Tõnn Kuuli to take over as Music Estonia chief

Music Estonia will appoint Tõnn Kuuli as its chief executive and board member on November 2, ERR reports. He will take over the organisation’s leadership from current chief executive Ave Sophia Demelemester.

Kuuli has extensive experience in management, media, production and entertainment, with music, events and television playing a significant role in his career. He has worked in social media and content marketing at Telia Estonia and later served as a senior producer in television and multimedia.

In recent years, Kuuli has worked as a producer, overseeing television broadcasts, series and the production of various internal and external communications events. His work has included broadcasts of the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, NOËP’s station concert and Tallinn Music Week.

Kuuli has also been involved in major music events and productions, including the Juu Jääb and Beach Grind festivals. Earlier, through the company Teine Noorus, he helped launch and manage Studio, a concert venue and club. He has also worked for years as a freelance event marketer.

“When selecting Music Estonia’s new chief executive, we considered it important to find someone capable of identifying new opportunities for the organisation’s development and bringing together and engaging very different parties,” said Aivar Sirelpuu, chairman of the Music Estonia council.

Sirelpuu said Kuuli’s management experience, practical and solution-oriented approach, and ability to connect with different people had convinced the council. He added that Kuuli’s background in media, production and business gave him both a practical connection and a broad perspective on the music sector.

Kuuli described the new role as an exciting challenge.

“My focus will definitely be on people, cooperation within the sector and finding new opportunities across sectors. Ave and her entire team have done excellent work, so I will do my best to maintain this high standard,” he said.

Demelemester will continue as Music Estonia’s chief executive until the end of October.

“I am very pleased to hand over the organisation’s leadership to Tõnn Kuuli, and I believe that his diverse experience in people-centred management and cooperation in the sector will bring new perspectives to Music Estonia’s next stage of development,” Demelemester said. “I wish Tõnn and the entire team much strength and will certainly continue to follow Music Estonia’s work.”