Ramping up the marketing side at Verve Music Group, veteran exec Robert Smith has been named g.m. of the Universal Music Group unit.

Smith, formerly senior veep of A&R at Concord Music Group, will be based in Santa Monica and report to Verve chairman David Foster.

Smith will be charged with marketing, digital, social media and promotional activities at the label group, which is increasingly focused on the adult market.

Upcoming releases from Verve and sister imprint Decca Records include a Foster-produced holiday album from Rod Stewart, a T Bone Burnett-produced collection by singer-pianist Diana Krall due in the fall and new albums by Elton John, Rufus Wainwright, Melody Gardot and Celtic Thunder’s Keith Harkin.

Verve also has oversight on UMG’s sizable jazz catalog and markets such contempo acts as Jamie Cullum, Trombone Shorty and Brian Culbertson.