Latest Music Industry Hires: TuneCore, UMG, Gap, Fender, SESAC, Merlin, Rostrum Pacific, More

Mike Gitter, Frontiers Label Group’s global A&R head. Photo Credit: Evan Moses

Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of January 16th, 2026.

If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the latest music industry hires here.

TuneCore

TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson has exited the role and transitioned to strategic advisor for the distributor’s Believe parent.

Country Music Association

Sarah Trahern, CMA’s CEO since 2014, has announced plans to retire at 2026’s end.

Immersive Design Labs

Audio Test Kitchen founder Alex Oana has signed on as Immersive Design Labs’ West Coast sales rep.

UMG

Hannah Poferl, most recently the New York Times’ chief data officer, has joined Universal Music in the same position.

Hybe America

Hybe America has tapped Gene Whitney, who joins from Riot Games, as its general counsel.

Frontiers Label Group

Frontiers has formally launched a “metal, hard rock and extreme music label” called BLKIIBLK Records, which Mike Gitter (previously with Century Media Records) will lead while also serving as global A&R head.

Academy of Country Music

The ACM has confirmed Parking Management Company vet Elizabeth Hagler as head of operations for people and culture. Additionally, Julie Alcaraz, formerly with Concord, has come aboard as a senior accountant.

Finally, the ACM’s Lifting Lives philanthropic partner has boosted Brooke Boyd, part of the team since 2023, to coordinator.

Gap Inc.

Pam Kaufman will start as Gap’s first chief entertainment officer (and EVP) on February 2nd.

With the company’s brand teams remaining in the driver’s seat, the former Paramount higher-up will help “ideas travel further through the right relationships and platforms.”

Fender

Edward Cole, Fender Asia Pacific’s president of 11 years, is set to begin as the instruments manufacturer’s CEO on February 16th.

SESAC

London-based Karousel Music co-founder Chris Sheehan has joined SESAC as creative VP.

Rostrum Pacific

Rostrum has officially launched SpaceHeater and confirmed former ADA exec Samantha Moore as the distribution division’s president.

Meta

Longtime Goldman Sachs partner Dina Powell McCormick has joined Meta as president and vice chairman.

NYC Media & Entertainment Office

In New York City, Freelancers Union executive director Rafael Espinal has been named commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

Merlin

Merlin has announced its 2026-27 board, including five newly elected members: MAD Solutions and Engage Music founder Bugwu Aneto-Okeke (Nigeria); Exceleration partner Charles Caldas (Portugal); Starbase director Manami Ogawa (Japan); Domino digital partnerships head Rachel Buswell (U.K.); and Zebralution co-founder Sascha Lazimbat (Germany).

Goldenvoice

AEG Presents’ Goldenvoice has hired San Francisco-based talent buyer Luke Hanna, who will support the booking team behind the Warfield and the Regency Ballroom.

CAA

Creative Artists Agency has added UTA vet Maxim Karlik as a global touring agent.

WMA

WMA has officially elevated 10-year team member Crystina Cinti to global SVP and announced Kelsi Ring (formerly Red Bull Records’ PR director) as its stateside VP of PR, social, and marketing.

Lastly, having spent nine years as a Vevo producer, Nick Calafato is now WMA’s global head of film and photography.

GMR

Global Music Rights’ chief business officer of eight years, Jeff Toig, is shifting to CEO, with existing CEO Randy Grimmett pivoting to executive chairman.