Baldwin Alum Named Chairman, CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group

The following was provided to Patch by The Baldwin School:

The next Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group is not only the first woman to lead a major music publishing company, she’s a Baldwin alumna. Jody Gerson, current co-president of Sony/ATV Publishing and member of The Baldwin School’s graduating class of 1979 will assume her new role as Chairman and CEO on Jan. 1, 2015.

“Baldwin gave me the foundation to believe that I could be accomplished in a career,” Gerson said, praising her Baldwin teachers, especially former Head of Art Ruth Fackenthal for having a tremendous influence on her life.

After graduation, she earned a B.A. in Communications from Northwestern University in Chicago and got her first job in an entry-level position with Chappell Music (now Warner/Chappell Music) xeroxing lyric sheets and maintaining its vast library of sheet music. At night, she would stay late to listen to the new songs coming in from songwriters and try to figure out which artists could record them. She eventually got a job in Chappell’s A&R department.

Gerson has been in her current position at Sony/ATV Music Publishing since 2008 and is responsible for signing some of the most successful artists in the world, including Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Magic! frontman Nasri Atweh. She has also been instrumental in the careers of several artists, including Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Pitbull and Pharrell Williams.

In making the announcement, UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge said, “Jody Gerson is simply one of the best music publishers in the business, and we are thrilled that she will be bringing her creativity, savvy and vast experience to UMPG. Jody represents a new breed of music industry leadership, with a keen understanding of the evolving role of music publishers in the digital era and a track record of artist successes that places her among all-time greats. I’m excited for what we will accomplish together.”