David Joseph, who has served as the long-standing chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK, is set to take the helm as CEO of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) starting this September. Joseph’s extensive experience spans more than 17 years in the music industry, where he played a pivotal role in transforming UMUK into an influential global entity before stepping back from the industry late last year. He is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership style and has actively supported social impact initiatives, particularly advocating for neurodiversity in the workplace through Universal Music Group’s “Creative Differences” handbook. His commitment to community advocacy is evident in his role as chair of the Grenfell Foundation. Notably, he served as the executive producer for the Oscar-winning documentary Amy and has played a significant role in producing the acclaimed BRIT Awards. Taking over from Andy Haldane, Joseph will guide the 271-year-old nonprofit in its mission to promote social progress through innovative ideas and action across education, the arts, manufacturing, and commerce. “David’s unwavering dedication to driving social change, his empathy, and his commitment to nurturing talent are exemplary,” stated Lloyd Grossman, chair of the RSA. “We are incredibly excited to welcome David to our team, confident that he will cultivate a collaborative and compassionate culture that resonates with our fellows, partners, staff, and the broader community.”

Chrysalis Records, now part of the Reservoir group, has promoted Tina McBye to the esteemed position of senior vice president of commercial music operations. Operating out of London, McBye will report directly to COO Alison Wenham and will be responsible for steering commercial music operations across the group, which includes Blue Raincoat Music, Blue Raincoat Artists, and labels such as New State and Tommy Boy. Since joining the company in 2023, McBye has established a dynamic and robust department that supports various initiatives, including music releases, catalog acquisitions, and neighboring rights management. With her previous experience at PPL and PRS, she brings a profound understanding of neighboring rights to her new role. “Since [McBye] became a part of our organization, she has significantly and positively impacted the development of our operational capabilities,” remarked Alison Wenham, chief operating officer. She added that while McBye will continue to focus on the Chrysalis roster, she will also take the lead in shaping and overseeing commercial music operations across the broader Blue Raincoat Group.

Rusty Gaston, currently the CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, has been appointed to the distinguished board of officers and trustees at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Additionally, Jody Williams, the founder of Jody Williams Songs, has been re-elected as board chair. The board also welcomed back other executive officers including Vince Gill (president), Al Giombetti (executive vice president), David Ross (secretary), and Ernie Williams (treasurer). Ross, along with Ernie Williams and Jody Williams, was also re-elected as trustees. Other returning trustees include Mark Bloom, David Conrad, J. William Denny, Rod Essig, Al Giombetti, Ken Levitan, and Mary Ann McCready. Additionally, several returning officers include Earl Bentz, Sara Finley, Becky Gardenhire, Lon Helton, Clint Higham, Cindy Mabe, Gary Overton, Jim Seabury, Bill Simmons, Clarence Spalding, Chris Stewart, Troy Tomlinson, Jay Turner, Marcus Whitney, and Tim Wipperman. –Jessica Nicholson

NASHVILLE INSIDER NEWS: PR executive Krista Dykes has launched a new podcast booking and publicity agency called She Laughs Media. Dykes previously held the position of senior media relations manager at PLA Media and worked as the media relations manager at the Country Music Association from 2015 to 2023. In other exciting developments, the Big Machine Label Group has appointed Sarah Bertrand as their new director of digital marketing. Bertrand spent the previous three years at UMGN, where she excelled as a digital marketing manager. Additionally, Ailie Birchfield has re-joined MCA as a publicist, marking her return to the company after serving as director of media marketing during its time as UMGN, before relocating to New York in 2021. She also runs her own Nashville-based PR firm, The Birchfield Group. (For more Nashville-centric industry news, subscribe to Tom Roland’s Country Update newsletter here.)

WMA, a prominent digital marketing and creative agency, has appointed Andy Saiker as the new head of PR, social media, and marketing for the UK and Europe. Effective immediately, Saiker, based in London, will oversee the PR and social teams while helping to expand WMA’s global marketing operations within the region. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Warner Music, BMG Production Music, and most recently, TikTok, where he served as senior partnerships manager and led successful campaigns such as Team GB x TikTok and StemDrop. “Andy’s comprehensive understanding of the music industry and digital culture makes him a remarkable addition to our agency,” stated Crystina Cinti, global VP at WMA.

Sotaro Nishida has been appointed to the newly created position of executive officer and senior vice president of audio at Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA). In this pivotal role, he will spearhead both the consumer and professional audio divisions with a focus on enhancing the company’s presence in the U.S. market. Previously the CEO of Yamaha Unified Communications, Nishida brings over 20 years of global experience to YCA, having held various roles in Europe, Japan, and Latin America. His leadership coincides with YCA’s upcoming 2024 integration of unified communications operations. Based in Southern California, Nishida is expected to drive significant growth in the U.S. market, building on Yamaha’s established reputation in live sound, commercial audio, and home audio.

Wiles + Taylor, a Nashville-based entertainment business management firm, has announced the promotions of Lizzy Stone and Amy Gellick to account managers as part of a series of five internal promotions. Stone, who has been with the firm since 2018, is actively involved in multiple industry organizations and participated in the 2024 ACM LEVel Up Cohort. Gellick, who has been with the firm since 2016, serves on the boards of the Women’s Music Business Association and SOLID. Additionally, Karla Stafford, a 20-year veteran of the firm, has been promoted to director of financial reporting and compliance, while David Zeigler and David Murray have both received promotions to business manager. Zeigler joined the firm in 2018 and is known for his passion for live music and travel, while Murray, a CPA, has been with W+T since 2016.

Audacy has made the decision to shut down Pineapple Street Studios, its podcast production division, as part of a larger restructuring strategy that will result in approximately 30 layoffs. Established in 2016 and acquired by Audacy (formerly known as Entercom) for $18 million in 2019, Pineapple Street gained recognition for producing original and companion podcasts for major streaming platforms, including House of the Dragon, Severance, and The Last of Us. This closure follows earlier reports of a possible sale and the departure of co-founder Jenna Weiss-Berman in February, who has since joined Paper Kite Productions. Despite the closure, Audacy will continue select Pineapple Street projects under its newly established Audacy Podcasts division, including The Severance Podcast, which is now being produced in collaboration with Red Hour and Great Scott.

Zebralution, a leading digital music distributor, has announced significant leadership changes aimed at bolstering its global expansion strategy. William Hallström has been promoted to head of international business development while retaining his position as senior vice president for the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. In this dual capacity, he will connect global teams with the Berlin headquarters and enhance international operations. Hallström, who reports to Michael Schick in Berlin, brings valuable experience from both Universal Music and Sony Music. Additionally, Harry Barrett has joined as sales and marketing manager for UK/Dance Stores, bringing expertise from IDOL, while Zhenya Ivanova, a former playlist editor at Spotify, takes on the role of sales and marketing manager in the U.S., based in New York. Both Barrett and Ivanova will report to Lisa Riepe, head of sales and marketing.

The California Copyright Conference (CCC) has announced its newly elected officers and board of directors for the 2025–2026 season. Carolyn Soyars from Disney Music Group will take on the role of president, alongside Jonathan Lane, Alexandra Guzman, Sarah Brockman, and Janelle Hawkes serving in key officer positions. Re-elected board members include Kristina Benson, Reggie Calloway, and Cheryl Dickerson. New board members joining the team are Lily Kline-Koenig, Melanie Santa Rosa, Patrick Smith, and alternate Jack Mangikyan. Several members are continuing their second terms, highlighting the ongoing commitment to the mission of the CCC. Founded in 1953, the CCC boasts over 300 global members and provides educational events and resources focused on copyright and developments within the music industry.

Catch Up on Last Week’s Highlights: Jody Gerson Joins Ancestry Board