Island Def Jam Music Group President and CEO Lyor Cohen today announced the promotion of Julie Greenwald to President of Island Records. Greenwald had until this appointment served as Senior Vice President of marketing for The Island Def Jam Music Group.
Also as part of this announcement, Cohen has named Greenwald and Def Jam/Def Soul Records President Kevin Liles to the additional positions of Executive Vice Presidents of The Island Def Jam Music Group.
As President of Island, Greenwald will oversee all aspects of the label, which serves as the rock and pop division of The Island Def Jam Music Group. She brings more than a decade of management, operations and marketing experience. As one of the first executives to join Def Jam Records little more than 10 years ago, Greenwald is credited with establishing the seminal label’s award-winning marketing department and building a first-class team.
In making the announcement, Cohen said, “Julie has been a member of my team since the beginning of the Def Jam legacy, and in that time, both Russell Simmons and I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into one of the industry’s most formidable music executives. She is a world-class marketer and developer of talent, and has written the rules for marketing in this industry. She is exceptionally gifted, excelling in both her creative instincts and extensive industry-wide relationships. Her well rounded understanding of the creative process is stellar, and she is an extraordinary problem solver and resourceful thinker. Moreover, naming both Julie and Kevin to the post of Executive Vice President not only underscores the breadth and depth of our management talent and commitment to building The Island Def Jam Music Group, but clearly acknowledges the critical importance they continue to play in the senior management of this company.”
Greenwald added, “I’m truly grateful to Lyor for giving me the honor and challenge to lead Island Records, a label that is home to such dynamic talent and a rich history. Having worked closely with him over the past 10 years, I have experienced first hand the incredible level of quality and excellence that he has established. I’m also thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working closely with the many of the most talented A&R, promotion and marketing people in the entire industry.”
