Max Hole is named COO of Universal Music Group International (UMGI), effective July 1. Hole will be based in London and report to CEO Lucian Grainge. UMGI oversees Universal Music's businesses in countries outside of North America.

Universal Motown Republic Group (UMRG) has promoted Wayne Chernin to SVP of Sales and Field Marketing. Based in New York, Chernin will oversee all of the label group’s sales activities, while spearheading extensive retail marketing efforts for both Universal Motown and Universal Republic.

NextMedia Group names media vet Hank McMonigle as VP/Market Manager for the company’s North Dallas operations. McMonigle joins NextMedia after serving as GSM for KPLX (99.5 “The WOLF)/Dallas.

AC WERZ/Portsmouth makes the switch to Hot AC and welcomes Matty In The Morning from CHR sister WSKX for mornings.

Citadel's Rhythmic Top 40 KKND (Power 102.9)/New Orleans cancels the syndicated Big Boy's Neighborhood for the local based show Big Abe & The Power Posse.

Service Broadcasting Urban KKDA (K-104)/Dallas names Suga Rae for mornings.

Triple A KPIG/Monterey, which was the first station in the country to offer online streaming of its broadcast signal, is converting its online stream to a commercial-free subscription that will cost listeners approximately 17 cents per day.

McVay Syndication agrees to purchase the short-form feature, 8-Track Playback, hosted by Donny Osmond, from Broadcast Barter Radio Networks for an undisclosed sum. The transaction puts both of Osmond’s radio programs under the umbrella of McVay Syndication, which also syndicates The Donny Osmond Show, the daily five-hour day-part programming designed for AC and Classic Hits formats, in conjunction with Citadel Media in the USA and Orbyt in Canada.

EMI Music launches the EMI Records Nashville imprint, as a sister label to Capitol Nashville. Angela Lange, most recently at Capitol Records Nashville as Director, Promotion for the Southeast region, is joining EMI Records Nashville as VP of Promotion. "Establishing EMI Records Nashville is part of our growth strategy and a way to provide artists a terrific creative home and a top notch, dedicated team to help build their careers," said Mike Dungan, President/CEO of Capitol Nashville. "We couldn’t be more pleased to have an artist as unique and groundbreaking as Troy christen the roster of EMI Records Nashville. This demonstrates our commitment to and investment in the country genre. Fasten your seatbelt, because we have a lot more in store for fans and our partners in retail and radio."

Jacobs Media launches its popular jacAPPS for the Google Android mobile platform. "Our smartphone application division continues to expand at a rapid pace," says Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs. "We've conquered the iPhone space, with 140 apps in the store and more than two million downloads. The secret behind our success is that we create customized applications that draw upon our decades of experience in radio as consultants and researchers. We don't approach apps as a templated process. With Android, we will continue to custom design radio and personality branded apps for this hot new platform."

The NAB has announced the 50 finalists for the 2010 Crystal Radio Awards competition. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their outstanding year-round commitment to community service. The list of nominated stations can be found here.

Premiere Radio Networks promotes Peter Tripi to SVP of Affiliate Relations/Talk and Morning Shows.

Brightcove Inc. announces that EMI Music will use Brightcove as its online video publishing and syndication platform in North America.

New York Festivals® Radio Programming & Promotions Awards will debut a newly designed trophy at its 2010 Radio Awards ceremony. Inspired by the classic 1920’s Art Deco microphone made popular during radio’s golden age, the trophy will be crafted in gold, silver, and bronze colors representing the competition’s winners ranking. This original design will continue the tradition started fifty-three years ago of honoring the World’s Best Work™, in radio broadcasting, with entries from radio stations, networks and independent producers from around the globe. For more information go to: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/main.taf?p=2,7. All winning entries of the 2010 New York Festivals® Radio Programming & Promotions Award Competition will be featured at: www.newyorkfestivals.com, and promoted by representatives in eighty-four countries around the world.