Executive Turntable: Live Nation Veteran Lands Dream Job — Plus, Longtime Atlantic Counsel Joins Sedlmayr

Michael Kushner, a longtime executive vice president of business & legal affairs and general counsel at Atlantic Records, has joined Sedlmayr & Associates as Of Counsel. He most recently served on Warner Music’s corporate legal team, advising on major strategic and transactional matters. At Sedlmayr, Kushner will provide high‑level counsel across recorded music, publishing and digital media. His career began at PolyGram, followed by senior roles at Philips Media, Crave Records, Sony, and Island Def Jam before his long tenure at Atlantic. Kushner was honored by the T.J. Martell Foundation in 2019 and received the 2024 Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) Service Award, which recognizes an attorney’s outstanding service to the music community. He has also served on the board of the arts organization Bang on a Can and as chairman of the Entertainment Law Initiative, and is a regular fixture in Billboard’s list of top music lawyers.

Sony Music Publishing has launched Sony Music Publishing Philippines, a new flagship office focused on developing and promoting Filipino songwriters globally. Stephanie Ortiz has been appointed General Manager, reporting to SMP Asia President Roslyn Pineda and leading creative and commercial strategy from Manila. SMP PH will collaborate with local labels, collection societies and industry partners to expand international opportunities for Filipino composers. Ortiz brings extensive experience from Universal Music Group Philippines, Believe Music, BDO Unibank and Smart Communications. The new office represents a strong roster including Ben&Ben, SB19’s John Paulo Nase, Josh Cullen Santos, Justin de Dios, DWTA, Ace Banzuelo, MATEO and more. Calling Ortiz’s appointment a “pivotal moment for our organization and the Filipino music landscape,” SMP president of Asia Roslyn Pineda said her “deep understanding of the industry will drive innovation and growth, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for creativity in the region.”

GoDigital Music has promoted Lauren Demarte to chief operating officer as the company accelerates its global expansion following GoDigital’s recent $230 million financing. Demarte — now the division’s first COO — will oversee operational strategy across GoDigital’s worldwide music and technology businesses, including its growing presence in Latin America, where she leads operations in Colombia. GoDigital Music manages a catalog of more than 80,000 assets spanning reggaetón, música Mexicana, afrobeats, k‑pop, country, and more, featuring artists such as Jason Derulo, T.I., Daddy Yankee, and Marc Anthony. With 15-plus years of experience, Demarte previously served as svp of marketing at Cinq Music Group. “Lauren carries the beautiful burden of being an extremely reliable executive and problem solver. She is everyone’s first call when faced with a challenge,” said GoDigital Music CEO, Logan Mulvey. “Her instincts and track record as an operator and a leader of people have put her squarely in the middle of our growth and evolution as a business.”

Creative Artists Agency has added London-based senior agent David Bradley, formerly a partner at WME and co-head of its pop division. With over a decade representing major global artists, Bradley has helped shape the careers of acts such as Dua Lipa, LCD Soundsystem, Carly Rae Jepsen and Greta Van Fleet, overseeing major tours across multiple continents. His arrival follows a year of significant departmental growth, adding top agents and clients including Pharrell, P!NK, Usher, Josh Groban, Incubus, System of a Down, Good Charlotte, Baby Metal and Pierce the Veil. “David is respected as an agent who knows how to build sustaining careers for his clients,” said CAA co-heads of global touring Emma Banks, Darryl Eaton and Rick Roskin. “His talent, integrity and forward-thinking leadership align with our mission to serve clients at the very highest level, and reflect CAA Music’s ongoing international expansion and position at the forefront of the global touring business.”

Boutique law firm Klaris has launched a new music practice and appointed Brendan Kehoe, formerly Spotify’s head of U.S. litigation and copyright, to lead the division. Kehoe brings extensive expertise shaped by overseeing Spotify’s copyright strategy, securing major legal victories — including actions against Anna’s Archive, defeating high‑value Mechanical Licensing Collective claims, and winning summary judgment in the Eminem‑related Eight Mile Style case. He also guided Spotify’s product compliance and supported its launch into 100-plus new markets. At Klaris, Kehoe will help creators, rights holders and platforms navigate music‑industry challenges involving AI, digital distribution, trademarks and rights management. 

Sun Label Group promoted several executives, including Ben Binner, who was upped to senior director of commercial development and strategy. Laura Pochodylo now works as director of strategy and marketing, while Olivia DeMasters was promoted to senior manager of catalog development and Green Hill strategy. Kayla Chandler was advanced to senior manager of catalog development, while Melissa Miller now serves as senior manager of operations and release planning at Sun Label Group. Erin Fligel has been promoted to content and design manager for Sun Label Group, while Tabitha Pugh rises to graphic design manager. Maggie Hairston has been promoted to streaming manager for Gaither Music Group, while Jeremy Maier now serves as streaming manager for Green Hill Music. Mary Clark Webb rises to social media manager for Green Hill Music, while Emma Jane Sharp has been promoted to manager, social media and content development for Sun Records. –Jessica Nicholson

AXS has promoted Julie Lamb to chief talent officer and Jason Boxer to chief financial officer, recognizing their leadership and influence on the company’s growth and long‑term strategy. Lamb, formerly SVP of Human Resources, will continue shaping AXS’s global people strategy with an expanded focus on talent development, organizational effectiveness and building a scalable, inclusive culture. Boxer, previously SVP of Accounting and Finance, will oversee financial planning, accounting, treasury and key growth initiatives, further strengthening the company’s financial discipline and operational scalability. Both execs will continue reporting to CEO Bryan Perez, who said Lamb has been instrumental in shaping AXS’s culture and ensuring the company fields “the best team in the industry.”

Shore Fire Media has announced four promotions across its Nashville, Brooklyn and Los Angeles offices, reflecting the publicity firm’s continued growth. Maria Eilert and Moya Crowley have been elevated to senior account executive, Micah Benton has been promoted to account executive, and Jenisse Sanches is now junior account executive. Eilert, based in Nashville, has risen through the company since 2020, contributing to major creator and brand campaigns. Crowley, in Brooklyn, has quickly become a key strategist supporting music, comedy and nonprofit clients. Benton, in Los Angeles, has worked on high‑profile music campaigns after joining in 2022. Sanches, also in Nashville, has made a “ strong impact in a short amount of time” since joining in 2024, the company said.

Position Music has appointed Garrett Ream and Mikelle Schwartz as co‑heads of the label division, with Ream leading creative and Schwartz overseeing marketing. Ream, who joined the company in 2024, will manage content, digital strategy and radio promotion while continuing to contribute to A&R. His work helped drive Hunter Metts’ viral hit “Weathervane” and supported the signing and release of Jutes’ Dilworth. Schwartz joins as Head of Label Marketing, bringing extensive experience from Nice Life, 88rising, Warner and Kemosabe, where she helped shape major campaigns for artists including Tinashe, The Marías, Joji and Doja Cat. CEO Tyler Bacon and president Mark Chipello said “we’re building a unique and powerful engine designed to serve artists at the highest level.”

Dynamic Talent International is uniting with key agents from Madison House, including Adam Bauer, to significantly expand its roster and strengthen its touring, brand partnerships, and global representation capabilities. The move brings renowned artists such as Men at Work, Sixpence None the Richer, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Steve Poltz into DTI’s expanding multi‑genre divisions, now spanning K‑pop, J‑pop, Country, Comedy, Dance Party, Adult Contemporary, Rock, Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass. The combined roster exceeds 600 clients, solidifying DTI as a major independent agency. Bauer and Jennaya Ramirez will join as partners, supporting DTI’s continued growth. The unified company will operate as Dynamic Talent International, headquartered in Nashville with offices in Sacramento, Europe, and soon Philadelphia.

Symphonic has promoted Guji Lorenzana to director of A&R and client development, APAC, strengthening its presence across the Asia-Pacific region. Lorenzana will lead regional A&R strategy, client development and team expansion across Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia and Australia. Since joining the company in 2024, he has secured major signings — including DYNA Music, Underdog Music, Kafka by the Sea, XTIE, SIVIA, Hitmakers Entertainment and more — while building Symphonic’s first APAC team. The company has also added Arie Legowo as A&R client development lead, Indonesia, and Abegail Ungab as senior manager, content, UGC & Rights Management. Both report to Lorenzana and bring extensive industry experience that will support Symphonic’s accelerated expansion across the region.

Music industry marketing firm Black Box has promoted Max Bodner to digital operations manager and Alexandra Nesi to commercial sales and partner relations manager. Bodner, who joined as an intern in 2021, has been instrumental in shaping Black Box’s digital‑first strategy and leading campaigns across its roster, rising quickly through multiple roles since being hired full‑time in 2022. Nesi, a USC graduate who started as a digital marketing Intern in 2022, has overseen company‑wide digital production and now leads DSP pitching and partnerships across 30-plus artists.

Anthem Group has appointed Phil Day as executive director of strategy, and Ben Birchall as executive director of brand, strengthening its leadership across global entertainment markets. Day brings nearly 20 years of experience in music and theatre, including roles at Ministry of Sound, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, as well as senior marketing positions at Live Nation APAC and Disney Theatrical Group Australia. Birchall adds over two decades of expertise in brand strategy and creativity from major advertising agencies. Founded in 2021, Anthem Group works across the UK, USA and APAC with clients such as The Australian Ballet, Live Nation, Opera Australia, Cirque du Soleil and more.