ELLIS TAKES REINS
OF SONY URBAN MUSIC

Sony Urban Music’s playing the name game, except it’s Lisa Ellis, not Shirley, who is named to the newly created position of General Manager of the division by Sony Music U.S. President Don Ienner, to whom she reports.

In this new role, Ms. Ellis will work closely with Ienner in overseeing the operations of Sony Urban Music. She will also work with the company's U.S. labels and divisions, including the Columbia Records Group and Epic Records, on matters relating to Urban music. In addition, she’ll oversee the transition from sushi to wienerschnitzel in the office dining room.

As part of the move, Executive VP Urban Music David McPherson has stepped down from his post.

Ienner praised Ellis’ leadership abilities: "I have known Lisa and worked closely with her in her various roles for nearly a decade now, and she has always demonstrated a clear understanding of the marketplace, coming up with forward-thinking initiatives that further the creative and commercial goals of our artists. She brings to this new position a superb track record, and I couldn't be more confident that she is the right person to help further expand our presence in Urban Music. And her dramatic reading of exerpts from the Walter Yetnikoff book at the weekly marketing meeting brought down the house."

Added Ellis: "Over the years, Sony Music has made major contributions to the growth and development of Urban music and it's a genuine honor to have been asked to help lead Sony Urban Music as we build on that long and impressive legacy. I look forward to working with Don Ienner, and with the individual label teams, as we continue to identify and nurture the very best new artists, and bring our roster of established artists to new levels of success. Now when do I get my big-screen Wega?"

Ms. Ellis was most recently Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Music Licensing, Sony Music, since 2003. Prior to that, she served as Sr. VP R&B/Rhythm-Crossover Promotion as well as VP National Promotion (West Coast) and VP Crossover Promotion for Columbia Records. She joined the label in 1995 as a Local Promotion Manager and was named National Director, Crossover Promotion in 1998.