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INFAMOUS PR named Maxfield Frieser as CEO, with founder Alastair Duncan making the pivot to a new chairman role. Frieser, who joined in 2015 and most recently served as COO, helped build the PR agency’s festival and artist divisions, working with acts like Rüfüs Du Sol, RZA and Carl Craig, along with labels like Warner Records and Life & Death. His promotion aligns with INFAMOUS’ European expansion, launching a new office in Barcelona that’ll be led by Frieser and new hire Paul Geddis, who arrives from Sónar Festival. Assisting Geddis across the EU will be London-based communications pro Jamie Milton. Serving over 30 festivals and a diverse artist roster, the agency supports global clients like Time Warp, Sónar and Love Family Park. Duncan praised Frieser’s leadership, saying “there is no one I trust more to oversee the next chapter of our growth, and continue the excellence and innovation that INFAMOUS prides itself on.” Founded in 2008, INFAMOUS now has 13 staff across LA, NYC, London and Barcelona.
MNRK Music Group elevated Tina Warwick to senior vp of commerce and sales. In her expanded role, she will lead global strategy across streaming, digital and commercial platforms, reporting to COO Chris Moncada. Warwick will continue overseeing commerce and operations teams, focusing on data-driven strategy, DSP partnerships and international planning for MNRK’s growing roster. With over 20 years of experience, the LA-based Warwick joined MNRK in 2022 as vp of sales after holding senior roles at ADA/Warner Music Group and Sanctuary Records. “Tina’s unique perspective and leadership have been a great asset to MNRK from the very beginning of her tenure,” said Moncada.
The Country Music Association announced a wave of recent promotions and hirings. Emily Evans has been promoted to senior vp of business strategy and operations, taking over direction of the strategic partnerships team. Jenny Methling has been hired as senior director of strategic partnerships and will oversee CMA’ brand partnerships department; Methling previously served as vp of strategic partnerships at Musicians On Call. Devin Ford has been promoted to senior manager of social media. Luke Johnson has been hired as staff accountant, following time with Wilson Bank and Trust. Zarah Goldberg is the new video content creator, having previously held the role of digital marketing coordinator at Fox Nose Records. Finally, Liliana Manyara has been on-boarded as international industry relations coordinator, and previously worked at SESAC as licensing coordinator. –Jessica Nicholson
Major label vets Katie Vinten and Zach Lund partnered with Eclipse Music Group to launch Wild Child Music, a boutique management company. The company’s roster includes Delacey, Hayden Blount, Valley James, Cece Coakley and more. Vinten, formerly svp of A&R at Columbia Records and co-head of A&R at Warner Chappell, has worked with artists like Leon Bridges, Julia Michaels and Kygo. Lund, previously director of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group, has collab’d with Stephen Sanchez (“Until I Found You”) and Cage the Elephant’s Matt Shultz. Eclipse’s leadership praised Vintner and Lund’s “drive, authenticity and commitment to artistic integrity” as “unmatched.”
Stern Management is making its U.K. debut by bringing on London-based talent manager Andrew Mishko and operations expert Jill Irvine. Mishko, formerly with Bad Habit and PC Music, brings a roster including EKKSTACY, Witch Post and Martha Skye Murphy. Irvine, based in Colorado, has over a decade of experience across management, agency and venue operations. Their hiring follows a wave of major successes for Stern artists, including Djo topping U.S. Alternative Radio and surpassing 2.5 billion streams, and Finn Wolfhard releasing his debut solo LP and completing a sold-out tour. Mishko, with a background in touring and brand partnerships and Irvine, known for elevating Grammy-winning talent, will strengthen Stern’s global presence.
Veteran publicist Jenny Huynh joined Big Loud Rock as director of media, where she will lead press strategy and execution, reporting to senior leadership. Huynh brings extensive experience from her time at 2b Entertainment and Warner Records, where she led national campaigns for artists like Green Day, Shania Twain, My Chemical Romance and David Guetta. She began her career at Rogers & Cowan PMK and is known for her strong media relationships and creative storytelling. Excited to join Big Loud Rock, Huynh praised the team’s energy and leadership. Label president Joey Moi highlighted her “fresh perspective” and “strong connections” as “key in helping our artists stand out.”
Alan D. Valentine will retire as president and CEO of the Nashville Symphony at the end of the 2025-2026 season, concluding a transformative 28-year tenure. Since 1998, Valentine has led the Symphony through major milestones, including the creation of Schermerhorn Symphony Center, $145 million in fundraising and 14 Grammy wins. Under his leadership, the Nashville Symphony expanded its reach to over 550,000 people annually, launched the acclaimed Accelerando program, and emerged stronger after overcoming major challenges like the 2010 flood. A national search for his successor is underway, with acclaimed conductor Leonard Slatkin returning as music advisor in September 2025 to ensure artistic continuity during the transition. Valentine called his time at the symphony “the honor of a lifetime.”
NASHVILLE NOTES: SMACKSongs promoted Sam Sarno to senior creative director of publishing. In this expanded role, she will continue working with the current roster while also focusing on signing and developing new talent. Sarno has played a key role in the success of artists like Lalo Guzman, Josh Dorr, and Johnny Clawson … Triple Tigers’ Akando Music promotion group added two regional directors: East director Christina Kosters and West director Greg Raneiri. Kosters arrives from Capitol Christian Music Group, where she was Southeast director of national promotion, while Raneiri formerly was KSON San Diego assistant PD/music director.
NAMM announced new leadership for its NAMM Young Professionals (YP) and Women of NAMM (WoN) groups. Erin Kessler (Maple Leaf Strings) will serve as NAMM YP president, joined by Scott Rife (Eastman Music Co.) as vice president and Matthew Kennedy (C.F. Martin & Co.) as secretary-treasurer. Leanne Chu (Gator Co.) has been named chair of WoN, with Gayle Eline (Menchey Music Service) as vice chair and Morgane Devos (Shure Inc.) as secretary. These leaders will guide NAMM’s fastest-growing communities, aligning with the organization’s broader mission.
Slacker Media Group appointed Joe Pulito as director of operations, bringing over a decade of experience in live entertainment, talent buying and tour production. Pulito will oversee daily operations and lead the scaling of the Boston-based company’s national event portfolio — including It’s A 2000s Party and Sploinky Rave — while streamlining internal processes and expanding production capabilities. Since its founding, SMG has sold over 250,000 tickets and generated nearly $4 million in revenue, pioneering innovations like real-time hologram visuals in live events through Sploinky Rave.
ICYMI: The Motion Picture Academy elected a president … AWAL promoted three … Warner Records realigned … Spotify’s ad chief dashed … UMG lost a board member … and DCP named its first CCO. Find these stories here.
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