Creative Nation A&R higher-up Cole Brown. Photo Credit: Emily Stearns
Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of November 14th, 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.
Merlin
Merlin has boosted longtime higher-up (and current COO) Charlie Lexton to CEO effective January 1st.
BMG/Bertelsmann
Thomas Coesfeld is expected to begin as Bertelsmann’s chairman and CEO in 2027 – while also remaining at the helm of the conglomerate’s BMG subsidiary.
Creative Nation
Creative Nation has hired Cole Brown as publishing, management, and records A&R.
WMG
Warner Music has elevated engineering SVP Leho Nigul to chief technology officer effective December 1st.
BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc. has announced multiple promotions, with over 13-year team member Nina Carter becoming executive director of partnerships and events in Nashville.
Meanwhile, Marché Butler (who’s based in Atlanta), MaryAnn Keen (Nashville), Katie Kilgallen (New York), Chris McCormick (also New York), and David Streit (Los Angeles) alike are now senior creative directors.
Lastly, the PRO has upped Nashville-based Claire Dodelin to associate creative director and bumped LA-based Alex Bostelman to creative director.
Sony Music Publishing
SMP has tapped IT vet Michael Young to serve as chief information officer and promoted Dee Hale (who’s been with the company since 1993) to SVP of film and TV administration.
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Former ATG Entertainment exec Mark Cornell will begin as president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil this coming Monday, November 17th, when interim CEO Daniel Lamarre will return to his executive vice chairman board role.
Amuse
Amuse investor and interim CEO Giorgio D’Ambrosio has stepped into the post on a permanent basis. Additionally, Firebird Music COO Dan Rowe has joined the company’s board.
Warner Records Nashville
Warner Records Nashville (previously Warner Music Nashville) has confirmed multi-decade team member Cris Lacy as president and chair.
Gregg Nadel, formerly co-chair and co-president, “will be taking on a new leadership role within Warner Music Group, with details to be announced shortly.”
Mercury
Simple Stupid Records GM Jackson Weingart is signing on as Mercury Records’ VP of marketing and digital strategy.
Secretly Distribution
Secretly Distribution has established an APAC division and enlisted Sydney-based Max Thomas, part of the company since 2021, to lead the unit. And in London, Secretly has promoted 11-year higher-up Chris Cannon to VP of international strategy.
Criterion Theater
Courtney Sale will begin as Criterion Theater’s executive director in February 2026.
Lickd
Lickd has brought on Christopher Collins as marketing director.
MSG Entertainment
MSG Entertainment’s SVP, controller, and principal accounting officer, Layth Taki, has abruptly stepped down after about 15 months; CFO David Collins has taken the accounting reins on an interim basis.
“Mr. Taki’s separation from the Company is not a result of any disagreement with the Company’s independent auditors or any member of management on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or internal controls,” MSG Entertainment elaborated in a regulatory filing.
Big Machine Label Group
Big Machine has hired or formally confirmed hiring several professionals: former Monument Records manager Ansley Neeley as senior marketing manager; Jennifer Kelleher as publicity and comms director; UMG Nashville vet Sarah Bertrand as digital marketing director; Taylor Perez as digital marketing manager; and Kaitlin Mays as digital marketing senior manager.
On the promotions side, Big Machine has revealed new roles for four-year team member Jenna Udell (audience development manager); three-year higher-up Emily Haupt (marketing manager); and project manager Sara Benz, who’s now marketing director.
MCA Nashville
Music Corporation of America has upped Taylor Viegut (ecommerce and business development VP) and Tatiana Angulo (streaming marketing VP).
