CMA Announces Three Hires

Pictured (L-R): Emily Arvanitis (Photo: Pamela Hothorn/CMA); Megan Sykes (Photo: Pamela Hothorn/CMA); Michelle Kirk (Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Kirk)

The Country Music Association (CMA) has announced three new hires, including two new positions within CMA’s Strategic Partnerships department. Emily Arvanitis joins CMA as Live Events Coordinator, Michelle Kirk joins as Director, Integrated Marketing, and Megan Sykes joins as Director, Sales Development & Strategy.

Arvanitis returns to CMA, having interned with the organization’s Live Events team from 2016 to 2017. While interning with CMA, she provided ticket, credential and talent support during several live events including The 50th Annual CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas, and CMA Fest. Most recently, Arvanitis held the position of Executive Assistant at Sandbox Entertainment, acting as the point of contact between the company’s leadership and internal and external clients in addition to developing and administering office systems and procedures. In her new role with CMA, Arvanitis will provide support to the department in all elements of production, logistics and administrative functions, in addition to assisting with the coordination and execution of all CMA events. Arvanitis reports to Chris Crawford, CMA Senior Director, Live Events. Reach her at earvanitis@cmaworld.com.

Kirk returns to CMA in the newly created role of Director, Integrated Marketing, previously working with CMA’s Strategic Partnerships team from 2012 to 2015. Most recently, Kirk held the position of Brand Partnerships Agent at WME, pitching clients for partnership opportunities including television commercials, branded digital content, social media promotions, public relations campaigns, licensing products and experiences, and elevating tour sponsorships. In her new role with CMA, Kirk will be responsible for developing strategies for and managing relationships with key marketing and digital partners as well as other strategic partners including the ABC Television Network relationship. Kirk will also develop and implement strategic, year-round integrated marketing campaigns with marketing and digital partners that support CMA Fest, CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas, CMA Songwriters Series, the CMA Foundation, as well as additional special events and initiatives. Kirk reports to Emily Evans, CMA Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships. Reach her at mkirk@cmaworld.com.

Sykes joins CMA in a second newly created role of Director, Sales Development & Strategy. Prior to CMA, Sykes held the position of Agent, Music Brand Partnerships at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where her duties included executing talent and brand programs for clients, with experience in managing multi-level programs involving on-site activation, exclusive content, print/radio/TV advertisements, digital media, song licensing, retail promotions, sweepstakes and award show integrations. In her new role, Sykes will generate new long-term corporate alliances and sponsorships, in addition to growing existing relationships for CMA’s flagship events (CMA Fest, CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas) as well as the CMA Foundation. She will be responsible for the creation and implementation of business development planning, including implementing advanced account management tactics to increase the scope of value of corporate partnerships for CMA and the industry at large. Sykes also reports to Evans. Reach her at msykes@cmaworld.com.