Channel Manager

Universal Music Group appoints Òscar Celma as Senior Vice President, Applied AI and Machine Learning. Sep 28, 2026, 10:06 ET Former Spotify, Pandora/SiriusXM and Condé Nast executive brings more than two decades of expertise in AI, music discovery and personalization SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the appointment of Òscar Celma as Senior Vice President, Applied AI and Machine Learning, effective immediately. A recognized expert in AI, machine learning and music recommendation, Celma has helped shape how people discover and experience music. At Spotify, he helped lead the development of AI-powered personalized listening experiences including AI DJ, Jam and Daylist, as well as personalization and discovery products used by hundreds of millions of listeners worldwide. Celma will help lead the development and application of AI and machine learning across UMG's global operations, supporting UMG's labels, divisions and businesses. He will report to Hannah Poferl, UMG's Chief Data Officer. Hannah Poferl, UMG's Chief Data Officer, said, "Òscar brings a unique blend of quantitative and product experience, deep expertise in AI, and a love of music. He's built teams that have delivered and knows how to turn data at scale into useful insights. With the breadth and depth of UMG's data, there's enormous potential for him to help our teams do more for our artists." Celma said, "I've spent much of my career exploring how technology can serve artists, songwriters and music fans. It's an exciting time to join Universal Music Group, given its industry leadership in using AI to expand what's creatively and commercially possible. I look forward to working with Hannah and leaders across UMG to advance our AI and machine learning capabilities to support human artistry. Most recently, Celma led Machine Learning and Product Analytics at Condé Nast. Previously, as Director of Engineering at Spotify, he led engineering teams responsible for new listening experiences. He also spent seven years at Pandora/SiriusXM in senior data science leadership roles, focused on machine learning, music discovery, and recommendation. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Research Scientist at Gracenote and co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Barcelona-based BMAT Music Innovators. Celma holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Digital Communication from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and is a widely published researcher in music information retrieval and recommendation systems. He is the author of the Springer-published book Music Recommendation and Discovery. About Universal Music Group At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com. SOURCE Universal Music Group

BMAC Gala celebrates Black music with Patti LaBelle and more. Daniel David September 25, 2026 2 minutes read Top Row (L-R): Lee Daniels, Patti LaBelle, Michelle Ballantyne, and Willie "Prophet" Stiggers; Dr. Mahlia Hines and Common. Bottom Row (L-R): Flavor Flav and Chuck D; Willie "Prophet" Stiggers and BMAC Board Members. Photos (Credit: Bryceden Jones for BMAC) The Black Music Action Coalition held its sixth annual gala Sept. 24 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, bringing together major names from music, entertainment and social justice. The 2026 BMAC Gala honored Nicole Wyskoarko, Common, Patti LaBelle, Public Enemy, Tina Davis and members of The Team. Universal Music Group's Global Impact Team also received the BMAC 365 Award. BMAC honors major music figures. Nicole Wyskoarko received the Sylvia Rhone Visionary Award. Common received the Harry Belafonte Change Agent Award. Patti LaBelle received the Icon Award. Public Enemy earned the Social Impact Award, while Tina Davis received the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award. Kevin Shivers, Lee Anderson, Mallory Smith and Marty Diamond of The Team received the Founders Award. The gala also recognized Arielle Vavasseur, Dylan Siegler, Kristin Jones, Markie Ruzzo, Sharlotte Ritchie and Susan Mazo of UMG's Global Impact Team with the BMAC 365 Award. Several surprise presenters joined the ceremony. Dr. Mahlia Hines presented Common's award, while Lee Daniels presented LaBelle's honor. Big Daddy Kane presented Public Enemy, and Sylvia Rhone presented Wyskoarko. Montell Jordan presented Davis, while Jamea Kollie presented The Team. Music and community take center stage. The evening also featured performances and tributes. Chanté Moore and Le'Andria Johnson paid tribute to LaBelle with songs from her catalog. MAJOR performed Why I Love You to mark its 10th anniversary. Big Daddy Kane performed Smooth Operator and Warm It Up. Public Enemy members Flavor Flav and Chuck D also received a standing ovation before leading the crowd in chants tied to Fight the Power. LaBelle received a commemorative plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America and BMAC. The honor recognized her long career and impact on music. The gala also highlighted BMAC programs that support artists, young people and communities. Those efforts include Music Maker Grants, Music Accelerator programs, BMAC Live and the BMAC Live R&B Tour Edition. Families from Altadena affected by the Eaton Fires attended the event as well. BMAC's Restore & Rebuild LA Program provides those families with monthly financial support and stability assistance. The gala raised funds for several BMAC initiatives. These include the Guaranteed Income Program, the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program, Music Maker Grants, BMAC Live, BMAC Live R&B Tour Edition and Restore & Rebuild LA.

Key appointments: Waldorf Astoria Sydney, Holiday Inn, Pier One Sydney, Naumi Hotels. Waldorf Astoria Sydney has tapped a leading marketer as it readies for launch, plus much more in this week's round-up. Patricia Higgins joins Waldorf Astoria Sydney. Patricia Higgins has been appointed Director of Marketing and Communications joining the opening team of Waldorf Astoria Sydney. A French-born marketing leader who has called Sydney home for a decade, she brings more than 15 years of experience across luxury hospitality, major events and destination marketing. Before joining Hilton, Higgins led the marketing and communications strategy for Sofitel Sydney Wentworth through its $77 million transformation and relaunch. At Tennis Australia, she helped launch the ATP Cup, the World Cup of Tennis in Sydney. Her earlier career includes senior public sector roles in destination strategy, as well as leading national marketing and product strategy for Société Générale's partnership with Universal Music in France. Higgins said she is passionate about bringing brands and places to life through culture, partnerships and experiences that stay with people. New GM at Holiday Inn Warwick Farm. David Janz has been appointed General Manager of Holiday Inn Warwick Farm. Janz has relocated from Holiday Inn Frankfurt - Alte Oper, where he had been General Manager for the past two years. Prior to this, Janz held leadership roles at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, including Executive Assistant Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing. New culinary direction at Pier One Sydney. Pier One Sydney Harbour has appointed Adrian Widders as Chef de Cuisine of Pier Bar and Dining. With years of industry experience at both an international and local level, Widders joins the team to lead the culinary vision across Pier Bar and Dining as the venues embrace a fresh take on approachable, Mediterranean-inspired dining. Widders began his culinary journey at Kingsleys Steakhouse in Woolloomooloo, where he completed his apprenticeship. He went on to spend six years at Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant in Gladesville, rising from second-year apprentice to Junior Sous Chef. He later moved to London, where he gained valuable international experience working across acclaimed wine bars, luxury restaurant groups, and exclusive private members' clubs. Returning to Sydney in 2020, Adrian continued to deepen his expertise in luxury hotel dining, holding the role of Sous Chef at The Langham Sydney and contributing to the opening team at Capella Sydney. "My style is all about honest food - getting exceptional produce, cooking it well, and serving it fresh without overhandling it," Widders said. Naumi adds two. Naumi Hotels has appointed a new Area General Manager for New Zealand as well as a new General Manager for Naumi Hotel Singapore. The group announced Akash Sood as Area General Manager - New Zealand, expanding his responsibilities across the group's portfolio in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. Sood joined Naumi Hotels earlier this year as General Manager of Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport and will now oversee the group's five New Zealand properties across three destinations. His portfolio spans Naumi Airport Auckland Hotel, Naumi Hotel Wellington, Naumi Studio Wellington, as well as The Central Hotel Queenstown, A Naumi Chapter, and The Dairy Hotel Queenstown, A Naumi Chapter. In his new role, Sood will oversee the operations and performance of the New Zealand portfolio, working with teams across each property to support guest experience, operational standards and the continued development of the hotels. Sood brings close to three decades of hospitality experience, with a career spanning hotel operations, rooms division and general management. "I'm pleased to take on this broader role with Naumi and to work with our teams across Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown," said Sood. "Akash's appointment reflects the continued development of our New Zealand portfolio," said Paul Stocker, Group COO, Naumi Hotels. "His experience in the New Zealand market will be valuable as we continue to expand and strengthen the Naumi brand across the country." Meanwhile, the group also announced the appointment of Shue Sng as General Manager of Naumi Hotel Singapore, the group's flagship property, bringing close to 20 years of hospitality experience across Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region. In her new role, Sng will oversee the operations and performance of Naumi Hotel Singapore, with a focus on guest experience, team development and continued hotel performance. Sng brings broad experience across sales, commercial leadership and hotel operations, with a hands-on, people-focused approach to developing teams, driving performance and delivering memorable guest experiences. "I'm delighted to join Naumi Hotel Singapore and to be part of a brand that places such a strong emphasis on individuality, design and personalised experiences," Sng said. "Sng's appointment reflects the continued development of our Singapore portfolio," said Paul Stocker, Group COO, Naumi Hotels.