Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has promoted Jessica Rivera to Senior Vice President/Co-Head of East Coast Operations, it was announced today by Ethiopia Habtemariam, Executive Vice President/Head of Urban Music, UMPG and Monti Olson, Executive Vice President/Head of Pop & Rock Music, UMPG to whom Ms. Rivera jointly reports. Formerly, Ms. Rivera served as Vice President, Creative, Urban Music, East Coast.
For over a decade, Ms. Rivera has been responsible for recognizing talent and catapulting formerly unknown songwriters into proven, big name successes. For this ability, Rivera has earned a well-recognized and respected name behind-the-scenes amongst music executives, artists, and songwriters. The Bronx, New York native has also actively served to mentor many who aspire to join the music business.
“As co-head, Jessica steps up to a new role of becoming a leader of our East Coast office. This new position validates her many accomplishments and growth into a remarkable executive,” said Ms. Habtemariam. “Jessica’s proven track record as a hit-driven creative executive with a talent for nurturing and developing songwriters, combined with her great relationships both within the industry and within our company and affiliated labels, makes her the ideal choice to co-head UMPG’s New York efforts.”
“Jessica’s appointment sends a strong message to the creative community that UMPG’s New York offices are connecting with writers in a way a great music publisher should and that we are committed to taking a leadership position in terms of client service, making sure that our presence is felt and our writers are given our full attention,” said Mr. Olson. “Jessica works tirelessly to introduce new music and talent to the industry.”
“I am grateful to Monti and Ethiopia for this opportunity and the trust they have shown in me. I look forward to continuing to work with and learn from Evan Lamberg (President, UMPG North America), who has been a great mentor. I am excited to help lead our East Coast office and continuing to creatively guide and support our songwriters alongside this amazing team atUMPG,” said Ms. Rivera.
Ms. Rivera has signed several multi-platinum songwriters, such as mega-hitmaker Alex Da Kid (GRAMMY nominations including Song of the Year “Love The Way You Lie” by Eminem featuring Rihanna and Record of the Year “Airplanes” recorded by B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams). Alex’s credits include songs by Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Diddy-Dirty Money, Dr. Dre, Lupe Fiasco – all of which led to his own KIDinaKorner imprint through Interscope, where he recently signed Imagine Dragons. Rivera also signed Andrew “Pop” Wansel (credits include Big Sean, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, Wiz Khalifa); DJ Khalil (credits include Eminem and Dr. Dre), and recent signing Philip Lawrence of The Smeezingtons (credits include Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Cee Lo Green, Kid Cudi, Bad Meets Evil, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa). Lawrence’s publishing deal with UMPG commences upon expiration of his current publishing deal. Among the multi-platinum artiststhat she has signed to publishing deals are B.o.B, along with Shady Publishing (signed by Ms. Rivera prior to the recording of his debut LP, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray) and Jeremih.
Most recently, Rivera signed Grammy award winning songwriter/producer Emile Haynie to the company. Haynie produced Lana Del Rey’s album, Born To Die, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard UK charts and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Haynie also co-wrote, “Blue Jeans.” Haynie collaborated with Eminem on the Grammy winning Best Rap Album, Recovery, producing the track “Going Through Changes.” Haynie has co-written tracks for New York based group fun. on their sophomore album Some Nights. He also co-wrote and co-produced “Runaway” off of Kanye West’s platinum selling My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy which won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. Haynie also collaborated with Lil’ Wayne on his multi-platinum Tha Carter IV, co-writing and producing “Novacaine.” Haynie has also worked with Kid Cudi, co-producing Cudi’s Man on the Moon albums. Recently, he worked with Emeli Sande, for her debut album Our Version of Events, co-writing “My Kind of Love.” The single is Top 10 in the UK, while the album has topped UK charts, selling platinum.
After attending Howard University, Rivera began her career working with Q-Tip and his group A Tribe Called Quest, managing outside production activity, and all other day-to-day activities. In 1998, she took on the dual role of A&R Representative and Creative Director for publishing at Bad Boy Entertainment (P.Diddy). In 2001, Rivera took a position at Island Def Jam Music Group as Director of A&R. In 2004, Rivera accepted the position of Director of Creative/A&R at EMI Music Publishing where she signed Rihanna to a publishing deal prior to her international success with her debut album. Since then, Rihanna has sold over 20 million albums and singles.
Having proven her natural talent for seeking out those with a gift for music, Universal Music Publishing Group recruited Ms. Rivera in 2007 and promoted her to Vice President, Creative, Urban Music, East Coast in 2011. Rivera continues to expand the company’s roster, nurturing new talent and working with those who have already achieved multi-platinum success. –mi2n
