Universal Music Group announced the formation of the UMG Global Impact team, which will “deliver and amplify the company's vision for positive change through community engagement, environmental sustainability, events and special projects.” The team leaders are:
Susan Mazo has been promoted to EVP and Chief Impact Officer. Previously, she served as EVP, Social Responsibility, Events and Special Projects. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, she joined UMG in 2014 and has been a leader in sustainability, philanthropy and community engagement. She has also led numerous initiatives in the areas of artist health care, mental health and homelessness, which were honored at Variety's Power of Women New York event in 2023.
Dylan Siegler has been appointed Senior Vice President of Sustainability. She has 20 years of experience driving environmental and social impact at Fortune 500 companies, including decarbonization and climate justice strategies in energy, technology and the built environment. She was previously a music journalist.
Inside Projects, a strategy and marketing agency specializing in social impact, will serve as UMG's exclusive music industry partner and will advise the company with its global impact team in the areas of communications, public policy, artist and stakeholder relations.
Menna Demessie (senior vice president and executive director of the Task Force for Meaningful Change and former senior vice president of the Black Caucus' Policy and Leadership Institute) also serves as a leader on the Global Impact team.
• With Markie Ruzzo, who has been promoted to vice president of global impact
• Charlotte Ritchie, previously Senior Director of Communications and head of the UK Taskforce for Meaningful Change, will now become Senior Director of Global Impact & Communications.
“The formation of the Global Impact team not only accelerates our work in these critical areas, but also reflects our commitment to leveraging the experience and talents of these extraordinary individuals to drive positive impact across our company, our industry and the communities we serve,” Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of UMG, said in the announcement.
+ Global sports, music and entertainment company Wasserman has announced that Lee Anderson has expanded his role to president of Wasserman's music division, effective immediately. A founding member of Wasserman Music's executive leadership team, Anderson played a key role in establishing the agency upon its launch in 2021.
In addition to serving as President, Anderson represents artists such as Cautious Clay, David Guetta, Disclosure, Kenny Beats, Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia and Zedd. He previously held senior management roles at AM Only, which was acquired by Paradigm in 2017. Paradigm's North American live music representation business was acquired by Wasserman in 2021 to form Wasserman Music.
“As our music business continues to grow and expand, Lee has assumed increasing leadership responsibilities and played a key role in building the foundation for Wasserman Music and charting a path for even broader global success,” said Casey Wasserman, Wasserman's chairman and CEO.
+ Big Loud Records has promoted Patch Culbertson to EVP/GM. The promotion is effective immediately and will report directly to the company's partners Seth England, Joey Moi and Craig Wiseman.
Culbertson joined Big Loud Records in 2017 as Vice President of A&R and was promoted to SVP/GM of the label in 2021. With this promotion, he will continue to oversee day-to-day operations. Label roster members include Ashley Cook, Dylan Gossett, Ernest Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, Lily Rose, Maggie Rose, Morgan Wallen and Steven Wilson Jr. Culbertson previously spent eight years at Republic Records where he was promoted to Director of A&R in the label's New York headquarters.
“Patch has been an integral part of Big Loud's success over the past seven-plus years,” said England. “He's a true leader who has dedicated his time and expertise to the company, and his impact should never be underestimated.”
+ Arista Records has promoted longtime A&R executive Matt Darduini to executive vice president of A&R. Darduini will continue to work out of the company's New York office and report to president David Massey.
Darduini, who has been with Arista since its relaunch in 2018, has worked closely with artists such as Morne Skin, JP Saxe and Paul Russell, including on the recently released soundtrack to The Idea of You. He previously worked with Massey for six years at Island Records (where he worked with artists such as Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes and Mike Posner), after a decade at Robbins Entertainment (Cascada, Afrojack, etc.).
“It has been an honor to work with Matt from the beginning and to develop our roster of artists into who they are today,” said Massey. “His leadership has been integral to our continued success, and I look forward to watching our artists grow under his guidance and support in the years to come.”
+ Day After Day Productions (DADP) has announced the hiring of Melanie Davis as head of tour marketing, as well as the promotions of Mark Oertel to head of creative and Erin Patterson to head of marketing.
Davis previously served as Head of Marketing for ICM Partners' Concerts division (2013-2022) and has held similar leadership roles at Azoff Music, Nederlander Concerts, Live Nation and Bill Graham Presents. The company's clients include Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Missy Elliott, Ludacris, Flo Rida, Bow Wow, The Queens of R&B featuring Xscape, Staind, Aaron Lewis, 98 Degrees, Wayne Newton and Engelbert Humperdinck. Davis, Ertell and Patterson will be supported by Marketing Coordinator Justin Scott Young and DADP's Central Services division.
“Melanie's experience and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our artist and live event marketing efforts. Additionally, Erin and Mark's promotions recognize their exceptional contributions to our clients and agencies and ensure a cohesive, powerful marketing force,” said Founder and CEO Seth Shomes.
+ The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has hired Alex Matulov as head of business development, who will oversee A2IM's strategic partnerships and sponsorship opportunities for the association's events, including its annual Indie Week Conference and the Libera Awards.
Matulov previously spent more than 10 years at Superfly, where he oversaw brand sponsorships and activations for festivals such as Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. He was also Chief Revenue Officer for Revolution Marketing, where he managed sponsorships for venues such as Merriweather Post Pavilion Amphitheatre in Maryland and Orion Alabama. Previously, he served as Vice President of National Events & Experiential Partnerships at iHeartMedia.
“Alex's expertise and passion for the independent music community will enrich our current work and lead A2IM to even greater opportunities,” said A2IM CEO Richard James Burgess.