Def Jam Restructures: Shealey & Sandiford Upped
In his newly expanded role, Shealey (left) will work closely with Def Jam’s artists, managers and partners to design and execute strategies across all platforms. He will now oversee Def Jam’s marketing department while continuing to run its Urban promotion division. At the same time, Ms. Sandiford (right) will now head Def Jam’s growing commerce and digital marketing initiatives.
Both are based in New York and report to Paul Rosenberg, Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings, who commented, “Rodney and Theda are seasoned, veteran leaders who have earned the respect of their colleagues throughout Def Jam, UMG, and the industry at large. They represent the forward vanguard of imaginative executives whose task it will be to develop global success for our outstanding roster of artists.”
Ms. Sandiford entered the UMG commerce sector in 2016 as VP, Commercial Partnerships, and last year was promoted to SVP, International Commerce & Digital Marketing. Prior to UMG, she spent four years as VP, Digital Marketing & Sales at Republic Records. In 1999 she served as Sr. Director, New Media, at the former Island Def Jam Music Group. She followed that with positions at American Greetings Mobile, Rush Communications, her own Theda Dotcom LLC, and Heatwave Interactive, before joining Republic in 2012. Ms. Sandiford’s early New York music industry background includes positions at WBLS &WLIB, WYNY and Billboard. “Returning to lead the commerce and digital teams at Def Jam where I started my label career in single sales takes my career full-circle,” said Sandiford. “It’s an honor and pleasure to represent the brand and the next generation of hip-hop cultural purveyors.”