exhibition dedicated to the life and career of Dolly Parton, expected to open in fall 2026, Lacey Criss<\/strong> has joined the team as pre-opening project manager and manager of guest experience. Criss recently worked with All In Events and served as a project manager at Animax Designs.<\/p>\n \n\tCriss\u2019 hiring comes ahead of community hiring days planned for the end of May and early June as the museum continues to build its opening team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tG<\/span>uitar Center has named Jennifer Hatton<\/strong> president of Music & Arts, the company\u2019s school music division. She most recently served as Chief Growth Officer at Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. She also previously served as Chief Business Development Officer and executive vp of Retail Operations and Course Materials Strategy at Follett Higher Education.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cMusic and Arts is the largest provider of K-12 band and orchestra rentals and equipment in the United States, and we currently have great momentum in the business,\u201d Gabe Dalporto<\/strong>, CEO of Guitar Center, said in a statement. \u201cJennifer has spent her career serving the education sector while building scalable operations, and that\u2019s exactly what Music & Arts needs to keep growing.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHatton added, \u201cThis brand has been inside schools and music programs for over 70 years. That kind of trust is hard to build and easy to lose. I\u2019m here to make sure we keep earning it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tR<\/span>ECORDS announced the promotions of Andrew Saltman<\/strong> to senior vp of artist development and Sara Gil<\/strong> to general manager.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWorking under Barry\u2019s leadership over the past decade has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I\u2019m grateful for the opportunity to step into this next chapter as senior vp, artist development,\u201d Saltman said in a statement. \u201cI look forward to continuing to champion career artists, helping them grow, evolve and navigate an ever-changing music landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tGil added, \u201cI\u2019m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have spent so much of my career learning from Barry Weiss, whose leadership and vision have had a profound impact on my professional growth. It\u2019s a privilege to be part of RECORDS, a company that not only champions exceptional talent, but is genuinely committed to developing artists and building enduring careers.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWeiss said, \u201cAndrew and Sara have each played an instrumental role in the growth and success of RECORDS and RECORDS Nashville over the years. Andrew brings an exceptional instinct for artist development and marketing, while Sara has been a trusted strategic and operational leader since day one. Their passion for artists, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to building long-term careers embody everything we stand for at RECORDS. I\u2019m incredibly proud to recognize their contributions with these well-deserved promotions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tJackie Turner<\/strong> has been promoted to senior vp of brand marketing at Kidz Bop. Turner has been with the company since 2014, starting as a coordinator and going on to build the company\u2019s partnership arm.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhen I first started at Kidz Bop 12 years ago, one of my tasks was reading fan mail from kids who dreamed of being Kidz Bop Kids or having them perform at their school,\u201d Turner said in a statement. \u201cThe brand has grown for 25 years because there\u2019s something powerful about making every kid feel like a star. I\u2019ll know I\u2019m successful in this new role if those letters never stop coming.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSasha Junk<\/strong>, president of Kidz Bop added, \u201cJackie has been a champion of the brand throughout her 12 years at Kidz Bop. She brings a deep understanding of both our business and our audience to this role. I\u2019m excited to see her step into this leadership position, where she will shape our long-term brand strategy and set the brand up for success for the next 25 years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tR<\/span>iser House Entertainment has added Shane Allen as Exec. VP of promotion and artist brand strategy, where Allen will lead the label\u2019s promotion department and help guide long-term artist branding and strategic vision. <\/p>\n \n\tAdditionally, several Riser House Entertainment executives were promoted into expanded roles. Megan Stottlemyer\u00a0has been named\u00a0VP of Label Operations,\u00a0Alex Heimerman\u00a0has been promoted to\u00a0Head of Marketing and Label Strategy, and\u00a0Jason VanAuken\u00a0has risen to\u00a0VP of Business Affairs.<\/p>\n \n\tRiser House was founded in 2016 by Johnson, Matt Swanson, and Mitchell Tenpenny. The company\u2019s roster includes Tenpenny, Dillon Carmichael, Meghan Patrick, Stephen Day, Coiler, The Wldlfe, Ash Ruder, Scarhaven, I C RED, and Identity Crisis. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAs Riser House continues to grow as a boutique label built on passion, vision, and artist development, these promotions reflect the leadership, creativity, and commitment that drive our culture forward every day. I\u2019m incredibly proud of this team and excited for what we\u2019re building together,\u201d Jennifer Johnson, President of Riser House Entertainment, said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m extremely grateful to Matt Swanson, Jennifer Johnson, and Mitchell Tenpenny for the opportunity to be a part of the Riser House Entertainment family,\u201d Allen said in a statement. \u201cI\u2019ve admired their culture and success for the better part of a decade and am thrilled to be able to contribute to the future growth of this incredibly diverse entertainment company.\u201d \u2014 Jessica Nicholson<\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tErik Andersen<\/strong> has been promoted to vp of publicity at Missing Piece Group, where he will lead the publicity team, oversee PR efforts across the company and continue assisting in the overall development and growth of the company. Andersen joined Missing Piece Group in 2013, and has led press initiatives across a range of projects and artists. Recent campaigns include work for Herb Alpert, Kip Moore, The Lone Bellow, Langhorne Slim and NPR\u2019s Mountain Stage.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to have been a part of Missing Piece for so many years and to grow along with it. I look forward to continuing to help the company develop and flourish,\u201d Andersen said in a statement. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to work alongside this hard-working, collaborative, and talented team every day. Having the opportunity to advocate for and amplify all the amazing artists on our roster is such a privilege and I\u2019m excited to see the future unfold.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cErik has been a crucial part of our team at Missing Piece since his start at the company 13 years ago,\u201d Michael Krumper, Missing Piece Group CEO\/founder, said in a statement. \u201cHis steadfast, extraordinarily thorough efforts have led to breakthroughs for developing artists and deserved coverage for living legends. Erik\u2019s clarity of vision and guidance of staff has been essential, and I look forward to his support as Missing Piece continues to grow.\u201d \u2014 Jessica Nicholson<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tDan Hawie<\/strong> has been promoted to managing director of Last Gang Records, MNRK Music Group announced. He will report to Randy Derebegian<\/strong>, vp of artist development, and Chris Moncada<\/strong>, COO of MNRK Music Group.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI\u2019m incredibly honored to carry the legacy of Last Gang forward,\u201d Hawie, who will be based in Toronto, said in a statement. \u201cTwenty-one years in our \u2018Us Against The World\u2019 mentality continues to fuel everything we do. Foundational artists like Death From Above 1979, Metric and Mother Mother are still shaping culture today, while our new guard, including Bella Poarch, Ho99o9, Loving and Mondo Cozmo, continues to push boundaries and move the culture forward. I\u2019m grateful to help preserve that independent spirit, and especially proud to champion such incredible art with the same passion and belief as the artists creating it.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tMoncada said, \u201cDan cares deeply about the legacy of the label and artists who built it. I\u2019m thrilled to see him evolve into this role and continue to forge the path of Last Gang for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDerebegian added, \u201cDan has already been an integral part of Last Gang\u2019s success over the past decade, and I couldn\u2019t be happier for him to move into the role of managing director to provide extra focus to this next phase of the label. He has the relationships and ear for what will help shape the future of Last Gang, and the timing is perfect with new projects and signings underway.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n \tWarner Music Announces Launch of Atlantic Records Finland<\/h2>\n
Jim Mahoney (Merlin)<\/h2>\n
![\"Jim](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Jim-Mahoney-Billboard-1800.jpg?w=300\")
Richard Harris (Olympia Events)<\/h2>\n
![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Rich-Harris-Billboard-1800.jpg?w=300\")
Lacey Criss (Dolly\u2019s Life of Many Colors Museum)<\/h2>\n
![\"Lacey](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Lacey-Criss-Billboard-1800.jpg?w=300\")
Jennifer Hatton (Guitar Center)<\/h2>\n
Andrew Saltman & Sara Gil (RECORDS)<\/h2>\n
Jackie Turner (Kidz Bop)<\/h2>\n
![\"Jackie](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Jackie-Turner-Billboard-1800.jpg?w=300\")
Riser House Entertainment<\/h2>\n
![\"Pictured](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Riser-House-promotions.jpg?w=300\")
Erik Andersen (Missing Piece Group)<\/h2>\n
![\"Erik](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Erik-Andersen-Missing-Piece-Group-Billboard-1800.jpg?w=300\")
\u00a0Dan Hawie (MNRK Music Group\/Last Gang Records)<\/h2>\n
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