Jody Gerson Appointed Chairman, CEO of UMPG

Jody Gerson. Photo: Austin Hargrave

Universal Music Group (UMG) has appointed Jody Gerson as Chairman and CEO of the company’s music publishing division, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), effective January 1, 2015. Gerson, who has served as co-president of Sony/ATV Publishing since 2008, will be based at UMPG’s headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., and will report to UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge.  She will succeed Zach Horowitz, who, as previously reported, has stepped down from his role as UMPG Chairman and CEO.

Grainge said, “Jody Gerson is simply one of the best music publishers in the business, and we are thrilled that she will be bringing her creativity, savvy and vast experience to UMPG.  Jody represents a new breed of music industry leadership, with a keen understanding of the evolving role of music publishers in the digital era and a track record of artist successes that places her among all-time greats.  I’m excited for what we will accomplish together.”

Grainge continued, “On behalf of everyone at the company, let me extend our profound gratitude to Zach for his adept stewardship of UMPG and his decades of service to UMG.   His versatility as an executive and leader is extremely rare and we wish him only the best.”

Gerson’s first signing at Sony/ATV Music Publishing was then-unknown singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. She also played a part in the careers of Enrique Iglesias, Mac Miller, Pitbull, RedOne, Shakira and Pharrell Williams, among others. Gerson’s career began at Chappell music (Warner/Chappell’s predecessor). After six years at Chappell, Gerson joined EMI as head of the company’s east coast publishing division. In 1996, she signed a 15-year-old Alicia Keys, who went on to sell more than 10 million albums nationwide. Gerson signed Norah Jones in 2003.

Additionally, Gerson served as a producer of the successful films Drumline and ATL.  She is currently serving as executive producer for Drumline 2 for VH1.