Universal Music Publishing Group exec Jessica Rivera has been promoted to executive VP/head of East Coast operations.
In this new post, Rivera will be tasked with leading the expansion of the New York creative team — the company says in a statement — and to continue to develop, nurture and sign talent.
She reports to Jody Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO, and to Evan Lamberg, UMPG president – North America.
“I’m very pleased to promote Jessica to this new role which will bring even more to the team and our songwriters,” comments Gerson in a statement. “Evan has supported and mentored Jessica and she’s developed into a dynamic creative executive. Having known her many years, she has consistently impressed me by her instincts and leadership skills, and I’m thrilled to finally be on the same team with her at this company.”
Add Lamberg: “Jessica has done a wonderful job developing into one of the very best creative executives in our industry. The value she adds to songwriters, and her proven hit track record of identifying and developing talent, is a real competitive advantage for Universal Music Publishing. I am very proud of all she is doing.”
Rivera has signed such multi-platinum songwriters and artists as Alex Da Kid (including his KidInaKorner Publishing JV which houses multi-platinum band Imagine Dragons), Pop Wansel, DJ Khalil, Emile Haynie, Phil Lawrence of The Smeezingtons, and Jeremih.
Prior to joining UMPG, she served as director of A&R, East Coast at EMI Publishing, where she signed Rihanna before the recording of her first album with Island Def Jam. Before that, Rivera worked in A&R at Def Jam Records and Bad Boy Records.
