Industry Vet Leanne De Souza Named Executive Director Of Artist Managers Association

Respected, multi-talented industry figure Leanne De Souza has been named as the new Executive Director in a three-year appointment for the Association Of Artist Managers (AAM), the organisation has announced.

De Souza is more than qualified for the position and boasts plenty of that all-important practical experience, having spent many successful years as manager to a ream of broadly loved artists such as Thelma Plum, The Medics, Kate Miller-Heidke, Stringmansassy, george and Katie Noonan, among others.

Despite having moved on from the management world in May last year (when she took a period of leave from the industry), De Souza clearly carries a brightly burning torch for those put-upon souls who are responsible for wrangling the world's least agreeable people and turning them into something ready to present to the public.

"I truly believe managers are the unsung heroes of the business — their ability to nurture artists and traverse a complex industry makes them vital," De Souza said in a statement.

"Taking on the role of Executive Director for the AAM is a privilege, and I am excited to be working with an experienced board to represent, protect and promote the interests of Australian music managers over the next three years."

Beyond her bountiful street cred as a manager, De Souza steps into the role following an extensive career in music that has seen her take on a diversity of roles, including — most recently — that of founder and director of A Rock & Roll Writers Festival, returning for its second year in 2017, as well as being a foundation board member of venerated Qld music network QMusic. 

She has also previously worked as Executive Programmer for annual conference and showcase BIGSOUND, and even has tertiary qualifications to boot, having worked as a lecturer of music business at Griffith University, TAFE and JMC Academy.

De Souza's appointment isn't the only movement and/or shaking at AAM this week, however; the organisation has also announced the successful applicants for its 2016 Mentor Program, conducted in partnership with APRA AMCOS and Face The Music.

The six mentees include Darwin-based manager Amy Hetherington (Leah Flanagan, At The Dakota), Melbourne-based managers Adrian McGruther (Gordi), Louise Cuming (Lanks) and Tim Shiel (Braille Face), and Sydney-based managers Mark Smithers (Patrick James) and Eva Trifonas (Kučka).

The group will each reach receive one-on-one mentoring with a senior Australian manager over a period of six to 12 months, and be flown to Melbourne (uh, except for the locals, probably?) for this month's Face The Music Conference and to participate in a day-long exclusive management roundtable with their mentors.

Those veterans lending their time in service of the up-and-comers are Rick Chazan of Ground Control (Emma Louise, The Church, Morning Harvey, Robbie Miller), Jess Beston of Tiny Monster (Holy Holy), Jesse Flavell of Sum Management (Katie Noonan, KLP, Woodes, Just A Gent, Sophie Lowe), Monique Rothstein of Positive Feedback (Little May), Stu McCullough of Amplifire (The Jungle Giants, Last Dinosaurs, Mid Ayr, Confidence Man, Orphans Orphans) and Greg Carey of Umbrella (The Rubens, Urthboy, Saskwatch, Bec Sandridge).

The 2016 Face The Music conference takes place on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November. See the event's website for more information.

For further details about the Association of Artist Managers, see the organisation's website.