Knoepfle Joins UMPG As EVP/Co-Head, A&R

• Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has appointed Jennifer Knoepfle as Executive Vice President & Co-Head of US A&R. Based in Los Angeles, Knoepfle will report to UMPG Chairman & CEO Jody Gersonand work closely with UMPG’s Co-Head of US A&R, EVP and Head of Global Creative Group David Gray.

One of the industry’s most successful publishing execs, Knoepfle spent the past 13 years at Sony Music Publishing, most recently serving as SVP, Creative. During her tenure, Knoepfle was responsible for signing and developing songwriters including Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Dan Nigro, Ariel Rechtshaid, Bloodpop, Joel Little and artists including WILLOW, Tate McRae, King Princess, Remi Wolf, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges, Wallows, Salem Ilese, Noah Kahan and Lord Huron. Knoepfle previously served as Sr. Director of membership at ASCAP from 2005-2009.

Gerson commented, “I’m delighted to be reunited with Jennifer and am thrilled she’s joining us at UMPG. She is certainly one of the most gifted and accomplished A&R executives in the industry, and one that understands the qualities required to make a great songwriter, and possesses the instinct of how best to nurture, shape and strengthen that craft. She joins UMPG to lead our A&R team with David Gray, at a truly exciting time, as we further build on UMPG’s global creative strategy, which sets us apart from the industry — nurturing next-generation talent across all territories, supporting music’s biggest superstars, and reinforcing the legacies of songwriting icons.”

Knoepfle said, “I’m excited and grateful to be reunited with Jody Gerson at UMPG, who played an integral role in my development and has served as a mentor since bringing me to Sony in 2009. We are both aligned in our belief in identifying and helping to shape tomorrow’s great talents. I look forward to working with the entire U.S. A&R team to deliver creative success for our writers and artists in the future.”