Tomlinson Named Chairman/CEO Of UMPG/Nashville
• Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has named Troy Tomlinson as the first-ever Chairman and CEO of its Nashville division.
Tomlinson (left) joins UMPG from Sony/ATV Music Publishing, where he has served as that company’s President and CEO — Nashville since 2005. He starts his new adventure on July 15 and will report to UMPG Chairman & CEO Jody Gerson, who said, “Troy’s track record in Nashville is the stuff of legend. He is simply one of the best and most successful creative executives the Nashville publishing community has ever seen. And having worked closely with him during my time at Sony, I know firsthand of his ability to take a promising songwriter with a song and turn them into a career artist. I’m thrilled to have him join UMPG’s senior management team and accelerate our transformation into the most progressive and effective partner to songwriters anywhere.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group said, “When it comes to identifying great songs, songwriters and artists, Troy is one of Nashville’s finest. I’m looking forward to him joining us at this pivotal time as we continue to build a home for songwriters like no other, one focused on long term careers and creating global opportunities.”
Tomlinson remarked, “I’m so excited to join Jody and her exceptional team at UMPG. For me, this is the right time and UMPG is the right place to channel my energy and passion to build something entirely new and dynamic for Nashville’s songwriting community. I’ve long admired Jody even before I had the opportunity to work with her at Sony, and to see what she’s achieved at Universal and the culture she’s created in just the few years since she joined is nothing short of inspiring. To be able to work with her again and contribute to UMPG’s incredible momentum is exciting to say the least.”
Tomlinson joined Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2002 as VP of Creative, rising to President & CEO in 2005. During his tenure he has overseen the songwriting careers of artists like Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Gary Levox (Rascal Flatts), Brett Eldredge, Jon Pardi, The Band Perry and others. Prior to joining Sony/ATV, Tomlinson worked at Acuff-Rose Music Publishing where he rose to EVP and discovered Kenny Chesney. Before Acuff-Rose, Tomlinson ran the Nashville division of Fame Music Group.
