Jody Gerson
Jody Gerson is Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, Universal Music’s global publishing division. With more than three decades of experience, Gerson is one of music’s most respected, accomplished executives and a preeminent creative authority. She is the first female chairman of a global music company and the first woman to be named CEO of a major music publisher.
Since joining UMPG in 2015, Gerson has transformed the company into a billion-dollar business and the industry’s best global home to songwriters. Under her leadership, UMPG dramatically improved its competitive and financial performance, growing its revenue 76%. Gerson has also led the signings and extensions of world-class songwriters including the company’s historic acquisition of Bob Dylan’s catalog, the Bee Gees, Elton John, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Rosalia, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Jack White, SZA, Post Malone, Quavo, Ariana Grande, H.E.R., Harry Styles, Maren Morris and many more.
A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Gerson cofounded and serves on the Board of Directors for She Is The Music, a nonprofit championing equality and inclusion for women. She also serves on boards for the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and The Archer School for Girls.
Gerson has been named to numerous prestigious honors, including: Billboard’s ‘Executive of the Year’ for the prestigious Power 100 list; Variety Hitmakers Executive of the year; Billboard’s Power 100; Billboard 2015 Executive of the Year for their Women In Music issue; Rolling Stone’s ‘Future 25’; Fast Company’s ‘Most Creative People’; Variety’s Power of Women L.A.; Variety Women’s Impact Report; Variety500 Entertainment Leaders & Icons; 2016 March of Dimes Inspiring Woman of the Year for her accomplishments as a leader in the entertainment industry and as a dedicated mother; and more.
In addition to her work in music, Gerson has served as executive producer of successful films and shows including HBO’s The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, HBO’s Music Box series, Drumline, ATL and VH1’s Drumline 2, among others.
Prior to joining Universal Music, Gerson served as Co-President of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Previous, she was part of the senior management team at EMI Music Publishing, serving as head of the company’s east coast publishing division and then revitalized and lead EMI’s west coast division.
