Carlton Named President of SMACK

• Robert Carlton has been elevated to President of SMACK, effective immediately. As president, Carlton will be an equity partner in the company and take over for Michael McAnally Baum, who joins the ownership team alongside Robin Palmer and founder Shane McAnally.

Carlton has been with SMACK since 2014, and oversees all facets of the company, including its publishing, digital, and management branches. SMACKSongs, the publishing leg, includes songwriters like the multi-GRAMMY-Award winning Shane McAnally and CMA Song of the Year winner Josh Jenkins, as well as more than 20 staff writers who contributed seven No. 1 songs to the genre in 2022 alone.

SMACKManagement includes Walker Hayes, whose smash hit “Fancy Like” topped every Country sales and streaming chart upon release, and gave Hayes his first GRAMMY nomination for “Best Country Song,” and SMACKTok, the digital leg, offers influencer marketing services and focuses on connecting artists directly with their fans through social media platforms. Carlton also manages Shane McAnally, who appeared as a judge on NBC’s Songland, and whose Broadway musical, Shucked, has been nominated for 9 Tony Awards this season.

“From intern to the presidency, Robert Carlton’s steady hand, work ethic, and innate instincts have earned him the top office at SMACK,” says outgoing President, Michael McAnally Baum. “As a visionary who grew up with the company, he has shown how his passion and dedication will lead the team at SMACK into their next chapter of success.”

Carlton commented, “What an honor to be entrusted to lead SMACK. This is an incredible company with the most incredible people, that all started with Shane, Michael, and Robin’s leadership. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to get to learn, both professionally and personally, from each of them. When I started here almost 10 years ago, I knew it was a great opportunity, but I never could’ve dreamed it would be all that it is today. I think our future is brighter than ever!”