Executive Turntable
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Troy âTrackerâ Johnson will launch TRACK mgmt in January following nearly 10 years with Big Loud Management.
The new full-service Nashville-based management company, a partnership with Live Nation, will launch with clients HARDY, Dallas Smith, Jake Worthington and McCoy Moore, who follow him from Big Loud Management, as do artist managers Emily Smith and Drew Magid. HARDY, Dallas Smith and Worthington remain on Big Loud Records. Moore is unsigned.
 âItâs been a long time coming for TRACK mgmt and now seems like the perfect time to make it a reality,â Johnson said in a statement. âIâm beyond grateful for the Big Loud partners â Seth England, Joey Moi and Craig Wiseman â for not only having a hand in my journey but also providing me with so much support. Iâm excited to have Emily Smith and Drew Magid on the TRACK mgmt team. Itâs going to be a great start to 2025.â
The move comes as Big Loud Management prepares to wind down by the end of next year. Â âWorking with Tracker for over a decade, from the very beginning of Big Loud Mgmt, has been an incredible journey,â said Big Loud partners England, Moi and Wiseman in a statement. âAs Big Loud concludes its artist management venture at the end of 2025, we couldnât be prouder to see Tracker embark on his own entrepreneurial path. He and his team are more than ready for this moment, and we look forward to supporting TRACK mgmt in the years to come.â
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TRACK mgmt
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England says Big Loudâs focus will remain on its label and publishing divisions. âPrioritizing a greater work-life balance is something top of mind now that I am a father of two and need greater bandwidth,â he tells Billboard. âI will continue to lead our records and publishing divisions as their growth requires greater focus. This shift is a return to my first love. Continuing to foster close relationships with all management clients, itâs my privilege to help guide those not working with Trackerâs team to their next destination.â
Big Loudâs management roster still includes, among others, Ernest, Jagwar Twin, Ashley Cooke, Lauren Watkins and Mackenzie Porter. Morgan Wallen departed Big Loud Management earlier this year, though he remains on the label.
Prior to joining Big Loud Management when it started in 2015, Johnson worked in the music business in his native Texas beginning in the early 2000s and earned his nickname from being a tour manager who excelled at keeping track of things. Additional artists he has worked with include Wallen, Florida Georgia Line and Chris Young. Â
Sony Music UK has appointed Azi Eftekhari as its chief operating officer, effective immediately. Reporting directly to Jason Iley, chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, sheâll oversee key operational areas, including the labelâs Commercial Group, and play a pivotal role in shaping the companyâs overall growth strategy.
Eftekhari brings two decades of experience in the music and entertainment industries to her new position, having most recently served as co-president of Universal Music Recordings, managing global artists such as The Beatles, Elton John, Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones and The Spice Girls at the labelâs catalogue division.
Prior to UMG, Azi held a significant role at YouTube as head of label relations, where she spearheaded the launch of YouTube Music across Europe and secured a landmark partnership with The BRIT Awards, further cementing her reputation as an innovator in the intersection of music and technology. Additionally, she co-led Remedy Inc., a creative agency delivering projects across music, theatre and branding.
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Eftekhariâs career began at Mercury Records, where she collaborated with Iley as director of digital and publicity, contributing to campaigns for artists like U2, Justin Bieber and Rihanna. Her leadership extended beyond individual companies, as she also served on the boards of the Official Charts Company and the Entertainment Retailers Association, showcasing her influence within the broader music industry.
Iley expressed confidence in Eftekhariâs âdepth of experience straddling the world of music, tech and culture combined with commercial acumen,â while Azi voiced her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Illey. âHeâs built an exceptional, future-facing company and I look forward to playing a part in continuing to champion the incredible roster of artists,â she said. âIn this rapidly changing marketplace, there are many exciting opportunities to harness, and I canât wait to help drive the business into the next chapter.â
Brady Bedard has been appointed as the executive vice president of promotion for Atlantic Music Group, transitioning from a 26-year career at Sony Music and Columbia Records, where he most recently served as senior vp of pop promotion. In his new role, Bedard will take the lead on promotion strategies for the Atlantic, 300 and 10K Projects labels.
Bedardâs career has been marked by significant contributions to the success of high-profile artists such as Adele, BeyoncĂŠ, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, BTS, and many more. A native of the Twin Cities, he began his career as a college rep for Sony Music in 1998. Over the years, he progressed through roles in marketing and radio promotion, eventually landing his most recent position in 2018. His expertise spans multiple genres and a deep understanding of the evolving radio and music landscape.
AMG CEO Elliot Grainge praised Bedardâs extensive experience and strong industry connections, emphasizing his ability to navigate the complexities of promotion.
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âHeâs expertly navigated the ever-shifting radio landscape for more than a quarter century, with a passionate devotion to the music and deep relationships across the industry,â said Grainge.
Bedardâs appointment is part of a broader leadership restructuring under Grainge, who recently also named Alana Dolgin as the labelâs first president of digital marketing, underscoring AMGâs focus on digital innovation.
This leadership evolution aligns with broader strategic initiatives at Warner Music. In last weekâs earnings call, Warner CEO Robert Kyncl commended Atlantic and Warner Records for driving growth through innovative talent discovery and promotion. He highlighted the success of 10K Projects, a joint venture between Warner and AMG, attributing its rapid growth to Graingeâs digitally driven strategies. Kyncl also lauded Graingeâs intensity â âI love that about him,â he said â and decisive leadership, which he believes attracts top talent.
Bedard expressed enthusiasm for his new role, citing Atlanticâs legacy of artist development and its strong reputation in radio promotion.
âHaving spent my entire career so far at one company, the only other place I could ever imagine working is one with such a rich history of artist development and genre-spanning roster as WMG,â said Bedard. âAtlantic is a legend in the radio promotion business, and to join the company at this transformational moment is tremendously exciting. I want to thank Elliot for this amazing opportunity.â
Artist manager and investor Nicholas Parasram and Twitch co-founder Justin Kan have announced a new venture that will offer artist and producer management along with publishing and distribution services, as well as an âincubation labâ â the latter âto help its clients bridge the gap with emergent technologies and develop new IP and businesses,â according to a press release.
Announced Monday (Nov. 22), the venture, called Thin Ice Entertainment, launches with several clients: electronic producer Stryv (âMove,â recently remixed by Camila Cabello); longtime David Guetta and Sia collaborator Marcus van Wattum, who has also produced for Britney Spears, G-Eazy and TWICE; Nigerian producer Zone, whose productions have been featured on tracks by Jason Derulo, Sexxy Red and more; and producer RE/MIND, who worked with Zone and Derulo on the Derulo track âLimbo.â
âAt our core, Thin Ice is focused on helping talent create businesses around their IP and ensuring their brands scale in their own unique way,â said Parasram in a statement. âJustin and I started Thin Ice because we want to create a platform for creatives to truly express themselves through their art and help them build a sustainable living from it. Leveraging our combined experience in the startup ecosystem, Thin Ice is also incubating in-house technology products to help talent better monetize, distribute, and create IP. Weâve applied the same principles weâve used in the startup ecosystem âinvesting at the earliest stage and focusing on supercharging growth â to the entertainment industry, empowering creatives to take their businesses to new heights.â
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Parasram and Kan originally connected while working together at Kanâs venture fund Goat Capital, which incubated and invested in early-stage tech companies including Stash and Rye. Prior to Goat Capital, Parasram founded Sonar Projects, through which he managed creators, worked on brand marketing campaigns and secured content deals for venture-backed startups. In 2015, he partnered with Stryv to help launch the producerâs career, eventually getting him signed to Artist Partner Group (APG) in 2020.
Kan is best known as the co-founder of Twitch, which was acquired by Amazon in 2014 for $970 million. He serves as a general partner at Goat Capital and was previously a partner at incubator Y Combinator. Over his career, he has invested in more than 100 startups, including Mercury, Ramp, Cruise, Alto Pharmacy, Xendit, Scale, Reddit and Rippling.
Itâs time to drop the needle on Executive Turntable, Billboardâs comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings â and all things in between â across music.
Read on for good news and donât forget to cast your vote for the Power 100 Playersâ Choice Award, plus peruse our annual list of the industryâs savviest financial advisers, our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter and our calendar of notable industry events.
Gee Davy was officially named chief executive of the Association of Independent Music (AIM), following her interim leadership since the April departure of Silvia Montello. Joining AIM in 2017 as head of legal and business affairs and becoming chief operating officer in 2020, Gee has played a pivotal role in championing the UKâs independent music sector. As CEO, sheâll continue to advocate for the music community, focusing on issues like funding, streaming reform, and the ethical use of AI. AIM chair Ruth Barlow commended Geeâs leadership over the past eight months and underscored the importance of protecting the independence of the industry amidst creeping corporate consolidation. âTrue independence remains a vital counterbalance to the consolidation of power that major corporations wield,â she said. âItâs never been more important for the independent community to stand together for integrity and values that genuinely support and respect artists and rightsholders.â At AIMâs annual general meeting this week, four new board members were also elected: Junior Foster, Leah Ellis, Matt Bristow and Rachel Buswell. They replace outgoing members Alice Whittington, Clare McKinney, Jason Rackham and Sarah Cole.
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CTS Eventim named Karel DĂśrner as chief technology officer of the German concert promoter and ticketing company, effective New Yearâs Day. A seasoned expert in digital transformation among Europesâs business community, DĂśrner brings experience from leading McKinsey Digital Labs in Western Europe and co-founding eBay Europe. In this newly created role, he will oversee the IT, product and information science divisions, driving digitalization, data-centered business models and the integration of generative AI. Key team members, including Christoph Bodi and James Brooke, will report to him. This appointment allows COO Alexander Ruoff, the current point-person for IT and product, to focus on international development. DĂśrnerâs expertise aligns with CTS Eventimâs growth strategy, with CEO Klaus-Peter Schulenberg lauding his âproven expertiseâ and âentrepreneurial skills,â adding that âhe will bring fresh impetus to the company.â
Concord announced the formation of its new advisory board of noted executives whoâll guide the music companyâs strategic direction and innovation. The board includes Greg Ballard, former CEO of Glu Mobile and Warner Custom Music; Liat Ben-Zur, a digital transformation expert with experience at Microsoft and Philips; Janicza Bravo, an acclaimed writer and director; Darien Dash, a business leader in music, technology, and finance; Marc Geiger, co-creator of Lollapalooza and founder of SAVELIVE; Nick Grouf, an entrepreneur and investor known for co-founding Firefly and Pluto TV; TJ Haynes-Morgan, chief audit executive at Raymond James Financial; Scott Pascucci, former CEO of Concord and current executive chairman of Morrison Hotel Gallery; Jim Weber, CEO of Brooks Running Company; Tom Whalley, a veteran music executive and founder of Loma Vista Recordings; and Jake Wisely, a co-founder and equity partner of Concord.
BOARD SHORTS: Michelle Escoffery was elected chair of The Ivors Academy Trust, a UK charity supporting disadvantaged songwriters and composers. As the Trust approaches its 25th anniversary in 2025, Escofferyâs dedication to music creators is clear, having joined as a Trustee in 2023. With over three decades in the music industry, she is currently president of PRS for Music Membersâ Council, a Trustee of the PRS Foundation, and a member of ICMPâs Industry Advisory Board ⌠Sarah Morris, general manager of NPRâs affiliates in Kansas City, has been elected to the public broadcasterâs board of directors.
Vanessa Brennan | Orfium
Vanessa Brennan joined Orfium as chief transformation officer, a newly created position at the Los Angeles-based music rights management tech firm. Reporting to CEO Rob Wells, sheâll align cross-functional teams for strategic growth. Brennan previously held senior roles at Slack, including director of engineering, and at Spotify, where she managed security and system monitoring. Wells praised her strategic insight and technological expertise as vital to Orfiumâs growth, saying her âleadership abilities will be instrumental as we expand our global footprint and continue innovating to drive value for the entertainment industry.â
ADA, the independent music distribution and artist services division of WMG, is expanding in Southeast Asia with new operations in Indonesia and Thailand. Rasti Sryantoro, founder of Solar Sounds Jakarta and a veteran of Sony Music, will lead ADA Indonesia, while Arisa Maruekatat, with 18 years of expertise at LINE TV, TikTok and elsewhere, will head up ADA Thailand. In Indonesia, ADA has extended its partnership with DPM, connecting with 28 independent labels to amplify artistsâ international profiles. Notable names like Armada and Marcell are part of this collaboration. Additionally, ADA signed an exclusive deal with Voice of Baceprot (VOB), the first Indonesian band to perform at Glastonbury, to further their global reach. These initiatives highlight ADAâs commitment to supporting independent music and strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia, fostering growth and international opportunities for regional artists.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Michele Singer joined Penske Media as vice president and associate general counsel, overseeing legal matters for a swath of publications including Robb Report, SheMedia and the art-focused outlets Art News, Art in America and Artforum, while also supporting Fairchild alongside Nicole Brandofino. Based in New York, Singer will report to Judith Margolin, senior vp and deputy general counsel. Singer brings a wealth of media law expertise, having previously served as G to the C for JAF Communications and MRC Media, where she backed teams here at Billboard and at The Hollywood Reporter. Her skills encompass newsroom counseling, strategic partnerships, data privacy, litigation and advertising law. Before transitioning to media law, Singer spent two decades in the music industry with Sony Music, BMG and EMI Music, handling business affairs ⌠Ex-Billboard news director Shirley Halperin is joining Maer Roshan as co-editor-in-chief of our sister publication, The Hollywood Reporter. Itâs a sequel for Halperin, who previously had a seven-year tenure at THR before taking her talents to Variety and, most recently, Los Angeles Magazine.
Believe announced a new leadership structure in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), appointing Liliana Abudalo as head of label & artist solutions and Celine Hitti as head of artist services. Both will report to regional managing director Dolly Makhoul. Based in Dubai, Abudalo brings over 16 years of experience, having worked with YouTube and other key music companies in the region. Hitti, based in Paris, will focus on empowering independent artists through marketing strategies. Previously head of editorial & marketing partnerships, she has significantly contributed to the Arab music scene and was recognized in Billboard Arabiaâs 40 under 40 list. âThis new leadership team represents a bold step forward in our mission to deliver unique value to our partners and clients, accompanying them at every stage of their development,â said Dolly Makhoul, Believeâs regional managing director. âThrough our MENA footprint, we aim at continuing to establish Believe locally as a leading music company in line with our own vision, model and values: independence, expertise, respect, fairness and transparency.â
Belinda Dinwiddie Havron | Musicians On Call
Musicians On Call, which brings live music to hospitals, named Belinda Dinwiddie Havron as its first Chief Development Officer. Havron will lead all fundraising efforts, including support from individuals, corporate partnerships, events and grants. Over her 37-year career, Havron has raised millions for various causes, including $60 million for capital and special projects. She previously worked at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, creating charitable funds and securing significant support for nonprofits. âHer incomparable reputation in Nashville and decades of experience helping charities grow and thrive will be invaluable as we build the future of our organization,â said MOC president and CEO Pete Griffin. âI know with her leadership we will see great success in expanding our programs to new communities.â
Independent distributor IDOL appointed Rayen Gonzalez as DSP editorial & partnerships manager (UK) to support its growing London roster. Gonzalez, previously with [PIAS], will report to UK general manager Roo Currier and head of DSP editorial & partnerships Paul PĂŠtel. This appointment aligns with IDOLâs new global services deal with UK labels Full Time Hobby and Hassle Records. IDOL will manage worldwide digital distribution, marketing, and audience development for these labels, excluding Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The team will work closely with the labels and artists to expand international audiences using advanced analytics to track playlist performance and consumption trends.
Joanna Batemits launched CLUB SâAKOĂO, an independent music supervision and consulting agency in New York. She previously led the music department at Carousel Collective, working with brands like Victoriaâs Secret, Pepsi, Spotify and Calvin Klein, among others. CLUB SâAKOĂO, which deals in music supervision, copyright clearance, licensing, production and talent negotiations, looks to help client integrate music thoughtfully into media projects and create impactful campaigns. Recently, the agency secured the Spice Girlsâ âNever Give Up On The Good Timesâ for Victoriaâs Secretâs holiday campaign.
Peter Ratcliffe is the new director of content protection at UK labels trade body BPI, effective immediately. With a 32-year career in The City of London Police, where he managed the UK Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit and served as Detective Superintendent, Ratcliffe brings extensive expertise in intellectual property protection. He will lead BPIâs 16-member Content Protection Unit, working closely with BPIâs legal team to address digital and physical music piracy. Reporting to CEO Dr. Jo Twist OBE and supported by Niki Haywood, Ratcliffeâs appointment underscores BPIâs commitment to safeguarding artistsâ work in the evolving music landscape. Dr. Twist highlighted Ratcliffeâs invaluable experience in IP infringement as a crucial asset âat a pivotal time in the transformation of our industry, when human artistry needs more safeguarding than ever.â
Jack Clulow, tvg hospitalityâs group operations director, is relocating from the UK to New York to join the U.S. team. Since 2017, Clulow has been instrumental in launching and managing 13 music and hospitality venues in London and Alabama, with three more projects underway in the U.S., including a new venue in Los Angeles. Founded by Mumford & Sonsâ Ben Lovett, tvg hospitality venues â including the Orion in Huntsville, Ala. and Flat Iron Square in London â and are known for their high quality designs and attention to hospitality that emphasize local character.
ICYMI:
Gerardo MejiĚa
Pam Matthews will retire next year from her role as executive director at the International Entertainment Buyerâs Association (IEBA) ⌠Global Citizen has made two key appointments to their executive leadership team ⌠Gerardo MejĂa of âRico Suaveâ fame got a promotion at UnitedMasters ⌠Kevin Lipson was elevated to chief revenue officer at Republic ⌠and Sony Music Nashville named Taylor Lindsey as chairman and CEO. [KEEP READING]
Last Weekâs Turntable: Universal Hires Warner Veteran to Lead EMI Japan
Pam Matthews will retire from her role as executive director at the International Entertainment Buyerâs Association (IEBA) in the first quarter of next year after 11 years at the helm of the talent buying and booking organization. Matthews modernized the groupâs annual conference in Nashville, transforming the once sleepy get-together into a must-attend annual conference […]
Global Citizen has made two key appointments to their executive leadership team, the company tells Billboard. Katie Hill, senior vp of music, entertainment and artist relations, has been promoted to chief music and entertainment officer, while lfeoma Chuks-Adizue has been hired as Global Citizenâs first-ever MD in Africa.
Hill has been at the company since 2014, leading the music, entertainment and artist relations team in securing renowned acts for Global Citizenâs festivals and campaigns to support the international education and advocacy organizationâs mission to end extreme poverty. Sheâs worked closely with BeyoncĂŠ, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Coldplay, BTSâ Jung Kook, BLACKPINKâs LISA and many more artists, as well as their management teams, to ensure Global Citizenâs mission is clear and accessible. She also developed the companyâs Ambassadors and Advocates for Change program, which has built long-term partnerships with Usher, Hugh Jackman and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
âIâm thrilled to be joining Global Citizenâs executive leadership team as Chief Music and Entertainment Officer. Itâs been an honor to help build such an important movement, which truly leverages the power of music and entertainment to create positive change in the world,â Hill tells Billboard in a statement. âWhen I reflect on the impact that has been achieved over my last 10 years at Global Citizen, I am inspired by the passion and dedication of so many incredible artists and partners across the industry that have joined us in the fight to end extreme poverty. I canât wait to build on this collaborative impact.â
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Chuks-Adizue will spearhead Global Citizenâs activities in Africa, implementing its strategy across the continent including the next installment of Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience. In November 23, Lamar and his company, pgLang, teamed up with Global Citizen to create Move Afrika, a first-of-its-kind touring circuit across Africa that aims at driving economic investment, creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurship opportunities in each host country. Lamar headlined Move Afrika: Rwanda in Kigali last December, with pgLang set to serve as the curator of Move Afrika until 2028. According to a press release, that event employed more than 1,000 Rwandans and engaged 75% local crew and production staff, with a specific focus on creating opportunities for skill development and international skill training. Ghana joined Rwanda as a host country for Move Afrika earlier this year.
In her new role, Chuks-Adizue will oversee key partnerships that span business development, marketing, broadcast and event production, as well as Global Citizenâs Africa-based teams and operations. Based out of Global Citizenâs office in Lagos, Nigeria, Chuks-Adizue will also work closely with the companyâs executive leadership in New York, playing an instrumental role in building relationships with private sector partners and within the philanthropic community.
âIâm honored to be joining the Global Citizen team in this newly created position to drive efforts and impact across Africa. Powered by everyday advocates, campaigns and events that span the world, Global Citizenâs efforts are critical to ending extreme poverty, and Iâm humbled to bring my experience and leadership to this vital work,â says Chuks-Adizue. âI look forward to working with many fantastic partners to continue the momentum and growth of Move Afrika, the pioneering music touring circuit, and drive economic investment, job creation and entrepreneurship opportunities across the continent.â
Prior to joining Global Citizen, Chuks-Adizue served as executive director commercial at Chemical and Allied Products PLC (CAP PLC), a prominent paints manufacturer and distributor in Nigeria, and held key leadership roles at Procter & Gamble Nigeria and Cadbury Nigeria.
âIfeomaâs extensive leadership experience, together with her passion for advocating for women and girls across Africa, perfectly aligns with Global Citizenâs mission,â adds Global Citizen president Liza Henshaw. âHer vast networks of relationships across various sectors will be instrumental in advancing our work across the African continent for years to come.âÂ
UnitedMasters has announced the promotion of music industry veteran Gerardo MejĂa to the newly created position of senior lead of Latin music. This advancement recognizes MejĂaâs significant contributions to the companyâs growth and influence in Latin music.
MejĂa, previously serving as an A&R at UnitedMasters, has been instrumental in expanding the companyâs reach within the Spanish-language genre, boasting several achievements including discovering and signing 2024 breakout Latin superstar FloyyMenor, a teenaged rapper from Chile.
âUnitedMasters has really granted me the runway and latitude to follow my instincts and seek out artists who are unconventional, yet undeniable,â said MejĂa in a press release. âTheyâve given me the utmost trust, and itâs been incredible to continue my journey here. Iâm very thankful and excited for what the future holds. The sky is most definitely the limit.â
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Under his guidance, FloyyMenorâs viral hit âGata Only,â featuring Chris MJ, put Chilean reggaetĂłn on the global map. Additionally, it won the Billboard Latin Music Award for Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and held the No. 1 spot on the Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 consecutive weeks, marking a historic achievement as Floyymenor and Chris MJ became the first Chileans in 25 years to top this list.
âGerardo lives and breathes music. He has been a major force in the explosion of Latin music globally,â said UnitedMasters founder/CEO, Steve Stoute, in a press release. âHe has an impeccable ear for talent and a knack for artist development while empowering his artists to exceed their potential time and time again. Itâs a pleasure to announce this much-deserved promotion.â
UnitedMasters vp of music/head of A&R, Mike Weiss added, âWe are incredibly proud to be promoting Gerardo to this role. Gerardo has continued to reinvent himself while discovering star artists for many years. This success did not happen overnight, and we canât wait for the future in our Latin Music business.âÂ
As MejĂa steps into his new position, he carries a robust record of multi-industry achievements. He first gained international attention as a young Ecuadorian immigrant turned U.S. pop sensation with his 1990 hit âRico Suave.â The track not only charted impressivelyâpeaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on Hot Rap Songs, and No. 12 on Dance Singles Salesâbut also played a pivotal role in ushering Latin music into the U.S. mainstream. Transitioning from Latin pop performer to Latin Power Player, MejĂaâs strategic roles in artist development and A&R at major labels have continually shaped the evolving landscape of the music industry.
His tenure at Interscope Records was marked by facilitating Enrique Iglesiasâ U.S. breakthrough, and he further impacted Latinâs growth by fostering the reggaeton movement during his time at Univision Records. Transitioning seamlessly into entrepreneurship, he also launched Rico Suave Coffee, intertwining his music and business acumen. This breadth of experience underscores his ability to shape the future of Latin music at UnitedMasters with a strategic and innovative approach.
Read our previous profile of Gerardo MejĂa here.
Republic has announced the promotion of Kevin Lipson to the newly created position of chief revenue officer, effective immediately, as touted by president and COO Jim Roppo.
In this role, Lipson will lead revenue strategies for artists across Republic Records, Mercury Records, Def Jam Recordings and Island Records through the Republic Corps. Collective. Heâll oversee teams involved in streaming, e-commerce, data, retail, gaming, sports marketing, media planning and catalog initiatives, while also driving innovation campaigns to boost audience and revenue growth.
The New York-based Lipson is a 28-year veteran of Universal Music Group, having held senior management roles at Republic, Island, Def Jam and Universal Music Group Distribution in both LA and New York. His tenure at Republic â most recently as evp of global commerce and digital strategy â has seen the label earn titles such as Billboard 200 Label of the Year and Billboard Hot 100 Label of the Year, and achieve the industryâs ten biggest streaming weeks of all time.
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His team has delivered successful albums for artists like The Weeknd, Metro Boomin and Morgan Wallen, among others. In mid-2022, Lipsonâs marketing rollout strategies for Post Maloneâs Twelve Carat Toothache album earned him a hat-tip as Billboardâs executive of the week.
The expanded role, but not title, for Lipson â encompassing revenue strategy at the label group â was initially announced in March as part of the formation of the East Coast-based Republic Corps, designed to compliment UMGâs Interscope Capitol Labels Group out west.
Roppo praised Lipson as a âtenaciousâ and innovative, adding, âwith a fresh perspective, heâs constantly looking for unconventional ways to break new artists and maximize global repertoire revenue for our roster of superstars.â
Lipson thanked Republicâs leadership for their backing and emphasized the collaborative nature of the team. âThey support their people here firstâwhich inspires everybody to compete at the highest level while breaking historic industry records,â he noted. âOur team is involved in many different facets of the label, which is inspiring to all. Itâs not exclusive to marketing, sales, and data; itâs all-encompassing. Even with all of the incredible success, weâre constantly trying to evolve and better ourselves while staying humble.â
Taylor Lindsey has been named as Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville (SMN), beginning January 2025. She replaces Randy Goodman, who announced in September he would be retiring at the end of the year after running the company since 2015.
Additionally, Ken Robold, has been named president and chief operating officer of Sony Music Nashville.
Lindsey will oversee Sony Music Nashville, as well as leading Christian music company Provident Entertainment. She will remain based in Nashville and report to Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group.Â
âIâm very grateful to step into this role,â Lindsey said in a statement. âAlong with Ken and the incredible SMN team, we are committed to fostering collaboration with our artists, creators and fans, and will create a vibrant community that not only honors our rich heritage in storytelling but also redefines the sound of country music for generations.â
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Lindsey has been head of A&R for SMN since 2021, most recently serving as vp. She has worked closely with Sony artists including Old Dominion, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Maren Morris and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others.Â
âI am very excited that we can promote a creative talent from within the company to this top position,â Stringer said in a statement. âI have witnessed Taylor become an all-round executive from an A&R background and she is ideally suited to plot the future for our Nashville team in a chapter where country music is clearly evolving and thriving as a key musical genre. I am also so pleased that simultaneously to Taylorâs appointment Ken will be in an important wider role helping her build a new era for Sony Music Nashville.â
Prior to joining SMN in 2013, Lindsey, who has been featured on Billboardâs Women in Music and Country Power Players lists, worked in A&R at BMG Music Publishing, where she represented Grammy-award winning songwriters such as Hillary Lindsey and Tony Lane.
Robold, who has also been on Billboardâs Country Power Players list, joined SMN in 2015 as executive vp and COO. Previously, he was president of Zac Brownâs Southern Ground Artists and spent 22 years at Universal Music Group.
The news means that all three major labels in Nashville are headed or co-headed by women: Cindy Mabe is chair/CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville and Cris Lacy is co-chair/co-president of Warner Music Nashville alongside Gregg Nadel. It also means that all the heads of the three Nashville majors have changed hands over the past two years., with Lacy and then Ben Kline replacing chairman/CEO John Esposito at Warner at the end of 2022, while UMGN chairman/CEO Mike Dungan left his post in 2023, with Mabe officially taking over April 1, 2023.