INDUSTRY CHATTER: Scratch Brad Hunt’s name from...

INDUSTRY CHATTER: Scratch Brad Hunt’s name from the list of potential presidents for Disney’s Hollywood Records. Hunt, who was hired as the label’s executive vice president and general manager in February, has exited his post. Hollywood representatives had no comment, but insiders say philosophical differences between Hunt and other key executives led to the move. . . .

Capitol Records is close to signing former Charisma Records publicity exec Audrey Strahl to fill the slot as head of publicity. The surprise is that Strahl will run the department from New York rather than Capitol’s Hollywood home base. The move apparently doesn’t represent a shift of power to the East Coast (where Charles Koppelman, head of the parent Capitol-EMI, is based), but is merely a matter of accommodating Strahl, a confirmed New Yorker. . . .

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating to determine whether WEA, CEMA, UNI and Sony distribution firms violated anti-trust provisions for refusing to underwrite ads for stores that sell used CDs, sources say. Torrance-based Wherehouse Entertainment reached an agreement with CEMA for a non-cash, out-of-court settlement that will cover the cost of lost advertising funds. There is no word on whether WEA, Sony and UNI will follow CEMA’s lead. The Independent Music Retailers Assn. is also attempting to negotiate a settlement with all four companies.