Aled Haydn Jones announced as new Head of Radio 1 01 Jun 2020
Radio 1 announced today that Aled Haydn Jones is the new Head of the station.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the role, Haydn Jones has previously been a presenter on the network, producer on live music events, as well as a producer on the Chris Moyles Breakfast Show, an Editor, and most recently, Head of Programmes.
Haydn Jones was behind the recent success of Radio 1’s Big Weekend UK 2020 which saw over 50 brand new live sets recorded by artists from their own homes, as well as bringing back around 50 of the most memorable performances from previous Big Weekends.
Haydn Jones has an impressive record of supporting innovation, and developing new young presenters for the BBC.
Radio 1 currently has a radio audience of around 10 million listeners, and Haydn Jones has worked to supplement those numbers with 14 million weekly viewers on its YouTube and iPlayer channels, and 10.5 million social followers.
Last Christmas, Haydn Jones launched a new presenter search which resulted in 35 new DJs taking to the air over the festive period, including Radio 1’s first non-binary DJ and Radio 1’s first blind presenter.
Haydn Jones oversaw the launch of the hugely successful Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James which has focused on the audience as the star of the show, as well as supporting new music through Radio 1’s Live Lounge, Big Weekend, and Teen Awards.
Aled Haydn Jones (Head of BBC Radio 1) said: “I’m so proud to be taking the helm of the best youth music station anywhere in the world. Radio 1 is all about the best new music, the most amazing DJs, and entertaining our young audience, and we have dedicated teams working hard to deliver exactly that.
“We know Radio 1 will never stand still, and we’re going to listen to our audience and give them what they want, how they want it.”
Lorna Clarke (BBC Controller Popular Music) said: “Aled has some exciting and ambitious new directions for Radio 1, and we are looking forward to a fresh approach for the station. As the number one network for young audiences across the country, we want to take some risks and really push ourselves to do more across all platforms.”
One of the most sought after positions in British pop culture, the role attracted applicants from radio, television, technology, music and digital backgrounds.
Haydn Jones will head up a team with Chris Price (Head of Music, Radio 1 & 1Xtra) & Rachel McHalroy (Commissioning Executive, Radio 1 & 1Xtra) reporting into him, along with their teams.
This position is one of five new Head of Station roles responsible for the BBC’s pop music networks, Following the appointment of Helen Thomas (Head of Radio 2), the recruitment for the three other Head of Station roles (Radio 1Xtra, 6 Music and BBC Asian Network) is ongoing.
NEWS & PRESS
Lil Durk partners with AWAL for OTF label venture
Renowned Chicago rapper Lil Durk is partnering with AWAL to re-launch his label venture, OTF. The new partnership allows OTF to lean into AWAL’s unique global infrastructure, artist development expertise, and creative prowess to identify and support exceptional talent. With Durk...more
MVT Announce Three New Appointments
Sophie Brownlee, Kimberley Goddard & Sophie Asquith Join in Key Roles Music Venue Trust, the charity created to protect, secure and improve Grassroots Music Venues across the UK, has announced two key appointments to its executive team, with Sophie Brownlee joining...more
Mogul Surpasses $100 Million in Tracked Royalties
Mogul, the music industry's newest top layer for tracking your royalties across all rights types, has surpassed $100 million in tracked royalties across all the artists signed up for the service. This remarkable milestone is a testament to Mogul's commitment...more
Concord Bidco statement
CONCORD CHORUS LIMITED (“CONCORD BIDCO”) STATEMENT REGARDING FINAL OFFER FOR HIPGNOSIS SONGS FUND LIMITED (“HIPGNOSIS”) Further to the announcements made by Concord Bidco on 18 April 2024 and 24 April 2024 (the “Announcements”) setting out the terms of its all cash offer for...more
Universal Music Group’s Digital Innovation Team Launch UMusicLift
A new online destination, dedicated to supporting the next generation of diverse, music-related startups and entrepreneurs Today, Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Digital Innovation team, as part of the world-leading music and entertainment company’s Global Digital Strategy division has announced the launch...more
The Killers’ Mr Brightside overtakes Wonderwall to become the UK’s official biggest single of all time yet to reach Number 1
On its 20th anniversary, Brandon Flowers presented with new Top 10 Award from Official Charts crowning the ultimate Top 10 hit New numbers behind The Official Chart’s most enduring single revealed Official Charts: “Twenty years on, it is now the Top 10 hit that...more
Leading European Music Collaboration Brings Fresh Talent to Summer Festivals
Today on Europe Day we proudly celebrate European artists and festivals. This summer, you simply can’t miss all the upcoming artists who will be performing on the stages of the best summer festivals across Europe. With 100 acts securing over...more
Casio Music launches the second edition of its popular singer-songwriter competition - Casio Sessions
Applications to Casio Sessions 2024 now open to UK-based, piano-playing singer-songwriters Entrants have the chance to win a PX-S7000HM digital piano, one of Casio’s premium models worth £2,249, plus an exclusive studio mastering session and their winning song pressed to vinyl...more
SESAC Presents: 2024 Annual Songwriting Workshop in association with Fairwood Music Publishing
SESAC hosted its annual songwriting workshop on April 24 -26, in association with Fairwood Music Publishing. The camp took place at Tileyard Studios in London, the World’s largest community of independent artists and businesses, and hosted an array of established...more
Rough Trade Announces Parternship with Cambridge Audio
Independent music retailer has announced its partnership with British music and audio pioneer, Cambridge Audio. The sound systems at Rough Trade’s East and West London and Bristol locations have been updated with Cambridge Audio components from their Edge, Evo, CX, AX,...more
Vamos a Brighton! The final Spain lead country line-up at The Great Escape 2024 is announced
¡Vamos a Brighton! The final Spain lead country line-up at The Great Escape 2024 is announced, including Spanish Wave showcases, Mad Cool parties and conference panels. With the new addition of Divorce From New York, nine young, upcoming artists representing...more
BSI Merch launches H.O.M.E
A MUSIC INDUSTRY CO-WORKING HUB IN LONDON Andy Allen, the founder of international music merchandising and tech company BSI Merch (formerly Backstreet International Merchandise), has announced the launch of a ground-breaking new venture to provide affordable co-working hubs for independent music...more
Amy Winehouse's parents receive BRIT Billion Award, on behalf of their daughter, in celebration of Amy's music reaching one Billion UK streams
Mitch and Janis presented with the Award as new feature film BACK TO BLACK hits cinemas Amy Winehouse has posthumously received a BRIT Billion Award celebrating one Billion streams in the UK by the BPI, the representative voice for the UK’s...more
KOR Protocol Launches, Unleashes Digital Culture's Next Boom in Interactive, Fan-Driven Creativity
KOR Protocol enables creators to combine blockchain and AI to transform their IP into diverse interactive media formats, including music, video, and games Since media went digital, fans and creators have wanted to play with it, transforming favourite images, videos, sounds,...more
South By Southwest is heading to London in June 2025
sxswlondon.com WORLD'S LEADING FESTIVAL CELEBRATING CREATIVITY AND TECHNOLOGY EXPANDS WITH EUROPEAN EDITION South by Southwest® (SXSW®), the world's leading festival celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture and technology, is launching in London in June 2025. Through its multidisciplinary conferences and cultural festivals, SXSW has become...more
Impala welcomes first Ukrainian member, independent record label Pomitni
Ahead of Europe Day, held every year on the 9th of May to celebrate peace and unity across the region, IMPALA welcomes its first member from Ukraine Pomitni. The label was created in 2007 in Kyiv, Ukraine by Iryna Gorova, who is the founder and CEO. The journey of...more
Logic Pro takes music-making to the next level with new AI features
Session Players, Stem Splitter, and ChromaGlow make Logic Pro for iPad and Mac smarter than ever Apple today unveiled the all-new Logic Pro for iPad 2 and Logic Pro for Mac 11, delivering breakthrough professional experiences for songwriting, beat-making, producing, and...more
Frontiers Label Group names Head of A&R of North America
TOM LIPSKY TAKES THE CREATIVE HELM IN THE PRIORITY MARKET FOR THE CUTTING-EDGE ITALIAN ROCK AND METAL LABEL Frontiers Label Group announced Tom Lipsky has been named Head of A&R of North America for the Italian rock and metal label, home to such artists as Journey, YES, Def...more
BMG names Kristal McKanders Dube to lead global corporate communications
BMG has appointed Kristal McKanders Dube to lead its Global Corporate Communications. An accomplished communications executive and media strategist with close to 20 years' experience, McKanders Dube joins BMG after nearly six years at Warner Music Group (WMG). There, she...more
Pulse Music Group promotes Annie Aberle to SVP/Head of Creative for Publishing Division
Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, co-CEOs of PULSE Music Group and Ashley Calhoun, President, PULSE Music Group today announced the promotion of Annie Aberle to Senior Vice President/Head of Creative, PULSE Music Group. Aberle was previously Vice President, A&R, PULSE Music Group. Aberle's responsibilities will...more
Equals Money to power innovative new financial management platform, Chorus TM
The new platform will offer entertainment managers fast and secure UK and international payments, real time spend reporting, streamlined reconciliation processes and FX management strategies. Equals Money has today announced its collaboration with music-focused financial management platform, Chorus TM. The...more
Gabb Launches Gabb Music+, a Premium Safe Music Streaming Service for Kids
To lead this expansion, the company has recruited an all-star team in Nashville with experience from Disney, Sony, iHeartMedia, CBS and others. Gabb®, the leading kid-safe technology company, announced today the launch of Gabb Music+, a premium version of the safe music...more
PRS for Music partners with The BRIT School to support craft of songwriting and talent pipeline
The BRIT School is thrilled that PRS for Music, a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe, is partnering with The School’s renowned music department to...more
Rebel With A Cause - The forthcoming book from the legendary music-industry executive Darcus Beese
Published 15 August by Nine Eight Books in hardback, eBook and audiobook ‘Rebel With A Cause’ is the remarkable story of Darcus Beese: legendary music-industry executive, OBE and a man Music Week described as “one of the great A&R people of his or...more
Bereaved mum begins 200 mile walk from Manchester Arena to Downing Street urging PM to keep his promise to make country safer
The bereaved mother of Martyn Hett, one of 22 innocent people killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack, will set off today for a nearly 200 mile walk from the Manchester Arena to 10 Downing Street. Figen Murray OBE will be...more
BMG appoints Sarah Mitchell to head UK and European Rights & Royalties
BMG has appointed operations and customer service leader Sarah Mitchell to be responsible for its Rights and Royalties operations across both music publishing and recordings in Europe and the UK. She will report to Chief Operating Officer Sebastian Hentzschel and will...more
Chart-topping Pianist Alexis Ffrench joins music charity Restore The Music as Ambassador
Alexis led masterclasses this week with 100 schoolchildren at Steinway as part of unique learning opportunities for RTM grantee schools in London Restore The Music has announced today that world-class, chart-topping pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench will join forces with the...more
Stormzy and Adidas announce #Merkyfc HQ: a new multi-purpose centre providing opportunities for Londoners across football, music & gaming
#MerkyFC HQ, which is located in Stormzy’s home borough of Croydon, will be a centre of opportunity for young people in the local community and beyond – providing facilities for them to explore their interests in football, music, and esports,...more
Steve Redmond to step down as BMG Global Head of Communications
BMG EVP Global Corporate Communications Steve Redmond is to step down from the company after 12 years. The highly-regarded communications leader and media advisor has shaped the company's image and helped define its positioning over a period during which its revenues have more...more
It’s official! Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is vinyl’s Greatest Hit
The Official Chart Company chart puts the legendary band at Number 1 in a countdown of this century’s best-selling vinyl from the 1970s, 80s and 90s In a brand-new Top 40 from the Official Charts Company, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours takes the top spot in...more
THE HEADLINES
Apple’s soul-crushing iPad Pro advert: Who thought this was a good idea? (see Bigger Picture)
Steve Albini was a button-pushing musician of uncompromising brilliance (see Features)
AI songwriting has gotten shockingly good — with big implications for the music world (see Comment)
Goldman Sachs publishes its influential Music In The Air report (see Analysis)
Music fandom’s future (and its existential crisis) (see Comment)
Can anyone learn to be a top songwriter? (see Features)
We must ensure AI is the music industry's servant, not its master (see Comment)
New law should ban AI deepfakes of music stars, MPs say (see News)
When does our taste in music stagnate? (see Analysis)
Billboard’s 2024 International Power Players revealed (see News)
Hipgnosis board recommends new $1.6bn bid from Blackstone (see Business)