UMPG’s KNOEPFLE UPPED TO HEAD OF U.S. A&R

Universal Music Publishing Group EVP Jennifer Knoepfle—one of the publishing sector’s most successful and well-liked executives—has been promoted to head of U.S. A&R. Chairman/CEO Jody Gerson, to whom Knoepfle reports, made the announcement. Knoepfle will continue to be based at UMPG’s Santa Monica headquarters and continue to steer clear of us.

Among her initial moves are the promotions of Daniella Rasho to director of Global A&R and Deeba Abrishamchi to director of U.S. A&R. She’s also brought in Hollie Boston as director of U.S. A&R.

“I am overjoyed to promote Jenn to this much-deserved position as head of U.S. A&R,” Gerson enthused in her official quote. “She embodies everything a creative music executive should be: She possesses the ear to identify the best artists and writers—often early in their careers—and knows how to support, nurture and amplify their talents. Additionally, she is a thoughtful leader and mentor to our A&R team. I couldn’t be more excited to continue working with Jenn for years to come!”

“Every day, I am humbled to work alongside some of the most revered musical talent in the world,” Knoepfle’s quote reads. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to expand my role at UMPG, where I have the privilege of working with one of the very best executives in the business, Jody Gerson. I couldn’t be more excited to take on this new chapter, growing our incredible A&R team and working with them to pursue my greatest passion: discovering and nurturing talent, which remains the lifeblood of our industry.”

Knoepfle, who joined UMPG as EVP and cohead of U.S. A&R in 2022, has signed a diverse array of songwriters, artists and producers to the pubco including Jack Antonoff, Lord Huron, Maggie Rogers and Wallows—each of whom followed Knoepfle to UMPG from her previous tenure at Sony Music Publishing—Mark Ambor, Lucy Dacus, The Dare, Alex G, Danny L Harle, David Kushner, Lorde, Dylan Neustadter, Steve Rusch, Patrick Wimberly and Dan Wilson. She also works closely with artist-writer Gracie Abrams.

Knoepfle spent 13 years at SMP, most recently as SVP of Creative, beginning in 2009. While at Sony, she signed and/or developed such writers as the aforementioned Antonoff, Lord Huron, Rogers and Wallows, as well as Bloodpop, Aaron Dessner, Joel Little, Dan Nigro and Ariel Rechtshaid. Other artists she signed while at the company include Leon Bridges, Noah Kahan, King Princess, Tate McRae, WILLOW and Remi Wolf.

Prior to her years at Sony, Knoepfle served as senior director of membership at ASCAP from 2005 to 2009, bringing The Killers and Greg Kurstin to the PRO.