Executive Turntable: MNRK Names COO; Blackbear Launches Management Collective

MNRK Music Group promoted Sean Stevenson to COO in New York; he was previously executive vp and general manager. In his expanded role, Stevenson will broaden his operational oversight beyond the company’s frontline recorded business into its management, publishing and music department lines of business.

Blackbear (born Matthew Musto) launched Beartrap Management, where he will serve as CEO. His current managers, Samantha Maners and TJ Musto, along with manager Zael Ellenhorn (Kina, Ben Zaidi, Phil Bentley, Oshi), join at launch. Beartrap is described as a management collective that will see managers work together to maximize opportunities for the company’s artists. The team is actively seeking additional managers to join the venture.

Andrew Ludwick was promoted to vp of business development, digital at Warner Chappell Music (WCM); he was previously director of digital innovation. In the role, he’ll work directly with major technology partners and outside counsel in the digital space, acting as the commercial lead to close licensing agreements. He will also oversee business opportunities in developing markets and partner with WCM’s finance, administration and operations teams to ensure cohesion across the company’s digital supply chain.

The BPI named musician, composer and broadcaster YolanDa Brown as its new chair. She takes over from film producer and ex-Sony Music UK head Ged Doherty.

MUSIC, the investment company launched by Matt Pincus and LionTree in April, named Sun-Ui Yum as a principal. In the newly-created role, Yum will help identify and negotiate investment opportunities for the company.

Travis Sampson was appointed senior vp and chief technology officer at Sofi Stadium and Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. Sampson will oversee technology, including its implementation and infrastructure, for SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, and additionally oversee the technology and broadcast departments.

Tyson Haller was named senior vp of promotion and artist strategy at Shelter Music Group in New York. Shelter also expanded its London office by adding Marco Gattinoni to the company’s partnership with AYITA management and promoted Clay Busch, who relocated to Shelter’s Nashville office, to vp of brand partnerships.

Jeanell English was promoted to executive vp of impact and inclusion at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; she was previously vp of impact and operations. In the newly created role, English will lead the Academy’s initiatives to address underrepresentation across the industry and to discover, empower and advance the work of emerging and diverse film artists, in part by overseeing the organization’s talent development programs known as Academy Gold. She will continue to oversee the Academy’s sustainability, representation, inclusion and accessibility efforts.

Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures, producer Oak Felder and Romanian entertainment company HaHaHa Production formed the joint venture Romdrops, a publishing and production company designed to expand opportunities for artists, producers, and songwriters across the globe.

Independent music services company Kartel Music Group appointed Heather Swaine as managing director. She will help lead the team across all media promotion alongside head of promotion Tom Poole and head of media Federica Furlotti.

Taran Smith was promoted to account manager at Milestone Publicity in Nashville; she was previously associate publicist.

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