PROMO GENEALOGY:
BRENDA ROMANO

We're breaking out today's top promo people and serving up a few choice words on their history as we trace the Promotion Family Tree. You can read Lenny Beer's entire overview here. But now let's a look at Interscope promotion boss Brenda Romano.

Obviously the dean of promotion giants, Brenda, now President of Promotion, has held the top promo position at Interscope since very early in the company’s history, having taken the reins after the exit of Marc Benesch. However, it was really in her formative years under John Bettencourt, Phil Quartararo and David Leach during tenures at Mercury, RCA and Island that Brenda truly earned her wings. Then, barrister extraordinaire Peter Paterno, who had switched to the label side, brought her to Hollywood to serve as Head of Promotion; when Peter exited the company, Benesch seized the moment and enticed her over to the House That Jimmy Built. I would credit the tenacity of her leadership to watching the frenetic and charismatic Phil Q and Bettencourt. Mr. Benesch, a great friend but a troubled Vietnam vet who died young, connected one-on-one with Dr. Dre, Suge Knight and the rap giants who built Interscope. When he chose to leave the label, Brenda was immediately named his successor, and has guided major campaigns for the industry giant through the years. I’ve watched closely as they piled up the wins.

Back in the day, Brenda, Peter Paterno and pals savor the Canadian magic that is Mitsou.