Music Industry Moves: Avex USA Names Ryusuke Kamada CFO

Avex USA has tapped Ryusuke (Ryan) Kamada as chief financial officer. Kamada has been with Avex since 2018, and joined Avex USA from Avex’s Japanese headquarters in January 2020.

Avex expanded its global and North American operation under Kamada’s guidance. He developed and implemented corporate strategy of Avex USA, and co-ran Avex’s Future of Music Fund. Additionally, Kamada led the company’s strategic investments including the recent deal with Brandon Silverstein’s S10, a global partnership between S10 and Roc Nation.

In Japan, he served as the chief producer of Avex’s Investment Group, overseeing key investments such as M&A deals and corporate venture capital investments with Japanese influencer and entertainment companies. Prior to that, he worked in investment banking at JP Morgan’s Tokyo office.

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“Ryan’s strategic vision and expertise in global finance have been instrumental in driving Avex USA’s growth,” said Avex USA CEO Naoki Osada. “Along with his excellent business and legal knowledge, his sincere respect and passion for songwriters are integral to the company culture.”

Added Kamada, “I am thrilled to contribute to the continued growth of Avex USA by bringing my experience and skills to drive its expansion and globalization in the U.S. and beyond. Avex USA brings together my passion for music and international business in a way that is both motivating and inspiring. I believe this is a great moment for Japanese entertainment to thrive globally, and I am excited to be a part of this movement.”

+ Los Angeles-based executive Luke Armitage joined Warner Records as senior VP of global marketing, leading international marketing efforts and strategy for the label’s U.S. roster.

He reports to Jessica Keeley-Carter, WMG’s chief marketing officer, and will collaborate closely with Warner Records’ co-chairmen Tom Corson and Aaron Bay-Schuck. Luke arrives after six years of overseeing global marketing strategies at Capitol Music Group’s Astralwerks Records, where he supported the release of Marshmello’s “Happier” and Alesso and Katy Perry’s “When I’m Gone,” plus titles from the Chemical Brothers, Fisher and Meduza. Prior to his time at Astralwerks, he served in various roles across Universal Music Group’s international division in London, Metropolis Studios, and Universal Music Publishing.

+ The Latin Recording Academy has announced its “Latin Grammy Sessions: 25 Años” as a culmination of the 25th anniversary celebrations. This digital piece features conversations between five renowned artists with long-standing music careers and younger musicians who they have a special admiration for and who they invited to collaborate on one of their iconic songs.

The featured artists are Gilberto Gil, Juanes, Carlos Vives, Chucho Valdés and Mon Laferte. The project was executive produced by Laura Dergal, head of marketing and content development at the Latin Academy, along with Fine and Dandy Films.

The full-length “Latin Grammy Sessions: 25 Años” will be available exclusively via the Latin Grammys’ Facebook channel, and the individual performances are available as Instagram Reels on the Latin Recording Academy and artists’ Instagram accounts.

+ Rimas Publishing has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with music producer Mr. Sonic (Santana, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Don Omar).

Emilio Morales, managing director of Rimas Publishing, said, “We’re thrilled to have Mr. Sonic as part of the Rimas Publishing family. We’re excited to continue working alongside him in creating new proposals that will define the future of music in New York. His ability to blend genres and his creativity perfectly align with our vision of supporting our artists in their continued growth and reaching new frontiers. We firmly believe his music will continue to impact global audiences and take Latin music to new heights.”

Tuesday, Dec. 17

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals has upped Co-President and Chief Programming Officer Hugh Forrest to president of the company.

Forrest will continue to oversee the programming departments while taking over current Co-President and Chief Brand Officer Jann Baskett’s role. Baskett will step down on Dec. 31, transitioning to an advisory and project-based role.

Forrest’s new role will focus on continued guidance over the business, including new growth opportunities. He will work closely with SXSW’s Board of Directors, which includes SXSW Executive Chairman Roland Swenson, CEO of Penske Media Jay Penske, and CEO of the Future Today Institute Amy Webb.

“I’m tremendously excited about leading SXSW over this next phase of growth,” said
Forrest. “The experience of connection, inspiration and discovery that we provide for so many different industries each March has never been more relevant than now. There are so many opportunities to build community not only in Austin, but with our new SXSW affiliate events in Sydney and London.”

Added Baskett, “I’ve been honored to lead SXSW alongside Hugh and a team who are passionate about helping creative people achieve their goals. Never has that purpose been more necessary, and SXSW continues to be a beacon of light for artists and change makers. I’m excited to continue this work with the company as an advisor.”

“I want to extend my gratitude to Jann Baskett for her leadership, commitment, and creative vision as Co-President of SXSW over the past few years,” said Jay Penske, Chairman and CEO of Penske Media. “Her contributions have been key in evolving the festival. Looking ahead, we are confident that Hugh Forrest will continue SXSW’s long tradition of supporting innovators and artists, expanding our global footprint, and building upon the incredible foundation of the world’s premier gathering of creative minds.”

+ Atlanta-based law firm Arrington & Phillips, LLP has named Aurielle Brooks as a partner — she is the first non-founding partner of the Black-owned firm and also its first woman partner. The firm was founded in 2010 by Vincent Phillips, who launched BME Records with Lil Jon, and Marvin Arrington, Jr., who is a commissioner in Atlanta. Brooks will be focused primarily on entertainment, business and intellectual property law but will also participate in the general practice section of the firm. Artists she played a key role in bringing to the firm include Sexyy Red, NoCap, DC Young Fly and Rome Flynn, and she has worked closely with NBA Youngboy, Fredo Bang, Lil Baby through his furnishing company Wolf Pack Global, Kevin Gates and Bow Wow.

+ Sphere Entertainment Co. announced today that Marcus Ellington has joined the company as executive vice president, ad sales and sponsorships for Sphere.

In this new role, Ellington will develop and lead Sphere’s ad sales and sponsorships organization focused on maximizing revenue, creating growth opportunities, and managing client relations across marquee assets, including the Exosphere – the venue’s fully programmable LED exterior.

Ellington will drive new brand-centric opportunities for the Exosphere, including those that extend the platform’s reach across experiential activations such as drone shows. He will also be responsible for developing broader Sphere-wide marketing partnerships. Ellington will be based in New York and report to Jennifer Koester, Sphere’s president and chief operating officer.

He joins Sphere from Google, where he held sales and partnership roles of increasing responsibility over more than a decade with the company.

+ Clio Music will honor OneRepublic frontman, Ryan Tedder, with the Honorary Clio Music Award at the 2025 Clio Music Awards on Jan. 30. The awards ceremony will bring together leaders from across the music industry to celebrate creative work from the past year that has pushed boundaries in areas like fan engagement, live music, music videos, music supervision, branded entertainment and content, design, social media, public relations and more.

Clio will celebrate Tedder’s contributions to the music industry as both a headlining frontman and a producer. As a three-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, and lead vocalist of OneRepublic, Tedder has collaborated with icons like Adele, Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran, earning accolades such as the Songwriter Icon Award and three RIAA Diamond Awards while contributing to over 500 million record sales.

“We’ve really stepped up our game for this year’s awards, with a new venue and an emphasis on the quality in production that the Clios are known for,” said Michael Kauffman, executive director of Clio Music. “We’re thrilled to honor the unparalleled contributions of Ryan Tedder, alongside an exceptional lineup of Grand Clio Music Award winners and special guests. As we celebrate during GRAMMY week in Los Angeles, it’s the perfect moment to recognize the groundbreaking creativity and cultural impact that drives our industry forward.”

+ Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and Rolling Loud have partnered to prioritize activism, community, and awareness of social justice issues with a series of programs “continuing their mission to fight against all forms of discrimination and inspire them to be the change they want to see in the world,” according to the announcement. Most recently, the partnership between BMAC and Rolling Loud, which began in 2022, presented the BMAC Live Accelerator Program at Rolling Loud Miami, engaging with the local community of Miami Gardens to find young, emerging talent interested in a career in live music event production. The BMAC Live group worked as paid interns with the press team, legal team, and the artists relations team. BMAC and Rolling Loud also collaborated to host 25 emerging music artists and industry executives from the roster of BMAC mentorship programming.

Prophet, CEO and cofounder of BMAC, said, “The artist community has the reach, the influence and the power to force this nation to live up to its promise. Artists have always provided the soundtrack that inspired or provoked change in this world. As others turn down the volume around the issue of racial and social justice, we salute a company who’s willing to keep the noise LOUD and the movement alive!” 

Rolling Loud co-founder/CEO Tariq Cherif added, “Rolling Loud is proud to use our platform to help the Black Music Action Coalition in its mission to keep the fight for racial and social justice alive. Hip-hop is rooted in community, and it’s important for all members of the culture to do their part.”  

+ Sony Music Publishing Nashville announced it has partnered with Electric Feel to sign Eddie Eberle of the band Eddie and The Getaway to a global publishing agreement.

Eberle is a 24-year-old artist, songwriter, and producer with notable cuts including LECADE’s “Sober Me Up,” “Painkillers,” “Backroad,” as well as Jay Webb’s “Down Here.” He also has been touring heavily throughout the Midwest/Southeast and Texas.

Eberle said, “I couldn’t be more stoked to sign with Sony Music Publishing and Electric Feel. I have no doubt that having a family like Austin Rosen, John Bradley, Rusty Gaston and Josh Van Valkenburg will help me take my writing to a whole new level. Their belief in me is something special and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”

Sony Music Publishing Nashville EVP, Creative A&R Josh Van Valkenburg said, “Eddie Eberle is already a force to be reckoned with, and his career is just getting started. He’s a triple threat as an artist/songwriter/producer and he will be a positive disruptor in an industry that needs more originality and risk-takers. Sony Music Publishing is honored to be a part of his journey.”

+ Concord Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter/producer Justin Donahue, known professionally as Jung Youth. Building upon a longstanding relationship with Donahue, the worldwide co-publishing deal, effective immediately, includes his full catalog and all future works.

The Nashville based hip-hop artist’s recent songwriting credits include songs with NCT 127, Tommee Profitt, Cherub, hip-hop duo Social Club Misfits, alternative pop artist Devon Again, and Snow Wife.

“I have always felt at home with Concord and am grateful to officially continue creating in harmony with everyone on the publishing team,” said Donahue. “Our genuine camaraderie is a gift that I cherish–thank you for championing my work and artistic vision, and fostering environments around the world for making and sharing a great legacy of music and memories together, past, present, and future. We are just getting started!”

“Justin [Donahue] is truly one of one,” said Brad Kennard, senior VP of A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “As an artist, a songwriter, and a producer, he is uniquely at home across so many genres yet delivers his authentic self in every situation. He exudes individuality, passion, and humanity. We are so fired up to have Justin as part of the Concord family.”