Executive Turntable
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Following Cindy Mabe’s departure as CEO/chairman of Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN) earlier on Thursday (Feb. 6), parent company Universal Music Group has appointed Mike Harris as CEO and named noted producer and nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb as chief creative officer.
The move is a return to UMGN for Harris, who served as COO/executive VP there until his departure last September.
“We see an incredible opportunity to expand our presence in Nashville and build upon our industry leading track record,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman/CEO of UMG, in a statement. “The worldwide success of our country artists demonstrate that the genre truly has no boundaries and I’m excited for what lies ahead creatively and commercially.”
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“I am humbled to have been asked by Sir Lucian to lead UMG Nashville at such an important and exciting time in country music,” said Harris, who had initially joined UMGN in 2016 after 15 years at EMI. “I also look forward to work closely with Dave Cobb, the amazing roster of artists and my friends at UMG Nashville.”
Cobb said, “I am incredibly excited to work with Mike Harris, I’m here to honor the past, and look to the future.”
Cobb, one of Music City’s most in-demand collaborators, has produced such albums as Chris Stapleton’s 6-times-platinum Traveller, Jason Isbell’s Southeastern and Brandi Carlile’s By The Way I Forgive You as well as recent albums for Mumford & Sons, Red Clay Strays, Zayn, Greta Van Fleet, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire and music for Deliver Me From Nowhere, the forthcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic.
Mabe, whose reign lasted almost two years, was the successor to Mike Dungan, who retired in March 2023. Mabe became the first woman to lead a Nashville major label group. Country Airplay first broke the news.
“I want to thank Cindy Mabe for all her contributions to our Nashville company,” Grainge said. “She leaves UMG with our gratitude and respect.”
In addition to Stapleton, UMGN is home to such acts as Eric Church, Luke Bryan, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton and The War and Treaty. Among its more recent successes were upstart Tucker Wetmore, who reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart last year with “Wind Up Missin’ You,” and Ringo Starr, whose country album is the first release from the newly-relaunched Lost Highway/UMGN and debuted at No. 27 on Top Country Albums.
Entertainment attorney Dina LaPolt is expanding her empire. The advocate and founder of LaPolt Law has announced the launch of LaPolt Media, which will focus on producing content that “inspires, informs and amplifies impactful voices while providing a platform for LaPolt’s unparalleled expertise and advocacy,” according to a press release.
“Launching LaPolt Media is about taking everything I’ve learned from fighting for creators, breaking down barriers, and rewriting the rules — and putting it into action in new ways,” said LaPolt in a statement. “Whether it’s a book, a podcast, or a bold idea, I want to empower people to own their story, seize their power, and make an impact.”
The company’s debut projects include LaPolt’s upcoming motivational book Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man’s World, to be released Oct. 7, and her new podcast, The Stiletto Room, which is set to launch this spring.
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LaPolt has tapped Samantha Gayle Bullock as chief media officer and executive producer of The Stiletto Room at LaPolt Media. Bullock has a background in both the music and entertainment industries encompassing IP development, artist and estate relations, content programming, global marketing and strategic media partnerships. She will oversee a team that includes The Press House, which will manage press campaigns, Crowd Surf, which will handle social media initiatives; and publishing and podcast distribution partners, all of which were handpicked by LaPolt.
Samantha Bullock
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“When I took Dina’s UCLA Music Business professional extension course 15 years ago — one that focused on the legal and practical aspects of the music business — I was already running my own indie rock marketing agency, but the experience was transformative,” said Bullock in a statement. “It was both a lesson in self-empowerment and a deep dive into how the entire music industry operates. To now have the opportunity to work alongside her is such a full-circle moment, and I’m thrilled to help bring her vision for LaPolt Media to life.”
Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man’s World, published by Burman Books Media, will distill decades of LaPolt’s hard-won wisdom into a playbook for navigating competitive industries. It will draw from LaPolt’s experiences building a powerhouse law firm from scratch and negotiating high-stakes deals. LaPolt will share insights on navigating negotiation, building confidence, defusing emotional triggers, sharpening instincts and turning even the toughest setbacks into stepping stones for success.
In The Stiletto Room podcast, LaPolt will sit down with “trailblazing creatives, disruptors and unapologetic originals” to discuss work, life, love, LGBTQ+ journeys, social justice and other topics. LaPolt Law describes the podcast as “combining the energy of Call Her Daddy with the insight of Mel Robbins.”
LaPolt Media is currently specific to the attorney’s projects, but the company intends to look at other projects going forward. Any additional projects will lean into advocacy.
LaPolt is celebrated for co-founding one of the nation’s most prominent songwriter advocacy groups, Songwriters of North America (SONA), which led to her work on the landmark 2018 Music Modernization Act and her efforts in championing creators’ rights. She has also worked on he Restoring Artistic Expressions (RAP) Act in the House and the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which is now law in California. She also advocated for the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act in Tennessee and is currently working on the passage of the No Fakes Act, currently pending in Congress, which would give every American a first-ever federal property right in their own voice and likeness, preventing non-consensual deep fakes.
Despite the new media venture, LaPolt maintains that her main focus will always be her law firm. “My law practice will always be my first passion and first priority,” LaPolt said, “but with the LaPolt Media team, I’m building a platform to amplify the voices and visions that deserve to be heard. No fluff, no nonsense — just unapologetic, unstoppable truth.”
Cindy Mabe, Universal Music Group Nashville’s chair/CEO, has left the company, Billboard has confirmed.
Mabe, whose reign lasted almost two years, was the successor to Mike Dungan, who retired in March 2023. Mabe became the first woman to lead a Nashville major label group. Country Aircheck first broke the news.
Mabe, who was 2019 Billboard’s Country Power Player executive of the year, had come out of the gate with ambitious plans that greatly broadened the scope of UMG Nashville’s remit, including an alliance with Cirque du Soleil, signing a number of acts that she introduced during a “Revival” that were left-of-center of mainstream country, launching a TV/film production company and, last month, reviving Lost Highway Records with T Bone Burnett.
The label is home to such acts as Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton, Little Big Town and The War and Treaty. Among its more recent successes were upstart Tucker Wetmore, who reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart last year with “Wind Up Missin’ You,” and Ringo Starr, whose country album is the first release from Lost Highway/UMGN and debuted at No. 27 on Top Country Albums.
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In a January interview with Billboard about restarting Lost Highway, Mabe stressed focusing on artistry and lamented the loss of art in music as analytics have played a bigger role. “T Bone and I keep talking about the reason that we’re going to win is we’re going to put quality art back into the marketplace,” Mabe said. “It’s just missing. I’m not saying that there’s not some quality art out there, but it’s not always the goal. You don’t get artist development just by spinning the wheel and seeing how many ‘likes’ are out there. You actually have to make people feel something.”
Upon Mabe’s ascension from UMG Nashville president, she quickly made staffing changes, including the departures of the head of promotion, Royce Risser, and two heads of A&R, Brian Wright and Stephanie Wright, while bringing in Chelsea Blythe as executive vp of A&R. Blythe had been best known for her work with hip-hop artists at Def Jam, Columbia and Interscope. More recently, executive vp/COO Mike Harris left UMG Nashville in September.
UMG Nashville and UMG representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Welcome to Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business.
Earlier this week, we released our annual rankings of the music industry’s top executives, however, Thursday brought the shocking news of the passing of one those honorees. Ben Vaughn, president and CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, died Thursday of undisclosed causes at only 49. “The music community has lost a truly extraordinary executive and human being,” said Troy Tomlinson, chairman and CEO of rival UMPG Nashville.
Read on for this week’s updates.
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Alison Smith, longtime executive vp and chief distribution and publisher relations officer at BMI, announced her retirement after nearly 40 years with the company. Starting in 1985 on a temporary assignment in Nashville, Smith’s career at BMI has evolved through multiple departments, ultimately overseeing all domestic and international royalty distribution and administration services for over 1.3 million affiliated songwriters, composers and music publishers. She’s been based in New York since 1987 and will officially step down at the end of March. In her announcement to colleagues, Smith expressed her deep affection for the PRO and said her decision leaned heavily on wanting to spend more time with family and friends. She pointed out the fact she spent her entire career at BMI “says everything about our company, the people, and our mission to support, guide and protect our songwriters, composers and publishers,” adding, “music has always been my passion and will continue to be, and I know BMI will always be a shining star in this business.” Among her numerous industry accolades, Smith was recognized as one of Billboard’s Women in Music for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019, and again in 2023.
BMI president and CEO Mike O’Neill commended Smith’s significant contributions to both BMI and the wider music community. He also announced that Smith will serve as a strategic advisor for the next two years, with Shouvik Das, svp of distribution, publisher relations & administration services, assuming her responsibilities and reporting directly to him.
“I have known Alison since I began working at BMI 30 years ago, and she has been a colleague, partner, advisor and friend to me every day that I have been here,” O’Neill said. “Alison is part of the fabric of BMI, and she has helped us become the company we are today. She has touched so many lives in an indelible way, not just internally at BMI but also within the larger music community. She will be missed.”
Meanwhile…
Universal Music Publishing Group welcomed Jamie Kinelski as the publisher’s new senior vice president of A&R, reporting to evp and head of U.S. A&R, Jennifer Knoepfle. Based in New York, Kinelski will focus on signing, developing and mentoring songwriters, artists and producers while helping expand UMPG’s U.S. A&R team. Kinelski previously served as senior vp and head of West Coast creative at Kobalt, where she signed and developed artists like Rogét Chahayed, Cuco, and Father John Misty. She also built key partnerships with Heavy Duty Publishing and 88Rising. Before Kobalt, she was creative director at ASCAP, working with artists such as Big Sean and HAIM. Knoepfle praised Kinelski’s leadership and “fierce” advocacy for songwriters, calling her a “tremendous asset to the dynamic and fresh executive team we are building,” adding, “her vast publishing and leadership experience will be extremely valuable to our company’s continued growth.”
Concord promoted Jonathan Eby to executive vp of information systems and technology. Eby will continue to be based in Concord’s Nashville office, and will oversee the company’s global technology, including infrastructure, development and strategy across all of Concord’s business areas. Eby joined Concord in 2017, and previously served as COO of classical music distributor/label Naxos. –Jessica Nicholson
NASHVILLE NOTES: Former CAA music agent Sabrina Butera launched the artist and influencer management company Collide Talent, offering a full-service platform for artists, influencers and entrepreneurs. The company’s initial roster includes country artist Austin Snell, whom she rep’d at CAA, and DIBS Beauty co-founder Courtney Shields … 615 Leverage + Strategy relaunched as Results Global with its existing partners, chief marketing officer John Zarling and COO Jackie Campbell, remaining atop the organization’s structure. The team, which counts Dolly Parton as its largest client, also includes brands account director Alissa Endres, manager of talent projects and music marketing Dawson Simmons, account coordinator Aden Henke, creative director Frashier Baudry and media planner and strategist Lauren Miskella … Business management firm O’Neil Hagaman added principal Rick Myers. He spent the last three years as Big Machine Label Group svp of finance and IT.
Joseph Morrison and Amy Hart, veterans of Eliot Grainge’s 10K Projects, teamed up with tech entrepreneur Scott Lewis to launch prairy (prairy.xyz), a remote-only label focused on speed in closing deals and servicing artist needs. The prairy team is strategically located across the U.S. and Canada, including Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and Atlanta. Operating without a physical office, prairy uses a San Francisco venture-style model that emphasizes speed, iteration and flexibility. The label has already signed a diverse roster of artists, including Dylan Espeseth, .idk., Ri Wavey, Nicole Amoroso, yurms and has partnerships with TRENCH HOUSE and others. Lewis emphasizes prairy’s commitment to operational agility, saying the “system is broken, and we think there’s a better way. The music industry is accustomed to schedules set by the month – we prefer to get things done in days, not weeks.”
BOARD SHORTS: The MLC appointed four new members to its advisory committees. Jennifer Falco of Hipgnosis Songs Group joins the Dispute Resolution Committee, while Iwona Wyrzykowska of Universal Music Publishing Group, Jessica Richling O’Malley of Warner Chappell Music, and Kristina Johnson of Kobalt Music have been named to the Operations Advisory Committee … NAMM elected eight new board members to three-year terms during its 2025 Show. The newly elected board members are Mayumi Allison, Betty Bennett, Jenna Day, Jeremiah Manriquez, Tim Pratt, Thomas Ripsam, Tom Tedesco and Hans Thomann … The Worldwide Independent Network held aboard meeting on Jan. 23, confirming Zena White and Maria Amato for a third term as chair and treasurer, respectively. New members include Felippe Llerena as director, with Cecilia Crespo and Ian Harrison joining as observers. Tony Kiewel transitioned from observer to director. Outgoing members Alejandro Varela, Sandra Rodrigues and Garry West were thanked for their contributions. A full list of WIN board members is here.
ShopKeeper Management, founded by Marion Kraft in 2009, promoted Crystal Dishmon to co-manager of Miranda Lambert alongside Kraft, while continuing to manage Tenille Townes. Dishmon, with extensive industry experience, including senior roles at AEG and Dale Morris, has been with ShopKeeper since 2010. Additionally, Laura Spinelli has been promoted to day-to-day manager for Lambert and continues as digital marketing manager. Spinelli has led innovative marketing campaigns and brand partnerships during her nearly decade-long tenure at ShopKeeper. Based in Nashville, ShopKeeper represents Lambert, Townes and Pistol Annies. The promotions highlight ShopKeeper’s commitment to mentorship and empowering female leaders in the music industry.
Ross Anderson, a former Warner Music communications executive, has launched Dept. of Connection, a New York-based PR agency focused on helping next-gen artists and brands build lasting cultural connections. The agency’s celestial roster includes Deafheaven and Superheaven, no relation, with more projects t/b/a soon. Anderson previously served as vp of public relations at Elektra Entertainment, leading campaigns for Turnstile, Slipknot, Gojira, Twenty One Pilots and more, until his departure in September of last year. He began his career at Atlantic Records in 2007, working his way up to vp. You can reach Ross here.
Rough Bones, a boutique label based in London, launched a new office in Lagos, Nigeria, to expand into the Afrobeat genre. Leading the office is senior A&R exec Jeffrey Onuoha, operations manager Daisy Ogunlana, digital strategist Eskor Umo, and A&R rep Samuel Mark.
Indie distributor IDOL appointed Camille Floch as international marketing and label services coordinator. Floch, previously a label manager at [PIAS], will work under Constance de Bosredon, promoted to head of international, marketing and label services in 2024. In comments, De Bosredon welcomed Floch and highlighted IDOL’s commitment to labels and artists. IDOL also announced this week that it has partnered with Mexican Summer and Dom Recs for global digital distribution, marketing and audience development.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Former Billboard-er Andrew Hampp is now managing director of music and consumer partnerships at Variety. Since joining the PMC publication in 2022, he has created partnership opportunities with brands like TikTok, Sony Audio and Cash App. Hampp’s priors in the branding space include founding 1803 LLC, where he consulted for clients across media, advertising and music, and a two-and-a-half year tenure as vp at MAC Presents. In a past life, Hampp was Billboard’s senior correspondent, covering branding, sponsorships and tech during much of the 2010s.
ICYMI:
David Field
Warner Records upped Mike Chester to general manager … Arwen Hunt will lead Various Artists Management‘s new office in Australia … AEG promoted Adam Wilkes to president/CEO of AEG Presents, Europe and Asia-Pacific and elevated Alex Hill to president/CEO of AEG International … Wasserman Music hired five key executives … David Field stepped down as president/CEO of Audacy … Katie Welle is now head of U.S. A&R at SMP … Eve Konstan is out as Spotify‘s general counsel … and the longtime president of the Kennedy Center is passing the torch. [Cont.]
Last Week’s Turntable: WMG Changes Things Up in Hong Kong
Mike Chester has been promoted to general manager of Warner Records, expanding his responsibilities to include digital and viral marketing, as well as artist development, while continuing to oversee promotion and commerce.
Based in Los Angeles, Chester reports to co-chairman & COO Tom Corson and works closely with label CEO & co-chairman Aaron Bay-Schuck on company goals and artist release strategies.
Chester joined Warner in 2018 as executive vp of promotion, later adding commerce to his title in 2021. His leadership has been instrumental in Warner Records’ revitalization, earning him recognition as Billboard‘s Executive of the Week following a barrage of midyear wins in 2024.
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Before Warner, he served as senior vp at Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, working with Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, and spent over a decade at Def Jam Recordings. He began his career at Arista Records before moving to Atlantic and then Def Jam in 2004.
Corson and Bay-Schuck praised Chester’s leadership, artist relations expertise, and strategic vision, crediting him with playing a key role in Warner’s resurgence.
“He possesses extraordinary leadership qualities, has excellent artist relations skills, and knows how to balance all with confidence, compassion, and integrity,” they said. “He is an invaluable member of our senior management team and we know he will continue to thrive and innovate in his new role.”
Chester also shared his excitement about the new role, emphasizing Warner’s dedication to artist development and innovation.
“The team here at Warner is phenomenal, and our artist roster – from emerging talent to superstars – is second to none,” he said. “We pride ourselves on being the premiere artist development label, and we constantly discover new avenues in which to bring even more music to fans. I’m excited to continue promoting, innovating, and building careers in this dynamic and rapidly expanding musical environment.”
AEG has unveiled the company’s plans for realigning its international business divisions, promoting Adam Wilkes to the newly created position of president/CEO of AEG Presents, Europe and Asia-Pacific and elevating Alex Hill to lead AEG’s global real estate and venue operations outside the U.S. in the new position of president/CEO of AEG International. In his new […]
Wasserman Music has hired five key executives to expand its client service offerings worldwide, the company announced Wednesday (Jan. 29).
“As our clients’ needs continually expand along with our ever-evolving industry, we’ve continued to stay ahead of these changes so that we’re always able to provide best-in-class service to our artists and partners,” said Wasserman Music President Lee Anderson in a statement.
The new hires include Vince Amoroso, who joins Wasserman Music as senior vp of artist services in the company’s New York office. Amoroso will help develop new revenue opportunities for clients across industries, including commercial and digital partnerships, merchandise and e-commerce, original content and IP, gaming, film, TV, and books. He previously served as chief marketing officer for independent music company The Other Songs and as senior vp/head of marketing and business development at management services company mtheory, where he worked with A$AP Rocky, Sabrina Carpenter, J. Cole, Skrillex, Diplo, FKA twigs and Florence + the Machine.
Also in New York, Georgia McGurk joins as vp of event strategy & hospitality, taking a newly created role to enhance the broader market presence of Wasserman Music and its artists through the strategic development and execution of high-touch VIP and white-glove experiences for clients, partners and industry professionals across sectors. McGurk has spent a decade working in the sports and entertainment industries at companies such as IMG/Endeavor and, most recently, BSE Global, the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center.
Elsewhere, Sharmaine Akhigbe joins as vp of brand partnerships in Wasserman’s London office, where she will develop and manage new partnerships worldwide for clients and brands across the U.K. and Europe, as well as new opportunities for Wasserman Music’s full client roster. She previously served as director of premier artists at Premier Model Management.
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Also joining Wasserman Music is Karina Gonzalez as VP of festivals for Wasserman’s L.A. office, where she will focus on client bookings for Latin music festivals in the U.S. and contemporary festivals across Latin America. She previously served as vp of touring & development at Latin concert promoter Zamora Live, where she was instrumental in expanding the company’s reach across Central America and the U.S. Gonzalez also served as an agent at UTA focused on the Latin American market for major music artists including Karol G, Lauryn Hill, Bring Me the Horizon, AURORA and Arlo Parks.
Lastly, Yasi Agahnia joins as director of corporate & special events in Wasserman’s L.A. office, where she will primarily focus on private event bookings for artists across the electronic, hip-hop and R&B genres, though she will also work with artists across Wasserman Music’s full client roster. Agahnia previously worked at CAA, where she rose from working in the company’s mailroom to becoming an agent in its private & corporate events division.
Wednesday’s news follows Wasserman Music’s announcement earlier this month that it had onboardedthree top executives from rival agency WME — Kevin Shivers, James Rubin and Cristina Baxter — to join its executive leadership team.
Wasserman Music
Audacy president/CEO David Field is stepping down, with current Audacy board member Kelli Turner to serve as interim president/CEO, effective immediately. A search is underway for Field’s permanent successor, the company said on Wednesday. Field has served as president of Audacy since 1998, and added CEO duties to his role in 2002. He will continue […]
Sony Music Publishing has promoted Katie Welle to president and head of U.S. A&R, effective Feb. 1. Welle will succeed Walter Jones, who is leaving the company after nearly three years in the role. In her new position, which is based in Los Angeles and reports up to SMP chairman and CEO Jon Platt, Welle […]
Spotify general counsel Eve Konstan is exiting her role at the streaming giant “to step away from full-time corporate life,” she announced via LinkedIn on Monday (Jan. 27). “This marks the end of a chapter that’s been filled with unforgettable experiences and immense personal growth,” Konstan wrote, “and while it’s bittersweet to step away from […]