New Industry Live Body Elects First Executive General Manager & Board

New industry body Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) has announced their first executive general manager and full board. 

Craig Spann will take on the executive general manager, bringing with him experience from roles with Virgin Australia, AMIN, QMusic, News Corp and more. 

“The live music industry has always been innovative and resilient, but 2020 has challenged our industry like never before,” said Spann of the appointment. 

“Now is the time to unite and use the collective strength of our voices to ensure the survival of our industry and be ready for a strong recovery. 

"I am both humbled and excited to work with the ALMBC and all our members to not only recover from this crisis, but build a stronger live music industry able to weather future storms.”

Stephen Wade (Select Music), Sharlene Harris (ALH), Brian Chaldil (OzTix/Media Rare), Sophie Kirov (Lost Motel/Badlands), Christina Allen (Seamlaas), Nicholas Greco (Untitled), Phaedra Watts (Nannup Music Festival), Emily York (Penny Drop), Ross Macpherson (Macro Music), Jess Mizrahi (Deloitte Access Economics) and Haydn Johnston (Architects of Entertainment) have all been selected for the ALMBC board. 

“Our recent member survey clearly showed the crisis our industry now faces as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, meaning it is now more important than ever that the live music industry speaks with a united voice,” said Wade. 

Wade has also advised that the group is currently working with First Nations organisations and community leaders to nominate a representative to the board. 

“We want to get this right and will continue to listen to First Nations people within our industry to make sure representation at a Board level, along with ALMBCs broader activities, is led by First Nations voices and meet the needs of the community,” said Wade. 

“Finalising the make up of this Board has been a detailed process to ensure it reflects the real-world experience of our industry and acknowledges the diversity of people and business across the country.”

Find out more about ALMBC and their work here.