Industry Movers & Shakers: August 30th - September 5, 2025
From the boardroom to the backlot, here are the pros making bold moves across music + media.
The industry never sleeps, and neither do its résumés. From label powerhouses to streaming giants, sync shops to publishing pros, here’s who’s swapping seats, leveling up, or making bold moves across music and media.
Here’s your end-of-week movers & shakers rundown (Aug 29–Sep 5, 2025) — tight, verified, and cut for sync folk, supes, publishers, and dealmakers. If I missed anyone on your radar, ping me and I’ll fold them into the next blast.
Monti Olson → EVP, Publishing (North America), BMG
The Litmus Music co-founder (Carlyle-backed catalog deals with Katy Perry, Randy Newman, etc.) returns to BMG to run U.S. publishing — explicitly tasked with “new signings and catalog acquisitions.” Translation: BMG’s deal engine is revving back up across L.A./Nashville/NYC. BMG
Christopher Södergren → EVP, Direct-to-Consumer Strategy & Ops, Sony Music
Ex-UMG commerce lead gets a newly created global DTC seat at Sony. Expect tighter pipes between artist stores, merch, fan clubs, and data — the kind of plumbing that makes or breaks campaign ROI. (Official release.) Sony
Jenni Pfaff → Chief People & Transformation Officer, HYBE America
Warner Chappell alum (strategy/integration) is tapped by HYBE America CEO/Chairman Isaac Lee. Read this as culture + org design underpinning the HYBE/BMLG/QC chessboard in the States.
Cindy Gu → GM, Southeast Asia, Virgin Music Group (UMG)
Ex-Fabled/Astralwerks/Spinnin’ exec takes the SEA hub (Singapore-based) with Liza Fuady reporting in from Jakarta. Indie services in the region keep getting real — Gu’s resume is pure cross-border repertoire building. (Photo: Argel Ramiro)
Big Machine Label Group (HYBE) → International Team Upgrades
Promotions for Alex Hannaby (adds VP, International Marketing & Ops to Head of UK), Iren Coutiel, Roxanne Gwillam-Kelly, and Flo Myerscough-Harris; plus a new addition, Cary Dal-Lago. Country keeps globalizing; BMLG’s UK/Aus radio wins aren’t a fluke.
In the press release announcing the news, BMLG noted that the all-female team will continue to lead the label’s international efforts across key markets, including the UK, Australia, and beyond.
(Pictured (L-R): Flo Myerscough-Harris, Roxanne Gwillam-Kelly, Alex Hannaby, Cary Dal-Lago, Iren Coutiel - Photo Credit: Carsten Windhorst)
Victor Roque → Sr. Director, A&R & Client Dev (LATAM), Symphonic Distribution
Alongside a new Puerto Rico partnership with High Ground Music (ex-Rimas leadership - the home of talents like Bad Bunny, Eladio Carrión, and Mora). Symphonic plants a firmer flag in the Caribbean/LATAM pipeline. Useful lane for independent repertoire looking beyond Miami.
Jordi Tello → Managing Director, Iberia, Sony Music Publishing
Succeeds longtime Spain MD Juan Ignacio Alonso (retired end of Aug). Oversight of Spain/Portugal with a clear A&R pedigree — Rels B, Arde Bogotá, Morad, RVFV — and direct line to Guy Henderson. (Courtesy of Sony Music Publishing)
James Moodie → Managing Director, Distiller Music Group (UK)
Ex-The Orchard/Vevo exec jumps to indie Distiller; announcement paired with a YONAKA signing. Expect artist-services DNA to shape Distiller’s next phase.
Warner Music realigns UK/US label leadership
Ed Howard & Briony Turner (Atlantic UK) join Atlantic Music Group’s global leadership under Elliot Grainge; Joe Kentish (Warner Records/Parlophone UK) joins Warner Records’ global leadership under Aaron Bay-Schuck/Tom Corson. This is about accelerating cross-Atlantic A&R/marketing flow while WMUK CEO Tony Harlow exits in October.
Daniel Monaghan → Exec Director, Entertainment Content, Foxtel (Australia)
Streaming-adjacent but relevant: longtime Network 10/Paramount ANZ programming lead heads to Foxtel Group, impacting commissioning/licensing lanes for music-driven TV in the region. Variety Australia
✨ Closing Note
That’s a wrap for this week’s Movers & Shakers. From publishing power plays to global streaming strategy, the music and media industry never stays still. Check back next Friday for more moves — and don’t forget, in this business, the beat always goes on.
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