ASCAP has named media veteran Marc Zelanko as chief of staff, reporting directly to CEO Elizabeth Matthews. In this newly created role, Zelanko will help drive ASCAP’s mission to grow revenues and improve operational efficiency for its 1.1 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
Zelanko brings more than 20 years of experience in business operations and transformation within IP-driven media and entertainment companies. Most recently, he served as senior vice president at Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), where he led strategic initiatives to strengthen operations and streamline processes across global teams. His wins include organizing CEO-level leadership forums, managing the COVID Task Force to maintain operations for 15,000-plus U.S. employees, reducing liabilities through HR process improvements and coordinating the Viacom Marketing Council.
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In the aughts, he spent five year at MTV Networks, where he rose to senior vp of business operations and notably helped scale Scratch, a creative consultancy launched by the network.
Earlier in his career, Zelanko worked in the Media & Entertainment Group at Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds a degree from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Matthews praised Zelanko’s appointment, stating: “Marc is the perfect fit to help ASCAP deliver on our mission to grow revenues and drive efficiencies for the benefit of our more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers. He brings a wealth of experience working cross-functionally to lead complex global initiatives, and we are excited to add him to our senior leadership team.”
Zelanko added: “ASCAP has a mindset of innovation and evolution to meet the changing needs of its members and licensees. I look forward to bringing my expertise to ASCAP’s mission in support of improving the future for its songwriters, composers and music publishers.”
This announcement follows ASCAP’s recent hire of John Pershing as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Pershing, formerly with What If Media Group, brings extensive experience in IT, product development, and data engineering, further strengthening ASCAP’s leadership team.
Check out a full rundown of this week’s staffing news below.
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Anne-Marie Pearce & Chris Barton (PPL)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
UK-based collective management organization, PPL has appointed Anne-Marie Pearce as chief financial officer, succeeding Chris Barton, who will leave at the end of 2025 after seven years in the role. Reporting to CEO Peter Leathem, Pearce joins the executive leadership team and will oversee finance and distribution, ensuring royalty payments to recording rightsholders and performer members. She’ll also serve on the board of PPL PRS, the joint venture with PRS for Music. Pearce brings over 20 years of senior finance experience across media and entertainment, most recently as UK Country CFO at Publicis Groupe. Her career also includes leadership roles at Global Media & Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company. Leathem called Pearce “the ideal choice to help drive PPL’s next phase of growth,” and praised Barton’s “integrity and wisdom” as having been “invaluable to the company.”
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Dr. Steve Abrams (SoundCloud)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Soundcloud
SoundCloud has appointed Dr. Steve Abrams as chief technology officer, where he will lead the company’s global engineering team and drive its technology roadmap with a focus on AI/ML innovation, deeper artist-to-fan engagement, and advancing its creator-first product strategy. Based in NYC, he reports directly to CEO Eliah Seton. Abrams previously led engineering for YouTube Music’s Knowledge & Discovery team at Google, where he oversaw development of artist tools, personalized recommendations, and music intelligence. His career also includes launching IBM Watson, leading global data science at United Technologies, and building large-scale data platforms at Bridgewater Associates.
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Alex Black (Peermusic)
Image Credit: Yulissa Mendoza
Indie publisher Peermusic has appointed Alex Black as vp of A&R. Based in Los Angeles, Black will report to Jamie Cerreta, president of U.S. and Canada, and lead efforts to sign and develop songwriters and producers for Peermusic’s U.S. roster. Black brings over 18 years of A&R experience, previously serving as vp at Hipgnosis Songs Group and Big Deal Music Group, where he signed artists like Beach House, Amber Mark and Lucy Dacus, among others. His career also includes roles at Warner Records and Interscope, working with acts such as Tegan and Sara and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Black also runs Home Run Management on the side, representing cktrl and others. This appointment follows recent A&R leadership changes at Peermusic, including the August hiring of Cerreta (also ex-Hipgnosis) and then appointment of Dave Ayers to evp of A&R in September. Cerretta noted: “I know that [Black] is a talented A&R executive whose dedication, creativity, and expertise will help to bring our songwriters even more success artistically and commercially.”
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Christopher Winters (Sphere)
Image Credit: Alive Coverage
Sphere Entertainment has appointed Christopher Winters as senior vice president, controller and principal accounting officer, effective Nov. 24. Winters previously served as vp of accounting at Madison Square Garden Entertainment, overseeing technical accounting and policy matters, as well as divisional controller duties for marketing partnerships and hospitality. His career spans roles at MSG Sports and earlier at Ernst & Young, where he specialized in media and technology clients. Winters’ promotion comes on the heels of Lath Taki’s departure as svp, controller and PAO at his old digs at MSGE.
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Kenny ‘Tick’ Salcido (Renaissance Entertainment Company)
Image Credit: Ashlee Brown
Kenny “Tick” Salcido has launched Renaissance Entertainment Company, a creative services firm offering A&R, artist development, and strategic support to artists, managers, labels, and publishers. Salcido’s vision emphasizes authentic collaboration and the revival of true artist development, rooted in his decades of experience and passion for nurturing talent. Formerly SVP/Head of A&R at Red Bull Records, Salcido oversaw signings and partnerships for artists like Beartooth, Blxst, Albert Hammond Jr., and The Aces. His career began at Grand Royal Records and includes roles at DreamWorks, Epic, and Warner, where he signed Wiz Khalifa and Terrace Martin. Renaissance aims to combine Salcido’s industry expertise with hands-on advocacy, offering personalized support and creative resources, including a private studio space, to empower artists and partners.
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Andrew Friedman (Stage Left Global)
Image Credit: Corey Kimball
Stage Left Global, a Philly-based independent international touring agency, officially launches under veteran agent Andrew Friedman. Built on an artist-first, DIY ethos, the agency represents a diverse roster spanning genres and cultures, including Button Masher, Taylor Eigsti, Sungazer, Thundersmack, Lau Noah and more. Stage Left Global says it is one of the few U.S. agencies booking globally while ensuring artists maintain full creative control. Friedman, who previously founded Candlewick Artists and worked with Royal Artist Group, sees the company as a movement rooted in strong relationships and long-term strategy. Partnering with Peter Bozem in Frankfurt, Stage Left Global offers comprehensive worldwide touring strategies.
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Rupert Hollier + Rosie Hill (Atlantic Screen Group)
Image Credit: Rupert Hollier and Rosie Hill (Courtesy of Atlantic Screen Group)
Atlantic Screen Group has announced an expansion of its music publishing and sync operations, alongside key promotions and partnerships. Rupert Hollier has been promoted to chief operating officer, while Rosie Hill becomes president of Nightjar Music and Nightjar Songs Publishing after driving significant growth since 2021. Former Decca Records sync executive Tom Paul joins Nightjar’s sync team, and Nightjar has entered an exclusive creative publishing partnership with 5DB Studios, led by Alex Eden Smith. Founded in 2010, ASG operates globally across music publishing, supervision and film/TV music services through Atlantic Screen Music, Atlantic Screen Scores and Nightjar. Simon Fawcett, CEO off ASG said “our latest moves underscores our commitment to expanding our creative ecosystem while remaining independent, collaborative, and writer/artist-focused in a fast-evolving global music landscape.”
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ICYMI
Image Credit: Alison Buck/WireImage
Wasserman Music strengthened its U.K. division with three senior hires. Paul Ryan joined as SVP and agent, bringing extensive experience in rock and metal, including work with Bring Me the Horizon. Rebecca Laurie became tour marketing manager, leveraging over a decade in festival and tour marketing at AEG and DICE. Chris Lander is now vp of artist services, following senior roles at Global Media … Austin Daboh exited his senior role at Atlantic Records after five years, where he served as EVP of Atlantic Records U.K. and, since 2023, as President of Black Music … Finally, we lost Claire Rothman (pictured), former president and general manager of The Forum near L.A. She was 97.
