NAFTALY NAMED TO TOP SONY MUSIC A&R SLOT

One-time KMEL S.F. programmer Keith Naftaly has been named Senior Vice President A&R for Sony Music Label Group U.S. by President/CEO Don Ienner, to whom he reports.

Naftaly will maintain offices in both N.Y. and L.A., working closely with Ienner, as well as with Columbia Records Group President Will Botwin and Epic Records President Steve Barnett, on A&R and artist development issues and teaching them the latest club dance steps.

Commented Ienner: "From his broad-based experience in radio to his many A&R successes,
Keith has a unique understanding of the business. He's a first-class music executive with great instincts, and a long track record of bringing out the best in the artists he works with, regardless of genre. I look forward to working closely with him on a wide range of projects, including helping me pick out my wardrobe for the weekly A&R meeting."

Added COO Michele Anthony: "Keith is a consummate A&R professional, with a great set of ears and a genuine talent for matching the right artist with the right song. I know that his creativity and passion will be important resources as we continue to grow and develop the Label Group's artist rosters. And he gets me into the best clubs without waiting on line."

Most recently Mr. Naftaly served on the Executive A&R staff of DreamWorks Records since 2003, working with such artists as Q-Tip, as well as on soundtracks for films such as Shrek 2 and Shark Tale.

Prior to that, he was SVP A&R for J Records, where he put his creative stamp on Luther Vandross' Grammy-winning Dance With My Father, among others. He was also VP A&R for Arista Records.

He began his career in radio working for S.F.'s KFRC while still in high school. He became Music Director of KMEL in 1984, and was named as the station's PD in 1987. During his tenure with the station, KMEL gained a reputation as one of the most musically progressive and socially conscious stations in the country.

In 1992 he was honored at the New Music Seminar with the Joel Webber Lifetime Achievement Award for innovations in music. In 1993 he was appointed VP Programming for KMEL's sister station, KKBT/The Beat, in L.A., achieving the highest ratings in its history.