Hybe has selected its current Chief Strategy Officer Jason Jaesang Lee as the company’s next CEO. Lee succeeds Jiwon Park, who served as CEO for the past three years.
In a statement, Hybe highlighted Lee’s “vast experience in strategic planning and operations across both domestic and overseas businesses.” The transition has been part of HYBE’s ongoing leadership initiative since the start of 2024.
Since joining Hybe (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) in 2018, Lee has helped shape business strategy and investments, holding key positions including chief innovation and growth officer, chief strategy officer, chief operating officer of Hybe America, and president of Hybe America.
Park will continue to contribute to the company’s growth strategy, by leveraging his expertise in the intersection of entertainment and technology.
+ Steven Gringer has been promoted to vice president of A&R for Pulse Music Group. Gringer was previously VP for Pulse Music Group.
Gringer is based at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters and reports to Ashley, president of Pulse Music Group. His responsibilities include signing and developing songwriters and producers and helping to oversee international creative affairs for its publishing division.
“What makes Steven really incredible as an A&R executive is his deft ability to work across genres, creating pop, latin, hip-hop and international opportunities for our roster of songwriters and producers,” said Co-CEOs Scott Cutler, Josh Abraham, and Calhoun. “As we continue to take the careers of our clients to the next level, Steven’s work over the past 10 years at Pulse Music Group has been an instrumental part of this success. We are delighted to recognize Steven’s work with this well-deserved promotion as he continues to grow his career at Pulse Music Group.”
Gringer has contributed significantly to the development of the company’s latin, pop, hip-hop and international roster, and is also currently working to expand the company’s focus with big names in the K Pop world.
+ BMG elevates Jen Morgan to VP, global content and creative in which she will be entrusted with the creative vision and execution of content creation initiatives for BMG artists.
Christopher Ludwig, BMG’s senior VP global digital partnerships and strategy, said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Jen and her global team to our centralized Marketing Organization. It feels like two teams finally come together just as it was always meant to be. I’m very excited about the innovative and inspiring contributions Jen and her team will bring to the Global Marketing and DSP Sales Teams to propel our Frontline and Catalogue campaigns to great success.”
Morgan’s job duties also include the development and execution of comprehensive marketing and sales content strategies aligned with BMG’s artist roster and global objectives, including artwork creation, social media content, advertising content, DSP content and other multimedia initiatives.
+ Kobalt has elevated Bob Bruderman to the newly created position of chief digital officer at the company. In his new role, Bruderman will continue to lead overall global digital strategy for Kobalt, including commercial partnerships with companies such as Amazon, Apple, Meta, Pandora, Snap, Soundcloud, Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube, among others.
He will work with a broad range of emerging digital partners, driving new monetization opportunities across the business. Bruderman also works with various industry groups to ensure the intellectual property interests of songwriters and artists are protected around the world.
“Bob has been a key member of the Kobalt executive team for over a decade,” said Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt Music Group. “He has made innumerable contributions to our business as a strategist, negotiator and leader, and is respected for his ability to both fiercely advocate for songwriters and music publishers’ rights within the larger industry, while strongly supporting our digital partners’ ability to innovate and continue to bring new products, features, and services to market, expanding music offerings for fans around the world. I am pleased to be able to elevate him to this important new role.”
Bruderman joined Kobalt in 2013 and most recently served as executive VP, global digital business at the company. During his tenure at Kobalt, he also oversaw digital business development & licensing for the recorded music services company, AWAL, which was acquired by Sony Music Entertainment in 2021.
Monday, July 22
All Within My Hands, the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, is expanding its Metallica Scholars Initiative across the United States.
A total of 18 new schools join the roster of existing MSI community colleges, with each new school receiving $75,000 to enhance the student experience within career and technical education programs. The Metallica Scholars Initiative now has a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 states and the territory of Guam.
The band has simultaneously announced the return of its Helping Hands Concert and Auction, which benefits the band’s All Within My Hands foundation. The one-night event will take place on Dec. 13 at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Metallica will perform alongside an unannounced lineup of artists.
“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me,” said Metallica’s James Hetfield. “A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills. Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I am so proud – we all are – to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s great that we’re able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce. We are reaching even further for year six of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This year, our program will be in 60 schools in all 50 states! All thanks to your support.”
Click here to see a complete list of Metallica Scholar Colleges.
+ BMG Nashville has launched a joint venture with Triple Play Music, owned by Jason Aldean with bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy. Triple Play’s songwriter roster includes John Edwards, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville/Night Train Records’ John Morgan and new signee and songwriter Neil Thrasher.
“Jason, Kurt, and Tully are BBR Music Group/ BMG family. We are thrilled to partner with Triple Play and welcome Neil Thrasher. It is amazing to watch the creative energy between these long-time friends. The talent is unmatched, and we are proud to be on this journey with them,” said creative director of BMG, Amy Hendon Scott.
+ Tunespotter has acquired What-song.com, a search engine built to filter through a collection of movies, TV show soundtracks, and playlists on the internet.
What-song.com lets viewers search for and discover songs from movies and TV shows. Tunespotter captures global trends and highlights, which What-song.com will utilize to transfrom its playlists and descriptions.
Tom Andrew, founder of What-song.com, said in a statement: “I couldn’t be happier about Tunespotter acquiring What-song.com,” says Andrew. “It’s a perfect match at a pertinent time when the search and discovery market is becoming more prolific. The database we’ve established gives Tunespotter an immediate aggregator and audience. Their ability to empower the user journey with their incredible visual tool chest and social app capabilities extends our reach and consolidates our strengths, positively impacting consumers with more rewarding, long form engagement. The Tunespotter team and the resources the partnership brings will finally allow What-song.com to fulfill its potential.”
An experiential marketplace that is growing faster than ever.
+ A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc), the not-for-profit trade organization representing over 600 independent record labels, has today announced its 2024-2025 Board of Directors, as well as its new Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members.
Leading the Executive Committee is Mary Jurey, chief business officer at Blue Élan Records, as chair; Tony Alexander, co-Founder and president of Made in Memphis Entertainment, as treasurer; Nabil Ayers, president of Beggars Group, as secretary.
This upcoming year’s newly elected board members are Steven Hill, head of North American and global marketing at Warp Records, Terry McBride, CEO of Nettwerk Music Group, and Louis Posen, founder and president of Hopeless Records.
Along with being voted to the executive committee, Mary Jurey, Tony Alexander, and Nabil Ayers are returning board members, along with Dee Diaz, senior VP marketing and digital at Reach Records, Wilson Fuller of Merge Records, Tony Kiewel, president of Sub Pop Records, Hays Rudolph, general counsel and VP of business and legal affairs at Secretly Group, and Zena White, COO of Partisan Records.
Furthermore, A2IM welcomes a new slate of industry professionals to its Advisory Board, including Glen Barros, managing partner at Exceleration Music Partners, Kristin Epstein, operations director of Screenwave Media, Jana Herzen, president of Motéma Music, and Jason Peterson, chairman and CEO of GoDigital Music Group.
+ Reservoir Media has announced a new publishing deal with singer-songwriter Wrabel. The deal includes his future works.
Wrabel began his career co-writing songs by pop and rock artists such as Teddy Swims, Kesha, Pink, Ellie Goulding, Adam Lambert, and Phillip Phillips, as well as EDM artists Kygo and Marshmello, among others.
After years of releasing singles and writing for others, Wrabel dropped his own debut album, “these words are all for you,” in 2021. He has since released his sophomore album, “based on a true story,” with plans for an upcoming third album expected in 2025. In the meantime, Wrabel continues to write for a diverse set of artists with new cuts this year.
