On The Move: John Ternus to Succeed Tim Cook at Apple; Beatport Names New CEO

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.

Beatport is making a leadership transition: Matt Gralen, who served as President and CFO, will take over as CEO, while chief Robb McDaniels moves into the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Helen Sartory, currently Chief Revenue Officer, steps up to President and COO. McDaniels joined in 2017 after the collapse of parent company SFX Entertainment. Gralen and Sartory, both 2022 hires, have been central to Beatport's strategy and revenue operations in the years since.

John Ternus, Apple's SVP of Hardware Engineering and a 25-year Apple veteran, will assume the CEO role on September 2026. Tim Cook, who has led the company since 2011, will transition to executive chairman, remaining involved through the handover and taking on a focus in global policy engagement. The change comes as Apple marks its 50th anniversary and follows what the company called a long-term succession planning process.

Believe has promoted Akhila Shankar to Director of Artist Services for India and South Asia. Shankar steps into the role vacated by Shilpa Sharda, who spent 12 years at the company. She brings substantial regional experience, most recently heading TuneCore South Asia since early 2024, and before that holding a director-level position at podcast platform Luminary and spending over seven years at Indian streaming service JioSaavn. In her new capacity, she'll oversee artist development, partnerships, and market support across the region.

Symphonic has brought on Michelle Garramone as Head of Strategic Partnerships. In the role, she'll drive the company's push into catalog acquisitions and manage relationships with catalog owners, investment funds, and brand partners globally. Garramone comes with more than 15 years of experience across artist, label, and rights-holder services. Most recently as President of Blue Rose Music and subsequently running her own advisory practice focused on independent music companies.

Sphere Entertainment has promoted David Dibble to Vice Chairman, a step up from his previous role as Special Advisor to Executive Chairman and CEO James Dolan. Dibble has been with the company since 2016, when he joined as CEO of MSG Ventures. In his new position, he'll work alongside leadership to advance Sphere's tech stack as the company looks to expand into a global network of venues.

Jody Williams Songs has made two moves: Tenasie Courtright, previously Creative Director at the Nashville publishing company, has been bumped up to Director, Creative & A&R. Separately, Jonah Gordon joins the company as Manager, Sync & A&R, coming over from Big Yellow Dog Music's sync department.

Elsewhere in the industry…

• Duetti, the independent catalog acquisition company, has named Gavin Rudolph as its head of A&R.

• Oak View Group has appointed Michele Powell as General Manager of venue operations at the University of Kansas, where she will oversee David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the newly launched Naismith Club at Allen Fieldhouse.

• Wendy Recio has been promoted to Head of Legal & Administration for Spain and Portugal at Warner Chappell Music.

• Mike Bindraban joins New Village Management, expanding the company's European footprint.

• Jesse Stoll has been elevated to Executive VP of Global Touring at Icon Concerts & LiveCo.

• Chris Marking has joined Live Nation as EVP of International Venue Sponsorship, moving over from AEG where he spent two decades.

• Tim Miles joins BMG as EVP of Global Sync, bringing a decade of experience leading the division across 25+ markets at Warner Music Group.

• After nine years at MCA Nashville, Taylor Sloane has departed to launch her own venture, Dream Big Music.

• Chase Armstrong has joined The Listening Room as Director of Sales & Marketing.

• Darren Pfeffer has been named Chief Commercial Officer at Production Resource Group.

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