Alissa Pollack, executive vice president of global music marketing for iHeartMedia, will succeed Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group, as the new president of the City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) fundraising group.
With Lamberg transitioning to board chair, Pollack will aid the MFEI group in its long-term mission of funding cancer and other life-threatening illness research and treatment organizations in the United States. City of Hope’s MFEI also has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry.
“It’s been an honor for the last five years to serve as president of City of Hope’s MFEI,” Lamberg said. “In giving some deep thought into who should succeed me and step into this role, and after speaking with numerous MFEI board members, it was unanimous that we could not think of a better person than longtime MFEI board member, Alissa Pollack.”
Pollack has supported City of Hope with more than a decade of leadership of Taste of Hope, an annual wine tasting held in New York City that, according to a press release, has raised more than $5 million for City of Hope.
“I’m deeply honored to step into this expanded role at MFEI, building upon the remarkable foundation
laid by Evan,” Pollack said. “His visionary leadership as president has propelled City of Hope’s mission forward, harnessing the power of music and entertainment to drive groundbreaking cancer research. Evan’s legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and relentless dedication to our shared goal: a world without cancer. I am inspired by his incredible work and committed to carrying forward his legacy as we strive toward a future where cancer is eradicated for all.”
At iHeartMedia, Pollack works closely with brands and artists to provide custom data insights to inform their events, social media programs and advertising.
+ Pulse Records has appointed A&R exec Tim Glover to the role of president of A&R as announced today by Pulse Music Group co-CEOs Josh Abraham and Scott Cutler and Pulse Music Group President, Ashley Calhoun.
Glover, formerly executive VP of A&R for Interscope Geffen A&M, will sign and develop artists as well as oversee recording projects for Pulse Records. Glover will report jointly to Abraham, Cutler and Calhoun and will be based in the company’s offices in Silverlake, CA.
Glover worked as the point person with J. Cole and artists on the rapper’s Dreamville imprint which includes artists like JID and Ari Lennox, among others. He also oversaw A&R for the Atlanta-based record label and creative agency LVRN, which entered a joint venture with Interscope in 2016.
Glover helped develop LVRN artists Summer Walker and 6LACK, amongst others on the label. Glover also signed and oversaw platinum-selling rapper Lil Mosey, Tierra Whack and rising star, Jordan Ward.
+ SG Lewis has launched a “club-centric” imprint Forever Days to empower “music made strictly for the dance floor.”
“For a long time now, I have wanted to create an outlet for the club-focused music I am constantly creating and a place to champion music by artists that I love,” Lewis wrote in a heartfelt announcement post on Instagram.
SG Lewis will be hosting a monthly Forever Days Radio mix series where he will showcase talent from friends of the label as well as a series of Forever Days-themed parties around the world, curating lineups with some of the world’s finest selectors. Aiming to throw the kinds of shows that leave a lasting impression, the series will kick off at Koko in London on May 3.
+ Position Music has acquired the publishing catalog of the multi-platinum French artist, DJ, and producer Gesaffelstein. In the agreement, Position Music will own and administer the publishing rights of the catalog (before his Sony Music Publishing deal), giving Position Music publishing rights to 2013’s “Aleph.”
In addition to the publishing catalog acquisition, the deal also includes Gesaffelstein’s writer, artist, and producer royalties of his entire catalog. Gesaffelstein retains his future royalties and is currently signed to Sony Music Publishing and Columbia Records.
The distribution for the label will happen via Astralwerks in the U.S. and EMI in the U.K. All other releases will be distributed through Virgin Records. The deal was brokered by Jimmy Mikaoui of Mil3s Entertainment and Benji Vermeil of Jab Music. Attorneys Tim Mandelbaum and Cynthia Katz of Fox Rothschild represented Position Music. David Jacobs and Ted Harris of Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks represented Levy.
+ Singer-songwriter Evan Bartels has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM).
Said Bartels, “I’m honored to see my name and work added to a roster of the best songwriters in the world. Rich Robinson and the entire sync team are some of the most creative and visionary people I’ve met and being able to work in tandem with BJ Hill in Nashville, is one of the greatest opportunities a songwriter could hope for. I’m excited to work with a passionate, driven team that’s dedicated to fostering great songs.”
+ Wasserman Music has announced the addition of four accomplished executives to its worldwide agent team.
Josh Dick joins Wasserman Music as a VP based in New York; Jonathan Insogna joins as a VP based in Nashville; Rebecca Prochnik joins as a director based in London; and Shay Royale joins as a director based in New York.
“We are excited to welcome Josh, Jonathan, Rebecca, and Shay to our growing global team of outstanding agents and career strategists,” said Lee Anderson, executive VP and managing executive of Wasserman Music. “Their unique backgrounds and experience will help to drive Wasserman Music’s accelerating growth across global territories, emerging genres, and innovative new ways to serve our valued clients around the world.”
+ Downtown Music Publishing (DMP) has signed global music publishing agreements with Boombass and Étienne de Crécy.
A notable producer and one-half of the duo, Cassius, Boombass will benefit from Downtown Music Publishing’s global administrative and sync services across the producer’s past and future catalog, as well as Boombass’ publishing efforts across the Cassius catalog. The deal will also include the single “I <3 U SO” which was famously sampled by Jay Z and Kanye West in their hit single, “Why I love You” on 2011’s “Watch The Throne.”
Acclaimed DJ and producer de Crécy will also receive global administration and sync placement from Downtown. The deal will include de Crécy’s back catalog and all future releases, including “Super Discount” and “Tempovision” released in 2001 and the 2009 follow-up to his debut solo album, “Super Discount 2.”
+ The Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) will present its annual “A Great Night in Harlem” gala concert on March 28. Proceeds from the event benefit the JFA’s programs, which provide housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief, meaningful work, and direct financial support to musicians and their families in times of crisis.
JFA’s annual “A Great Night in Harlem” will be held at the Apollo Theater, featuring a night of jazz, blues and rock at the helm of Bobby Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, and JFA Musical Director, Steve Jordan. Additionally, there will be a performance by the pioneers of Afrofuturism, the Sun Ra Arkestra, directed by 99-year-old Marshall Allen.
The gala will also feature a Max Roach Centennial Tribute led by trumpeter/composer Charles Tolliver and featuring fellow all-stars Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Harper, George Cables, and Rufus Reid. The segment will include three masters of the drums—Al Foster, Billy Hart, and Louis Hayes—who will be honored as Titans of Jazz.
The night will culminate with a special honor presented to JFA Chairman Emeritus Richard D. Parsons with JFA’s Dr. Billy Taylor Humanitarian Award for his leadership and service to JFA and musicians nationwide.
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Universal Music Group has acquired a 25.8% interest in Chord Music Partners — whose portfolio includes music from the Weeknd, Ellie Goulding, John Legend, Kid Cudi and more — for $240 million.
Chord, which was formed in 2021 by KKR and Dundee Partners, will work with UMG and Dundee as part of a long-term partnership where UMG will handle distribution and publishing administration for Chord’s existing catalog through Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and UMG’s Virgin Music Group (VMG).
“Finding partners who share our passion for identifying iconic songs and recordings that will stand the test of time and deliver long-term growth is essential, which is why we’re so pleased to be working with Stephen and Sam Hendel and Dundee Partners,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of UMG, in a statement. “With the leadership of Jody Gerson at UMPG, Nat Pastor and JT Myers at Virgin, and the support of our experienced creative executives around the world, no one can do more with music rights than our teams. We look forward to creating maximum commercial and creative value for the songwriters and artists in Chordand building for the future.”
As part of the deal, KKR will sell its majority stake in Chord to Dundee, increasing Dundee’s share to 74.2% with UMG holding the remaining minority stake.
+ Music attorney Erica Bellarosa has been promoted to head of business affairs and general counsel for Atlantic Records.
Bellarosa, a 19-year veteran of Atlantic, is set to lead the label’s business and legal affairs and contract administration departments. Bellarosa started her career at Atlantic Records in 2005 as associate director of business and legal affairs, rising through the ranks to her most recent post as executive vice president of business and legal affairs.
Based in Atlantic’s New York headquarters, Bellarosa reports to Atlantic’s chairmen and CEOs, Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman.
Pictured above: Erica Bellarosa (Courtesy of Atlantic Records).
+ International advocacy organization Global Citizen has announced the first international edition of its Global Citizen NOW conference in Melbourne, Australia.
Set for March 4, the event will bring together more than 300 young leaders with world leaders, including World Bank President Ajay Banga and former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Celebrities, including Global Citizen ambassadors Hugh Jackman and Charlie Puth, as well as rock band Crowded House, will also make appearances.