Kaso Named SVP/Rock For Atlantic & Elektra
• Elektra VP of Rock Promotion Phil Kaso has been elevated to Senior Vice President of Rock Promotion for Atlantic Records/Elektra Music Group, expanding his current duties to lead promotion strategy and campaigns for both Atlantic’s and Elektra’s rock rosters. The individual labels’ regional promotion staffs will continue to work their respective artists, under Kaso’s direction. Based at Warner Music Group’s New York HQ, Kaso now reports jointly to Andrea Ganis, President of Promotion for Atlantic Records, and Greg Dorfman, Executive Vice President, Promotion for Elektra Music Group.
Kaso’s appointment follows the recent retirement of renowned veteran rock promotion executive Lea Pisacane after 34 years at Atlantic. “Lea Pisacane is beyond extraordinary on so many levels — clearly a total legend in rock promotion and a brilliant, vibrant, charismatic person to boot,” said Ganis. “We’ve been together for over three decades, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness her strategically put all our artists on the map to thrive and succeed. A 34-year run is remarkable in any business, but particularly in ours, which has sustained so many changes — it’s a tribute to Lea that she’s flourished consistently, and to say she will be missed is a vast understatement. She leaves very big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, it’s Phil. From his two decades at Roadrunner to his latest Elektra post, he’s been a passionate and dedicated rock champion, driven by a true fan’s enthusiasm. We’re excited that Atlantic will now also benefit from his unmatched expertise.”
Dorfman remarked, “Phil is one of the greatest promo people in the business. His devotion to our artists and their music is total and tireless. He’s done tremendous work with Slipknot, Trivium, Motionless In White, Theory of a Deadman, and countless others. Phil is deeply respected and admired by everyone across the rock music community, and we’re very happy that he’s now taking on this much-deserved role at both Elektra and our sister company, Atlantic.”
Kaso has spent much of his career with Warner Music Group, after starting in the industry as National Promotion Coordinator at RCA Records. In 1999, he joined Roadrunner Records as Northeast Regional Promotion Director and spent the next two decades rising up the ranks. Last year, Kaso was named VP of Rock Promotion for Elektra Music Group, which includes Roadrunner, Fueled By Ramen, and other subsidiary labels.
“When I first started at Roadrunner many years ago as a regional promo guy, I couldn’t have imagined that one day I’d be heading the rock force at two of the most iconic labels in history, Atlantic and Elektra,” said Kaso. “Lea is a legend, and it will be tough to follow in her footsteps, but she leaves behind one of the greatest rock rosters in the business. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone at Atlantic, while still working with my beloved team at Elektra. A huge thank you to Andrea and Greg for this dream opportunity.” [Kaso photo credit: Tara Frank]
