Create, Runner, Legends Make Executive Moves

Label veteran Julia Betley has joined Runner Music as head of sync, the company announced. Based in Los Angeles and reporting to president of A&R and co‑chief creative officer Amanda Hill, Betley began the role Jan. 5 and will lead Runner’s newly formed sync department, overseeing music placements across film, television, advertising, gaming and emerging media. Betley brings more than 17 years of experience in creative sync and licensing, most recently serving as svp of creative sync licensing at Warner Records, where she supported major placements for artists including Zach Bryan and Benson Boone. She previously spent a decade at RCA Records and began her career at Bug Music — in a role that earned her a spot in Billboard’s 30 Under 30 list. Runner Music, founded by Ryan Tedder with Andrew Sparkler and Hill, has rapidly expanded its publishing and A&R footprint since launching.

Legends Global has appointed Josh Kritzler as president, North American venues and content, where he will oversee operations, content,and booking for the company’s network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers.  Kritzler, who previously served as executive vp of strategy and chief of staff, played a central role in the Legends–ASM Global integration and led wide-reaching strategic initiatives. Before joining Legends, he co‑founded 4FRONT, growing it into a major global sports and entertainment agency. Legends’ North American network spans more than 250 venues, including Soldier Field in Chicago, the Superdome in New Orleans and T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, among many others. CEO Dan Levy said Kritzler brings “an entrepreneurial mindset” and an ability to align “strategy, content, and execution” to better serve the company’s partners.

Christian Copyright Licensing International‘s longtime president Gary Christensen announced he will retire on Oct. 30, after 28 years with the organization. Christensen joined CCLI in 1998 following a two‑decade banking career and later served as chief intellectual property officer, overseeing publisher relations, contracts, rights management and copyright issues. He became president in 2023. Earlier this year, Nate Scott and Matt McCoy were promoted to co‑presidents of The CCLI Group of Companies, which includes CCLI, Loop Community, Sunday Sounds, Christian Copyright Solutions and WorshipTools. Christensen will remain as outgoing president through October to support the transition. Scott and McCoy bring extensive leadership experience in operations, music technology and church‑focused product development.

Symphonic has expanded its AI strategy by hiring Davis Natzle and Andrew Bebo as AI business analysts to support the company’s growing suite of AI-driven tools. Reporting to vp of product Ali Lieberman, Natzle and Bebo will help design and implement new AI programs that streamline internal workflows and enhance client services. Natzle, a songwriter and founder of The Plug Music Administration, brings music publishing and entrepreneurial experience, while Bebo adds five years of business analysis expertise with a focus on automation and generative AI. Their roles will fuel future innovation alongside Symphonic’s new AI Release Marketing Plan Generator and upcoming AI licensing partnerships, all aimed at improving efficiency and expanding creative support for artists and labels.

ADA, the independent distribution division of Warner Music, has welcomed Allie Barbera as senior director of A&R and label acquisition after seven years at FUGA, where she most recently served as senior director of business development for the Americas. During her tenure, she led high‑value partnerships and helped develop the technology and infrastructure supporting FUGA’s expanding roster across North and Latin America. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Barbera brings deep technical and distribution expertise to ADA. Global Head of Content Acquisition MaryLynne Drexler said her knowledge will be “invaluable” as ADA scales and positions its partners for global growth.

Trust Records has appointed Sam Siegler and Mike Nucero as creative directors, formalizing the work they’ve led since 2020 under their design banner Easy Does It. The duo has shaped the label’s visual identity and storytelling, helping revive classic punk releases while driving partnerships with Vans, Brain Dead, Beyond The Streets and others. Siegler, a longtime drummer for influential hardcore bands including Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today, brings extensive creative and industry experience, while Nucero adds a background in design, brand strategy and cultural marketing for major brands like Supreme, UMG and MLB. “Sammy is a unicorn,” said Trust founder Matt Pincus. “One of the finest and most widely respected musicians to come out of punk and hardcore, he is also a world class creative who, in partnership with Mike, has helped Trust steward the stories of these classic punk and hardcore artists.”

Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) has appointed five new members — Omar Al‑joulani, Colin Lewis, Mona Scott‑Young, Jerry Clark and Jennifer Drake — to its executive leadership council as the organization expands its industry impact. Co‑founders Shawn Holiday and Willie “Prophet” Stiggers said the new leaders bring proven expertise that will strengthen BMAC’s work in advancing equity, accountability and access across the music business. Scott‑Young will help guide initiatives supporting women’s equity, while Drake and Clark will help expand BMAC’s presence in Atlanta. The council will play a central role in shaping long‑term strategy as BMAC scales programming, policy advocacy and partnerships across the U.S. and internationally.

Patron Saints of Music has hired Allie Moskovits as its new head of sync and business development, a role created to guide the company’s sync strategy beyond the world of unscripted TV. Moskovits will oversee music placement, partnerships and catalog diversification across film, TV, ads, gaming and emerging media. She brings 11 years of experience, most recently leading BMG’s TV & Film production music department, where she drove major studio deals and grew its catalog. Her background also spans Berlanti Productions and ABC. She will also serve as a 2026 SXSW mentor, hosting a one‑on‑one sync session in Austin as Patron Saints positions itself for broader commercial opportunities.  “Sync is evolving quickly,” Moskovits noted, “and I look forward to growing this historic company into bold new opportunities that connect its incredible music with today’s expansive media landscape.”

ERN’s Cadillac Music, which singer-songwriter ERNEST launched in partnership with Big Loud Publishing in 2023, has added three to its team. Dane Schmidt (pictured) has been named senior director of A&R, where he will oversee the roster of writers including Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Jacob Durrett, Mark Holman, Rafe Tenpenny and Rhys Rutherford. Schmidt previously led his own creative management company, Daschent, which he launched in 2022. Additionally, Jordan Marcus joins as creative coordinator/executive assistant, and Jude Warren joins as A&R/Executive assistant. According to ERNEST, the team they’ve assembled feels “full circle” and reflects the close-knit, family-like environment they’ve built. –Jessica Nicholson
 
 
 

Amani Hite has been promoted to senior manager of social media at BMI, based in the New York office. She works alongside director Lyndsey McFail to drive social strategy across all genres, using data‑driven planning to boost engagement and brand visibility. Hite oversees campaigns for major BMI events, including the BMI Stage at ACL, SXSW, and the company’s awards shows and showcases. She recently led social efforts for the 2025 BMI Country Awards, including a first‑of‑its‑kind partnership with INFINITI USA. Since joining BMI in 2021, she has advanced quickly, producing high‑impact video, managing playlists and leading community engagement.

Nashville-based artist development, management and publishing company Back Blocks Music has named Kirby Mathews as vice president of publishing. Mathews previously worked at companies including Riser House Music and Play It Again Music. Back Blocks’ roster includes Ashley Cooke, Blake Pendergrass, Ethan Burdick and Tucker Wetmore. “Kirby is a songwriter’s advocate in every sense of the word. Her creative instincts, leadership and commitment to service make her an incredible addition to our team,” Back Blocks founder/CEO Rakiyah Marshall said in a statement. “We’re proud to welcome her as VP of Publishing.” –Jessica Nicholson
 

Vydia, the gamma.-owned music distribution platform, has promoted June Saba and Tony Girakhoo to vice president of label and artist relations. Both will help expand Vydia’s roster and strengthen support for independent labels, managers, and artists. Saba, with nearly seven years at Vydia, has driven global success with artists like Zeddy Will, Champz and 4Batz, while securing major partnerships including Afrobeats powerhouse The Plug and Anomaly Publishing. Girakhoo, an eight-year Vydia veteran, has signed Zinoleesky, Kenyon Dixon, and RedOne’s 2101 Records, and recently closed a deal with French Montana’s Coke Boys. He has also grown Vydia’s publishing division and secured 500+ sync placements. 

Natalie Blakley has joined PERK PR & Creative Agency as the Nashville firm continues expanding its reach across music, culture, and the creative industries. Blakley, known for her storytelling and artist‑development skills, will support PR campaigns, client strategy and daily communications. She joins a growing roster that includes Riser House, Ashley Anne, Hayden Coffman, Dani Jack, Dylan Jakobsen, Peech., and more. PERK, founded by Trevor Perkins, has built a reputation for adaptable publicity and creative services for both signed and independent artists. “We’ve been incredibly intentional about growing the team in a way that protects the culture we’ve built,” said Perkins. “Natalie immediately stood out because of her professionalism, her curiosity, and the way she shows up with genuine care.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has promoted four staff members across its marketing, guest relations and human resources teams. Maggie Banker has been elevated to senior director of marketing and joins the museum’s senior staff, where she will lead owned and paid media strategies and integrated campaigns. Denise Alvis has been promoted to director of human resources, overseeing recruiting, training, employee relations and organizational policies. In guest relations, Nancy Cason becomes associate director of guest experience, managing all visitor-facing operations for the museum, Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B. Additionally, Meredith Rife has been named associate director of social media, leading organic content, audience engagement and performance analytics for the museum’s digital platforms.