Native Tongue NZ’s GM Jan Hellriegel departs to fill MD position at Aeroplane Music Services

Jan Hellriegel has left Australasian music publishing company Native Tongue to become MD of New Zealand-owned Aeroplane Music Services.

Hellriegel, who has run Native Tongue’s NZ operations since 2010, is leaving to concentrate full-time on growing Aeroplane – a company she co-founded recently with Native Tongue MD Chris Gough and Arch Hill’s Ben Howe.

Says Hellriegel: “I’ve had a brilliant time with Native Tongue, really enjoyed growing their NZ business and working with all the amazing, talented songwriters they represent.”

However, Hellriegel said she’s keen to move on and do her own thing.

Says Hellriegel: “Aeroplane was formed to do things traditional music labels and publishing companies can’t, to provide services to the local music industry that aren’t being provided by other major players. To fill a void we could see in the local market. Results so far show we were right, and it’s onwards and upwards for Aeroplane.”

Aeroplane currently looks after masters for Warner Music, Flying Nun and Arch Hill, as well as providing publicity, song management and distribution for up and coming New Zealand artists.

Aeroplane has also been providing music supervision services to several local film and TV production companies and agencies and Hellriegel believes this is an area with plenty of potential for growth.

Says Hellriegel: “I’m really excited by the scope for Aeroplane – it has barely got off the ground and I am looking forward to devoting 100% of my energy to it.”

As well as steering Aeroplane, Hellriegel sits on the board of IMNZ and Recorded Music NZ, the new body resulting from the recent merger of RIANZ and PPNZ. She’s also an APRA ambassador.