On The Move: David Goldsen Rises to EVP at Warner Chappell, UTA Taps James Wright as UK Music Co-Head

Each week, NIF & ROSTR tracks all the industry moves you need to know about. Promotions, hirings, farewells — have one you want to share? Click here.

Warner Chappell Music has promoted David Goldsen to Executive Vice President, A&R. The LA-based exec, who joined the publisher in 2009, has spent 15+ years championing a roster that now includes Zach Bryan, Sleep Token, Teddy Swims, Mitski, Vance Joy, and the Red Clay Strays. Goldsen continues to report to Ryan Press, President, North America, WCM.

United Talent Agency has promoted James Wright to Co-Head of its UK Music Group, where he'll lead the London office alongside fellow Co-Head Neil Warnock. Wright — who was also recently made partner at UTA — joined the agency in 2015 via its acquisition of The Agency Group, and currently represents Lizzo, Take That, John Legend, David Byrne, Jacob Collier, and Underworld.

The Academy of Country Music has named Andy Schuon as its next CEO, effective September 1, succeeding Damon Whiteside who stepped down in June. Schuon brings experience across MTV, VH1, Warner Bros. Records, UMG, and Ticketmaster to the role.

Believe has made another strategic appointment: Marcela Moreira has been named Country Director for Brazil, one of Believe's most important markets. Moreira brings over 16 years of experience across Sony Music and Warner Music, both in Brazil and internationally, and will oversee all of Believe's Brazilian business lines — Artist Services, Label & Artist Solutions, and TuneCore.

Play MPE and parent company Destiny Media Technologies have tapped Sharath Cherian as CEO. It's a notable pick — Cherian founded HipHopDX and grew it into one of the genre's go-to media destinations before selling, bringing a builder's pedigree to the B2B promo platform.

Elsewhere in the industry…

• Brian Shin, formerly Head of Growth at Perplexity, has joined fan engagement platform Laylo in the same role. The hire comes as Laylo expands its AI offerings, including a new UGC Agent that identifies fan-shot Instagram Stories and automatically requests the original footage.

• Timo Hoffmann has been appointed Head of A&R, Germany, at Frontiers Label Group, the Italy-based heavy music company behind Frontiers Music Srl, FLG Records, and BLKIIBLK Records. Hoffmann brings 20+ years of experience across PR, catalog, and product management at AFM Records and Atomic Fire Records/Reigning Phoenix Music, where he worked with artists including Doro, U.D.O., and Danzig.

• Andi Arya Dwi Putra has been promoted to Head of TuneCore, Indonesia, reporting to Cyrus Chen, Regional Head of TuneCore, APAC.

• Matt Ewald has been elevated to Head of A&R at Centricity Music, stepping up from his VP role after nearly a decade at the label. He succeeds outgoing President of A&R John Mays and will oversee artist discovery, signing, development, and long-term creative planning.

• Paul Grosser joins Riser House Entertainment as Director of Regional Promotion. A Belmont alum who came up through Sony Music Nashville, he most recently served as Associate Director of National Promotion before making the move.

Don't forget to check out our job board here.