Executive Turntable: Craig Ericson Launches Vaux Records, WME Announces Multiple New Hires

WME announced the hirings of Barbara Frum, Michelle Martinez and Jana Recmanikova as agents in its contemporary music department, as well as the promotions of Kath Butler and Giulia Spadaro 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.

Frum 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.

Martinez’s roster includes clients “Jai’Len Josey, Soulidified and Oliver Malcom, and she will work across the WME roster for college bookings. She previously served as an agent at CAA.

“We’re excited for Barbara and Michelle to join the team and to see the value they create for our clients,” Sommer said in a statement. “Their cross-disciplinary approach, combining backgrounds in creative touring and non-traditional strategy, will serve our clients well.”

Recmanikova will be part of WME’s 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.

Butler and Spadaro will be focused on international touring in their new roles.

“These appointments add to the incredible team in our U.K. office,” Josh Javor, head of London Music for WME, said in a statement. “Jana’s 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’s success for the past several years. We are excited for them to take this next step in their careers as agents.”

Warner Music Finland announced the launch of Atlantic Records Finland. Fredi Lundén spearheads the new label as director of Atlantic Records Finland. Kristiina Wheeler joines as senior A&R.

The label’s roster includes Averagekidluke, Isac Elliot, Juuna Chill, Kerza, SANNI and William.

“Kristiina and Fredi are both extremely successful because they have a strong, passion-rooted vision that surpasses genres,” Ramona Forsström, managing director of Warner Music Finland, said in a statement. “They 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.”

Jim Mahoney has been promoted to Chief Membership Officer at Merlin. Mahoney first joined the company in 2014, helping to establish the company’s North American operations.

“It’s an honor to take on this position at such an important moment for Merlin and for the independent music community more broadly,” Mahoney said in a statement. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and their artists power the successes of our digital partners. I’m excited to continue building on the strong foundation we’ve created, ensuring they have the tools, access and advocacy they need to compete and succeed on a global stage.”

Prior to joining Merlin, Mahoney served as vp at A2IM and held an independent label seat on the board of SoundExchange.

In addition to promoting Mahoney, Merlin announced Bela Zecker has been elevat4ed to senior director of global membership development, John Mercer Danher as director of media relations and Ben Sperling as manager of global membership development.

“I’m incredibly pleased to see Bela, Ben and Joe step into these well-deserved new roles,” Mahoney said. “Each of them has made a significant impact at Merlin. Their expertise, commitment and understanding of our global community is instrumental in Merlin’s support of our members and driving Merlin’s continued success worldwide.”

Charlie Lexton, Merlin’s CEO, added, “These promotions reflect the depth of talent at Merlin. Jim’s promotion and the creation of the Chief Membership Officer role recognize Jim’s exceptional leadership and the fundamental nature of Merlin as a member-based organization. Jim has been instrumental in the growth and development of Merlin’s membership, and his promotion is an acknowledgement of the role he has played for some time. His deep understanding of our sector and Merlin’s 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.”

Olympia Events, the company managed by Legends Global, announced Richard Harris 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.

“Richard will play a critical role in strengthening our technology foundations while helping us become a more insight-led, data-driven business,” Alex Lewis, COO at Olympia Events, said in a statement. “His ability to translate business needs into practical, outcome-focused solutions will be key as we continue to grow and diversify.

“Our ambition is to place customer-led thinking at the center of every decision,” Lewis continued. “Richard’s leadership will support greater collaboration across teams and help us deliver even better experiences for our organizers, exhibitors and visitors.”

Harris added, “This role represents a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a globally recognized venue at a pivotal moment in its history. I’m 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.”

With Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, the exhibition dedicated to the life and career of Dolly Parton, expected to open in fall 2026, Lacey Criss 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.

Criss’ 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.

Guitar Center has named Jennifer Hatton president of Music & Arts, the company’s 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.

“Music 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,” Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center, said in a statement. “Jennifer has spent her career serving the education sector while building scalable operations, and that’s exactly what Music & Arts needs to keep growing.”

Hatton added, “This 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’m here to make sure we keep earning it.”

RECORDS announced the promotions of Andrew Saltman to senior vp of artist development and Sara Gil to general manager.

“Working under Barry’s leadership over the past decade has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this next chapter as senior vp, artist development,” Saltman said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to champion career artists, helping them grow, evolve and navigate an ever-changing music landscape.”

Gil added, “I’m 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’s 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.”

Weiss said, “Andrew 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’m incredibly proud to recognize their contributions with these well-deserved promotions.”

Jackie Turner 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’s partnership arm.

“When 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,” Turner said in a statement. “The brand has grown for 25 years because there’s something powerful about making every kid feel like a star. I’ll know I’m successful in this new role if those letters never stop coming.”

Sasha Junk, president of Kidz Bop added, “Jackie 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’m 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.”

Riser House Entertainment has added Shane Allen as Exec. VP of promotion and artist brand strategy, where Allen will lead the label’s promotion department and help guide long-term artist branding and strategic vision.

Additionally, several Riser House Entertainment executives were promoted into expanded roles. Megan Stottlemyer has been named VP of Label Operations, Alex Heimerman has been promoted to Head of Marketing and Label Strategy, and Jason VanAuken has risen to VP of Business Affairs.

Riser House was founded in 2016 by Johnson, Matt Swanson, and Mitchell Tenpenny. The company’s roster includes Tenpenny, Dillon Carmichael, Meghan Patrick, Stephen Day, Coiler, The Wldlfe, Ash Ruder, Scarhaven, I C RED, and Identity Crisis.

Erik Andersen 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’s Mountain Stage.

“It’s 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,” Andersen said in a statement. “I’m 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’m excited to see the future unfold.”

Dan Hawie has been promoted to managing director of Last Gang Records, MNRK Music Group announced. He will report to Randy Derebegian, vp of artist development, and Chris Moncada, COO of MNRK Music Group.

“I’m incredibly honored to carry the legacy of Last Gang forward,” Hawie, who will be based in Toronto, said in a statement. “Twenty-one years in our ‘Us Against The World’ 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’m 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.”

Moncada said, “Dan cares deeply about the legacy of the label and artists who built it. I’m thrilled to see him evolve into this role and continue to forge the path of Last Gang for years to come.”

Derebegian added, “Dan has already been an integral part of Last Gang’s success over the past decade, and I couldn’t 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.”