NOISEMAKERS:
THE Q2 KICKOFF

In our latest roundup, we present eight rising professionals from various parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.

This week's entrants will also find their faces in our latest mag, which could make for a great (or dismal) conversation during Coachella week.

Brett Williams
SVP, Global Touring, AEG Presents

Williams has drunk wine, eaten pizza and discussed Dylan’s Basement Tapes with Robbie Robertson at his London flat; traveled through Asia eating dumplings with LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy; shared a cigarette with Liv Tyler at the Viper Room; and way back in 2011 sold 500k singles a week of Foster the People’s platinum “Pumped Up Kicks.” Today he’s working on Mitski’s sold-out fall tour and an upcoming Playboi Carti trek. His favorite song of all time? Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby,” which he calls “perfect.” We’re anything but.

Lexie Deeb
Director, Creative Sync, Pulse Music Group

Paul McCartney once acknowledged Deeb’s existence, while he was entering the studio for an appearance on Fallon. With the launch of PULSE Records, she’s landed Tommy Richman’s debut single, “LAST NITE,” on Fortnite and secured placements for PMG songwriters with Xbox, Walmart and Panda Express. Her team recently organized the company’s third annual Women’s History Month yoga event. Deeb was in an intern band at Nashville’s WRLT called Casual Encounters that parodied Craigslist Missed Connections. She’s also a Kentucky Colonel—whereas we’re L.A. losers.

Jus McMullen
Senior Director, Commercial Partnerships, RCA Records

Some of McMullen’s favorite campaigns have included those supporting Flo Milli’s platinum “Never Lose Me,” Bryson Tiller’s “Whatever She Wants,” Latto’s “Put It on da Floor,” Young Nudy’s “Peaches & Eggplants” and Davido’s “Unavailable.” Up next: advancing the fortunes of rising star Khamari, who just wrapped his first sold-out tour. McMullen is also working on initiatives for H.E.R., Tems, Wizkid, Lucky Daye, BabyDrill, Kenny Mason and others. This partnerships pro aspires to build community through fitness. We need our inhalers just thinking about it.

Kasey Sobey
Day to Day Manager, Three Six Zero

Sobey’s career has been a whirlwind of epic moments, from traveling the world with Childish Gambino on his 2019 This Is America Tour to producing Bleachers’ first arena show, at The Forum, and first (sold out) Red Rocks headlining show. She’s presently promoting the work of Kid Cudi, including January’s INSANO and February’s INSANO (NITRO MEGA), and gearing up for his world tour, with Pusha T, EARTHGANG and Jaden on board. Sobey dreams of opening a space that’s a cat café by day and a music hotspot by night. The cats would keep us out around the clock.

Dani Ratliff
Manager, Social Media & Audience Engagement, Disney Music Group

Ratliff has triumphed with digital marketing initiatives for the soundtracks to The Little Mermaid, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; worked with Sofia Carson and Coca Cola to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary; and is now contributing to the development of kenzie, leading digital efforts for her track “word vomit,” which has resulted in 250k+ new followers and 230k+ uses on TikTok. Ratliff built a tiki bar in her house to showcase the mugs she’s collected on her travels. We’re only welcome in pariah states.

James Hyland
Co-Owner, Global Tour Creatives

When GTC was launched nearly 14 years ago, Hyland says, “I was told by our competitors that we’d never succeed,” but the company is now the #1 tour creative agency, enjoying 80% market share. Hyland et al., who deliver 4,000+ creative assets daily, worked eight of the Top 10 global tours of 2023. This year, they’re handling road shows for the likes of Adele, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, USHER, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Bruno Mars and Diana Ross. Meanwhile, Hyland—a typically modest Irishman—swears, “I’m extremely good looking.” Alas, we can’t say the same about ourselves.

Stephanie Hagerty
National Director, Radio, Warner Music Nashville

Hagerty is over the moon about Bailey Zimmerman’s meteoric rise, marked by three Country #1 records, a sold-out headlining show in Denver and plenty more. She’s also been thrilled to collaborate with her childhood idol Kenny Chesney, celebrating record-setting tours and his first three-night stand at the Pats’ Gillette Stadium. This year, she’s seen Warren Zeiders hit #1 with his debut, “Pretty Little Poison,” and is excited about new music from Chesney, Zeiders and Tyler Braden. Hagerty’s got a knack for making balloon animals. We’re just full of (hot) air.

Jarrod Holley
Managing Partner, Make Wake Artists

Holley revels in the triumphs of his roster, which includes seeing Cooper Alan sell out 55 North American shows in 2023, Drew Parker earn his first Grammy nod and Colby Acuff premiere at the Ryman before a sold-out crowd. Today the Clevelander is busy shepherding the launch of Alan’s album bow, readying Parker and Acuff for Luke Combs’ 2024 stadium tour and masterminding Jackie Lee’s debut full-length after a four-year hiatus. Holley’s first foray into the music biz was booking clubs tours for emo and rock bands via MySpace. We were never in anyone’s Top 8.