A2IM, Sony, iHeart, Discogs Make Executive Moves

iHeartMedia has promoted Mike McGuinness to chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1, under a newly amended employment agreement. McGuinness, who joined the company in 2019 and was most recently deputy CFO, will report to president and COO Richard Bressler. The amendment extends his contract through June 2030 and boosts his annual salary to $1.2 million, according to an accompanying SEC filing. McGuinness currently oversees accounting, tax, financial planning, reporting, treasury, real estate and investor relations for the radio giant. In 2024, he led a $4.8 billion debt refinancing, exceeded cost-saving goals by 20%, increased investor engagement, and secured a clean audit opinion. His prior roles include CFO at Monster Worldwide and senior finance positions at The Hain Celestial Group. 

Jeff Smarr has been elevated to senior vice president of global copyright at Sony Music Publishing, effective immediately. Based in Nashville, he will continue reporting to Dale Esworthy, the executive vp of worldwide administration. In his expanded role, Smarr will lead strategic initiatives and oversee high-profile deal and acquisition integrations while continuing to manage SMP’s global and North American copyright administration teams. With 31 years at the company, Smarr has played a key role in major catalog acquisitions such as ATV, Acuff-Rose and EMI, supporting iconic songwriters worldwide. Esworthy highlighted Smarr’s unmatched expertise, tagging him as the company’s “go-to expert” on copyright with an “encyclopedic” understanding of SMP’s catalog.

Jeffrey Smith, vice president of marketing at Discogs, announced he’ll leave the company in mid-December. In a LinkedIn post, Smith expressed thanks to colleagues and the global family of record collectors, shop owners and artists who define the platform. “Your creativity, conviction, and heart shaped me in ways I’ll carry into every chapter that follows,” he wrote, adding that Discogs’ mission to preserve analog culture remains vital. Smith hinted at a new venture in the record-collecting space to be revealed in the new year. At Discogs, Smith led growth marketing initiatives that expanded its cultural footprint. His career includes founding Crash Avenue and marketing leadership roles at Do502, Label X and the Louisville Ballet.

Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has revealed a round of promotions and hirings, with Carlos Monnaco (pictured, left) rising to evp of finance, and Garrett Davis (right) becoming svp of A&R. Also, CCMG radio promoter Elizabeth Brock has been namedvp of national promotions, while Michael Fogarty has joined CCMG as VP of digital marketing. “Each of them is key to CCMG’s future success, and I’m excited for the impact I know they are going to make in 2026,” said CCMG President Brad O’Donnell. This year, the label earned 17 Grammy nominations across the company and saw singer-songwriter Josiah Queen’s sophomore album Mt. Zion debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. Queen’s song “Dusty Bibles” also lands on Billboard’s 2025 Hot Christian Songs Year-End chart. –Jessica Nicholson

Alan Dye, Apple’s vp of UI design since 2015, is leaving to join Meta as chief design officer. Dye will start Dec. 31 (really?) and report to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth. Meta is launching a new creative studio within Reality Labs, giving Dye oversight of design for hardware, software and AI integration. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Threads thread that the studio will “define the next generation of products and experiences” by blending design, fashion, and technology. Dye will join other high-profile design leaders, including Billy Sorrentino from Apple. Back at Apple, Dye will be succeeded by Steve Lemay, a veteran designer credited with shaping major interfaces since 1999. Apple’s design team now reports directly to CEO Tim Cook.

Muk Posh officially launches its record label and creator-focused services today, led by founder Dimitri Dinas. Originally an artist management company representing acts like Sylo, Amaarae, Maz and Mother Apple, Muk Posh now adds a label arm, signing Sylo, Mother Apple and Blair Lee. Born in New York and raised in Salt Lake City, Dinas built his career through A&R scouting for Universal Music Canada and later founded Muk Posh in Los Angeles. “We are breaking rules in a saturated market where everyone thinks they have to follow them,” said Dinas.

Luma Business Management has promoted Mallori Kirchenschlager (pictured, standing) to the role of partner. Kirchenschlager joined Luma in 2023, and has previously held roles at FBMM Entertainment Business Management, IEBA and CAA. Luma Business Management was founded by industry executive Adrien Good in 2020. Good was recently named as one of Billboard’s 2025 Top Business Managers. –J.N.

Greg Goodfried has joined CAA as an agent in its creators division, where he’ll represent digital creators and podcasters while shaping strategy across CAA’s film, TV, music and sports businesses. Goodfried, co-creator of LonelyGirl15 and co-founder of EQAL, previously worked at UTA, partnered with TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, and launched DamGood Management. Former DamGood manager Jamie Guggenheim also joins CAA. THR first reported the new appointments within CAA’s creators division, which represents talent such as Amelia Dimoldenberg, iShowSpeed, Trisha Paytas and Liza Koshy, and recently expanded its roster to include Dhar Mann and Airrack. “There are few people who have so consistently moved the needle through innovation across the digital and creator landscape – Greg is one of them,” said CAA executive Brent Weinstein.

The AristoMedia Group has promoted Taylor Dickens (center) to senior publicist within its AristoPR division, and has hired Liza Anderson (left) as publicity coordinator for AristoPR and Amanda Anderson (right) as digital marketing coordinator at the company’s AristoDigital division. Prior to joining AristoMedia, Dickens served as tour publicist at All Eyes Media. Liza Anderson previously served as project manager and subscription manager/writer at MusicRow Magazine. Amanda Anderson previously worked with Nashville Rescue Mission, Tennessee Voices, and PEG Music. “Taylor’s years with Aristo have demonstrated her unwavering dedication, not only to our team but to every client she serves, and we’re proud to recognize her continued growth,” Christy Walker-Watkins, president and co-owner of The AristoMedia Group, said.  “Liza and Amanda bring incredible energy, creativity, and a genuine passion for our clients; qualities that will help carry our legacy forward.” –J.N.

GEODIS Park and Nashville Soccer Club have appointed Morgan Pitt as director of booking. Pitt will lead concert and entertainment bookings for GEODIS Park and Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, home to Huntsville City FC. She brings extensive experience from her recent role as senior concerts booking manager at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, where she secured performances by major artists including Ed Sheeran, Marcus Mumford, Bob Weir, Goose and others. Pitt’s background also spans roles with the Madison Square Garden Company and NBC News.

Mega Millions Music has officially launched as a next-generation record label aiming to redefine artist development Founded by entrepreneur Joseph Lipsey IV and entertainment attorney Joseph Adeife, the label combines innovative business infrastructure with a family-driven creative culture. Headquartered across Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Chattanooga and Miami, Mega Millions Music offers global distribution and leverages a partnership with EKHO Inc. Management, a network of 2,000 creators, for influencer marketing and digital amplification. Lipsey says the mission is to “bring genuine joy back into the music industry” through collaboration and trust, while Adeife emphasizes building sustainable careers beyond music. 

Warner Music Group amended CEO Robert Kyncl’s contract to grant $10 million in stock options issued in three tranches tied to 8%, 10% and 12% shareholder return over three years. The seven-year options vest annually and require sustained stock-price targets. Beginning January 2026, Kyncl will also receive a $5 million annual PSU grant tied to long-term goals. If terminated without cause or for good reason, he’ll receive severance equal to total annual target pay and related benefits.

Atlantic Music Group promoted Dave Rocco to the newly created role of chief creative officer, overseeing global creative strategy for the label group. In other industry moves, Bruce Houghton announced the closure of Skyline Artists Agency after 35 years, while Louis Carr (pictured) was appointed president of BET, succeeding Scott Mills, who revealed his departure after 23 years. Oak View Group officially named Chris Granger as CEO following five months in the interim role, and WME elevated Rob Markus to head of international for its contemporary music team.