Spotify Names Head of Talk Verticals: Executive Turntable – Billboard

Spotify promoted Maya Prohovnik to head of talk verticals after she aced her role as director of research and development for talk verticals by leading the development of every innovative creator product the company has built in recent years, from interactive polls to video podcasts. Prohovnik will now oversee Spotify’s efforts to recruit new creators, including podcasters, and ideate features. She will manage the company’s live-audio product, video podcasting and Anchor, the podcast hosting and creation service that Spotify acquired in 2019.

BRIC, a multi-disciplinary arts and media institution, will appoint industry veteran Wes Jackson as president of the organization, effective July 18. In his new role, Jackson will spearhead the Brooklyn-based, 40,000-square-foot arts-and-media complex that attracts 100,000 annual visitors to its live performances, visual arts exhibitions, media making and education  programs. The facility includes the BRIC Gallery, a project room for small-scale contemporary art exhibitions; a glass-walled television studio where BRIC TV is filmed and broadcasts; and a state-of-the-art public access media center, home to BRIC ‘s media education programs, editing and podcasting studios.

Activist Artists Management is expanding abroad after appointing Jonathan Heeter as head of Asia for Activist. The industry veteran and fluent Mandarin speaker will identify opportunities for the company’s clients in Asia, with a focus in Greater China where Heeter has more than two decades of experience representing major labels, international artists and brands. The Activist roster is comprised of recording artists, actors, entertainment and media brands including: The Lumineers, Alec Benjamin, Empire of the Sun, Grateful Dead, Dead & Company, Bobby Weir, Dwight Yoakam, Brittney Spencer, Michael Franti & Spearhead, All Elite Wrestling and more. Heeter can be reached at Heeter@activist.co.

NEON16 appointed Juan Pablo Victoria as vp of its newly launched producer, songwriter management and publishing division. The Colombian-born “JP” began his career as an intern at NEON16 before rising to junior manager then earning his new promotion. He will develop and lead clients to reach their highest potential within the industry on a global scale.  The vp will oversee all of NEON16’s producer, songwriter management and publishing operations. The company’s roster includes producers Tainy, The Rudeboyz, Albert Hype, Manuel Lara, Jota Rosa, MVSIS, Daramola — plus songwriters Gaby Morales and Rozo.

Lyte, a reservations technology platform, promoted Lawrence Peryer to chief commercial officer. The former chief strategy officer will now oversee all of Lyte’s commercial and revenue functions including research and analysis, business development, partnerships sales, solutions and client services in addition to a team responsible for Lyte’s business results as the company aims to revolutionize the e-commerce experience for artists, fans and live events.

Peter Leathem, CEO of music licensing collective management organization PPL, was re-elected to the Board of global trade company SCAPR for a second four-year term. Leathem was re-elected by the organization’s members at its General Assembly in Rome. The SCAPR Board oversees and guides the organization in its work developing strategies and administrative systems that support the effective collection and distribution of payments to performers, including rights revenues paid to performers. SCAPR (The Societies’ Council for the Collective Management of Performers) currently represents 56 CMOs from 41 countries.

Primary Wave hired veteran music manager Robby Hoffman on its talent management division. With more than three decades of music industry and management experience, Hoffman will focus on expanding the company’s already impressive roster of management clients, which includes Melissa Etheridge, Cypress Hill, CeeLo Green, Fantasia, Salt-N-Pepa, Aly & AJ and more. Hoffman and his clients, including classic rock band Extreme, will now have access to Primary Wave’s talent management infrastructure — which includes an in-house press division, A&R/writer-producer relations team, branding division and digital strategy group. Hoffman’s clients can also be supported by Primary Wave’s in-house film, television, video game, commercial advertising and TV development team. The manager can be reached at  rhoffman@primarywave.com.

The Fowlkes Firm hired Ameer Ali as its newest associate attorney. With his experience in contract negotiation, deal structuring and intellectual property protection, the Sacred Heart University and University of San Diego School of Law graduate will represent producers, artists and other creative companies at the entertainment law practice. He can be reached at ameer@fowlkesfirm.com.