John Zarling Exits Sony Music Nashville

John Zarling. Photo: Jeremiah Scott

Sony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President John Zarling is exiting his post with the label to pursue new career opportunities, MusicRow has confirmed.

Serving as Sony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President, Marketing & New Business since January 2017, Zarling has overseen the label’s marketing efforts as well as brand partnerships, digital marketing, international marketing, media and creative services.

Prior to his position at Sony Music, Zarling served as Senior Vice President, Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy, for Big Machine Label Group. A Big Machine Label Group executive since its launch in 2005, he played a pivotal role in the careers of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride and Brantley Gilbert, among many others.

While at Big Machine, Zarling created partnerships with Comcast, Disney, Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute at HCA, Allstate Insurance and American Express; additionally, he initiated promotion campaigns for successful TV and film endeavors including ABC’s Nashville, FOX’s American Idol, NBC’s The Voice, Warner Bros. Films’ Valentine’s Day and the Oscar-nominated Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.

California native Zarling joined Mercury Records’ promotion department in 2001, upon graduation from Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.

Zarling can be reached at john@johnzarling.com.