Sony Music Australia has confirmed a cluster of senior exits, with several long-standing staff finishing up at the label late last week.
The Music Network understands that Director of Marketing Clay Doughty, senior publicist Bronwyn Tasker, and Publicity and Radio Co-ordinator Kate Hunter all wrapped up their roles on Friday, marking a notable shake-up across Sony Music Australia’s marketing and publicity teams.
The departures come amid ongoing recalibration across major labels, as local operations continue to adjust structures and priorities in a market being reshaped by streaming economics, catalogue strategy, and a tighter promotional cycle.
Doughty first joined SMA in 1994 as Product Manager of Epic Records. Following a stint at Sony’s UK office from 1999 to 2000, Doughty left the company to take on roles at EMI Music Australia and Gibson Brands, before returning to SMA in 2018 as Commercial Music Group Director. He took on the Director of Marketing position in 2019.
Meanwhile, Tasker leaves SMA after 22 years. She first joined in 2005 as Senior Manager of National Publicity, a role she held for nearly 15 years before being promoted in 2019.
“I have truly valued our relationship over the years with each & every one of you and will be forever grateful for every artist you listened to me talk about, featured on your show, or supported through your coverage,” Tasker wrote in an email seen by The Music Network.
“I leave with my head held high knowing the joy I have brought to so many people’s lives, and that none of it would have been possible without you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
In a LinkedIn post, Hunter thanked SMA for her three-year tenure.
’ll never forget all I’ve learnt, the new music I’ve discovered, the incredible people I’ve met and had the privilege of working with, the hundreds of gigs/award shows/listening parties/backstage M&G’s/album launches, and of course my team — who are some of the best ever to do it, whom I will miss more than anything,” Hunter wrote.
The news comes only a week after SMA’s Senior Director of Publicity and Promotions, Kate Bonanno, also left the company after a decade to become the “day-to-day manager” for ARIA Award-winning duo, Angus & Julia Stone.
Bonanno first joined Sony Music Australia in 2016, working as its Senior Manager, National Television Promotions. She took on the Senior Director of Publicity role in 2019, before being elevated to the expanded position in November 2024.
Sony Music Australia has been reached for comment.