Label Love (Media Dept.)
• Courtni Asbury has been promoted to Vice President, Media and Artist Relations for Def Jam Recordings. Based in Santa Monica, CA, Ms. Asbury will continue to oversee media activities for Def Jam’s roster and have exclusive oversight for Def Jam’s publicity activities on the West Coast. Asbury reports to Gabe Tesoriero, EVP, Media and Artist Relations, who said, “Courtni is one of the brightest, most energetic people I know. Over our many years working together, Courtni has shown through her tenacity, positivity, tireless energy and relentless drive that she is a leading young executive in our industry. She shows up and proves it every day and our artists love her for it; it’s extremely rare to see the fierce loyalty and admiration Courtni inspires in both artists and colleagues. It’s an honor and a personal delight to congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion.”
Asbury began her career in 2006 as Publicity Coordinator at Island Def Jam Music Group in New York. She later relocated to Los Angeles to work for ID Public Relations and returned to Def Jam Recordings in 2012 as Director, Media and Artist Relations; she was upped to Sr. Director in 2015. “Def Jam is an iconic label and an important cultural brand, and it’s been a huge part of my life and my personal development for over ten years,” said Asbury. “Our amazing artists and our dedicated, passionate executive team are second to none. I’m extremely grateful to Gabe and to Steve Bartels for all of their support and mentorship, and I’m looking forward to meeting the new challenges and seizing the great opportunities that lie ahead.”
• Sony Music Nashville has promoted Mary Catherine Kinney to Associate Director, Media. Fount Lynch, VP of Media for Sony Music Nashville, said of Kinney, “Her excitement, vision and tireless effort have proven invaluable to our Sony Music Nashville artist roster and media/marketing team.” He continued, “Mary Catherine’s expertise in the media campaigns and rollout of artists such as Maren Morris and Luke Combs among others are just a few examples of her many important contributions to our label group.”
Kinney began her public relations career at Georgia-based firm See.Spark.Go. Upon moving to Nashville in 2011, Kinney joined Capitol Records, later merging with Universal Music Group, where she held roles in the marketing department and media department through fall of 2015, when she joined Sony Music Nashville’s media department as Manager. Kinney commented, “It’s an honor to be a part of Sony Nashville’s dynamic team where innovation, growth and creativity are foundations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to propel our incredible artists’ music and stories forward in this new role.” Kinney can be congratulated at marycatherine.kinney@sonymusic.com.
