Musical Chairs: August 29th, 2025
From the boardroom to the backlot, here are the winners!
Welcome to our very first Musical Chairs — from the boardroom to the backlot, here are the winners of this week’s game. 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.
Theresa Wolters named Executive Director of MusiCares
Formerly: Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy at the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors
Source: Morningstar / Business Wire
Commentary: From community champion to the helm of MusiCares — Wolters is stepping into the spotlight, ready to orchestrate support for artists with all the finesse of a conductor.
Ariana Arciniega joins Intercept Music as EVP, Global Operations & Business Development Strategy
Formerly: Global Head of Business Operations, UMG’s Ingrooves Music Group
Source: PR Newswire
Commentary: Arciniega’s global prowess hits the dance floor at Intercept — she’s now spinning the strategy that’ll amplify indie artists around the world.
James “Jamie” Cerreta appointed President, US & Canada at Peermusic
Formerly: EVP, Global Synchronization & Licensing at Peermusic
Source: Record of the Day
Commentary: Cerreta’s leveling up to steer Peermusic’s North American ship — time for the independent publishing powerhouse to sail even smoother.
Austen Adams becomes President of Warner Chappell Music Nashville
Formerly: COO at Big Loud
Source: Warner Music Group
Commentary: Adams is trading his Big Loud COO chair for the president’s throne at Warner Chappell Nashville. With a songwriting roster that reads like a hit parade, Nashville just got a new captain steering the publishing ship.
Lo Ting-Fai (Lofai) named President of Warner Music APAC
Formerly: CEO of Media Asia Group Holdings Ltd.
Source: Warner Music Group
Commentary: Lofai takes the helm of Warner Music’s Asia-Pacific division, bringing his entertainment empire chops to the global stage. From Hong Kong to Hollywood, expect some serious cross-Pacific waves.
Rayna Bass & Selim Bouab appointed Co-Presidents of Hip-Hop, R&B & Global Music at Atlantic Records
Formerly: Co-Presidents at 300 Entertainment
Source: Record of the Day
Commentary: Dynamic duo Bass and Bouab are turning up the volume at Atlantic, moving from 300 to co-pilot the label’s hip-hop and R&B empire. Expect playlists to get hotter, faster.
Lanre Gaba named Executive VP, Artist Strategy & Development at Atlantic Music Group
Formerly: Co-President at 300 Entertainment
Source: Record of the Day
Commentary: Gaba shifts gears into a top AMG strategy role, bringing her artist-first vision to the forefront. If you thought Atlantic was already artist-centric, Lanre just turned the dial all the way up.
Vanessa Rose to become President & CEO of New Music USA
Formerly: Executive Director of the American Composers Forum
Source: EarRelevant
Commentary: Rose takes the baton at New Music USA this fall, succeeding Vanessa Reed. Two Vanessas, one legacy — and Rose is ready to write the next movement.
Steeve Führ joins Amuse as Chief Financial Officer
Formerly: CFO at Epidemic Sound
Source: Record of the Day
Commentary: Führ’s next act? Crunching the numbers at Amuse, where indie distribution meets major ambition. If growth is the goal, he’s the CFO with the calculator — and the swagger — to do it.
✨ Closing Note
That’s a wrap for this week’s game of Musical Chairs. 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 (and the seats) always goes on.
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