Annabelle Herd appointed as ARIA CEO to drive Australian music scene recovery after COVID-19

Former Network Ten executive Annabelle Herd has been named as the Australian Record Industry Association’s new CEO.

Television executive and copyright guru Annabelle Herd will be the first woman to head up the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in its four-decade history.

Herd has been appointed the CEO of the record label lobby group which also holds the annual ARIA Awards celebration of homegrown music.

She will also lead the broadcast licensing body PPCA which distributes royalties to labels and artists from businesses who play their music.

Herd, who left her role as chief operating officer of Network Ten last year, takes over from new Warner Music Australia boss Dan Rosen, who ran ARIA for a decade.

Prior to her 16-year tenure at Ten, Herd worked as a senior adviser on copyright issues in the Howard government.

Ex Ten executive Annabelle Herd will now run the Australian record label body ARIA. Picture: Supplied.

Herd takes on the ARIA position as the Australian music industry continues to face financial instability because of the ongoing pandemic restrictions affecting live events.

“I am delighted to be taking on this role serving and supporting our amazing Australian music industry at a time when the inspiration, connection and joy that our artists and musicians give us is more important than ever,” Herd said.

“The last year has been challenging for our artists and members, so I look forward to representing and advancing the interests of those who make our industry so special given the pivotal time that we are in.”

The label body also announced the promotion of much-loved longtime staffer Lynne Small to ARIA and PPCA chief operating officer.

The appointments comes as the Australian music industry has been heavily criticised from within over gender inequality in leadership roles.

There have also been myriad social media posts about sexual harassment of female workers in the industry, with victims posting anonymously, fearful of being sidelined for speaking out or being sued for defamation.

Warner Music Group fired former Lorde manager Scott Maclachlan from his talent scout role this week after an investigation by New Zealand website Stuff documented allegations of sexual harassment and the music executive apologised for “years of harmful behaviour”.