Executive Turntable: Weverse Company Appoints Zooil Yang as President — Plus, Too Lost, WME & More Hires

Jay Moore has been appointed as Too Lost’s chief investment officer, the company announced. He most recently served as head of investments at Position Music, and assisted in the acquisition of Gesaffelstein’s publishing and masters catalog.

“Jay brings a rare combination of investment discipline, catalog expertise and real operating experience inside the modern music business,” Gregory Hirschhorn, CEO and co-founder of Too Lost, said in a statement. “As Too Lost continues to expand our role as both a technology platform and a capital partner for independent artists and labels, Jay’s leadership will be instrumental in helping us identify high-quality opportunities, structure thoughtful deals, and build a long-term investment strategy that supports the next generation of music rights owners.”

WME has hired Ollie Fitzgerald as executive, music for visual media, based in the London office and reporting to Bradley Rainey, head of visual media at the agency.

“Ollie has identified and elevated the careers of some of the most exciting emerging composers and artists working in visual media today,” Rainey said in a statement. “His addition to our team in London strengthens our footprint there and brings the kind of curatorial instinct and industry relationships what will have a real impact for our clients and team.”

Longview Communications, a firm specializing in entertainment, media and technology, announced its formal launch, led by founder and CEO Andrew Fixmer and executive vp Jamie Diamond.

“Longview was built to help companies and leaders communicate with clarity at pivotal moments,” Fixmer said in a statement. “Jamie and I bring complementary experience across corporate reputation, entertainment, media, music and technology, and a shared belief that the strongest communications strategies are grounded in business objectives. We work with clients to sharpen their story, strengthen their position and navigating high-stakes situations with credibility and impact.”

Todd Stepp has returned to Provident Entertainment in the role of senior vp, overseeing all marketing, digital marketing, creative and label services activities for the company. Stepp previously served as vp, marketing for Provident before joining TPR., where he served as senior vp of global marketing.

“We are excited to welcome Todd Stepp back to the Provident family,” Holly Zabka, president of Provident Entertainment, said in a statement. “Todd is a proven leader who has earned the respect of this industry over the course of 19 years of exceptional work and genuine relationships. His understanding of the Christian music landscape, creatively, commercially, and culturally, runs deep. Todd was an integral part of building what Provident is today, and we are incredibly excited to have him back to help lead what comes next.”

James Dai has launched Soka Records, an independent artist studio and label. Based out of Los Angeles, Dai previously managed keshi and boywithuke, and is stepping away from his day-to-day management duties to focus on the new venture.

“As the music landscape grows to be increasingly focused on distribution and marketing, I want to offer a different approach that prioritizes creative development,” Dai said in a statement. “It’s almost like a return to tradition. Taking inspiration from classical developmental labels like Motown while using updated marketing practices.”

Dai attended Soka University of America in Orange County, Calif., before leaving school to focus on his career in the music industry. After serving an internship at Motown Records, he discovered and began managing keshi in 2018, helping the artist grow from 150-capacity venues to Madison Square Garden.

Steph Agathis, the 23-year-old executive behind Vitalize Projects, has launched Vitalize Records, with new signings including indie folk singer-songwriter Mia Hayward for distribution and country-pop artist Coleman Rowe.

“I’m incredibly excited for the launch of Vitalize Records,” Agathis said in a statement. “We’re continuing to build on everything we’ve established on the management side, and I’m passionate about developing new acts, creating new music, and building artists through true partnership and collaboration — always putting the artist first, above all else. This is about true artist development, and creating an environment where artists can truly grow, evolve and realize their full creative potential.”

The Chamber Group announced the launch of its philanthropy, arts and culture department, with Edwin Tetteh Jr. to oversee the department as its director. He will continue reporting to CEO Chris Chambers

“I’m grateful to work alongside the visionary leaders here at The Chamber Group,” Tetteh Hr. said in a statement. “Together, we’ve taken companies and artists who are masters at their crafts, poured into them and expanded their reach. I look forward to scaling this work and bringing attention to the incredible work being done across the nonprofit sector and the arts.”

Chambers added, “Watching Edwin grow into a seasoned PR executive and brand builder has been a true gift and pleasure. Edwin takes his craft seriously as he looks to understand the clients’ goals and their trajectory as he designs plans where research and creative ideas are implemented. I’m excited to witness Edwin in his new leadership role of director of philanthropy, arts and culture here at The Chamber Group.”

3686 Records has hired Murray Decock as director of business development, Alexandra Gilbert as label manager, Frank Door as creative director and Chad White as social media manager.

“This expansion represents a major step forward for 3686 Records and the artists we serve,” co-founders Levi Hummon and Eric Arjes said in a joint statement. “Every person joining the team shares our passion for artist development and our belief that independent artists deserve both creative support and sustainable career opportunities. We’re building something intentionally artist-first, and this team helps strengthen that vision.”

Decock said, “I was immediately drawn to Levi and Eric’s combined passion and mission for 3386 Records. Together, we revisited and refashioned the business plan, shared it with interested investors, and that helped us successfully complete our first serious round of funding. These new investment funds have helped the co-founders hire much-needed staff for label management, social media, digital marketing, creative content and general public relations. We’ve also created an Advisory Council for the label, comprised of professionals across many industries, to serve as a source of ideas and feedback. It’s a very exciting time to be part of 3686.”

Berlin-founded music intelligence and operations company Tracks & Fields, which has managed more than 100 million euros in music licensing and artist partnership projects for brands like Mercedes-Benz, Aldi and Zalando, according to a press release, opened a London office and hired Mark Mullooly as managing director UK. Mullooly previously served in leadership roles at Superunion and Siegel+Gale.

“The UK remains one of the world’s most influential advertising and production markets,” said Christian Mix-Linzer, founder of Tracks & Fields, in a statement. “Many of the industry’s most important music and cultural decisions are shaped here. Brands and agencies are increasingly looking for partners that combine cultural understanding with operational accountability. Mark understands both sides of that exceptionally well.”

Blackstar, an agency that specializes in helping artists with social strategy, fan communities, digital campaigns and more, appointed Ed Watson as artist strategy director. Watson’s experience includes senior roles at BBC Radio 1, 1xtra and Asian Network. The New York-based executive will support Blackstar’s U.S. artist strategy team in New York and Los Angeles.

“I’m really excited to join Blackstar at a time when the connection between artists and audiences has never been more important,” said Watson. “Blackstar has built a reputation for thoughtful, fan-led strategy and creative work that genuinely supports artists. Being able to contribute to that, while helping grow the company’s presence in New York, is an exciting opportunity.”

“Ed brings a rare mix of strategic thinking, creative instinct and cultural awareness,” added Blackstar founder Olivia Hobbs. “His background working closely with artists and teams, combined with his understanding of social platforms and fan communities, makes him a natural fit for how we work. This role strengthens our presence in New York while continuing to build on the relationships and projects we’ve developed across the US market.” — Chris Eggertsen

Deborah Harpur, a veteran marketing rights executive, has founded FanClub AI, a new tech company that’s building an intellectual property asset repository — dubbed FanClub Library Vault — that Harpur describes in a press release as “the first secure global repository where AI can be trained to recognize assets, block their unauthorized usage and monetize them while setting clear ethical guidelines for how the IP can be used.”

FanClub AI’s founding executive team also includes Kymber Lim, a visual effects, media tech and spatial computing expert who will lead interactive development; Paige Pedersen, formerly of fashion company LVMH; Sierra Jones, who has worked in marketing and brand partnerships across film and gaming; and Charlotte Amouy Adjchavanic, formerly of the L’Oréal Group.

“Every IP holder urgently needs rights infrastructure as AI accelerates on a parabolic curve toward AGI,” said Harpur in a statement. “FanClub AI is proactively building the cornerstone and laying the foundation to unblock adoption rates by providing a trust layer, bridging the gap collaboratively with tech companies and ensuring progress doesn’t erode human creativity.” — Chris Eggertsen

Nashville music executive Chrissy Nix has launched artist development company The Interlude. The new company manages artists including Remy Garrison, JB Somers and Amy Peters.

Nix’s career includes experience in branding, photography, touring, content strategy and artist development, serving as a creative director on a tour for Ledger, working in creative direction and photography for the band Skillet, serving as a creative director on a photoshoot for the artwork for Kelsea Ballerini’s single “Dibs,” and working with artists including Caitlyn Smith, Emily West and Priscilla Block.

“The Interlude exists because artists deserve teams that care about who they are just as much as what they create,” Nix said in a statement. “So much of this industry pushes artists to move faster, be louder, and fit into boxes. I wanted to build something that creates space for artists to actually develop — creatively, emotionally, and sustainably.” — Jessica Nicholson