Universal South, the recently-formed joint venture between Tony Brown, Tim DuBois, and Universal Records, has appointed Bryan Switzer to SVP of Promotion. Based in Nashville, Switzer will develop and implement extensive radio promotional campaigns for such artists as Allison Moorer, Dean Miller, Bering Strait, and Holly Lamar.
“We’re thrilled to have someone with Bryan’s experience, knowledge, and passion joining Universal South’s senior management team,” stated Brown. “He has a proven track record in working with and developing the careers of artists, and we are looking forward to his immediate contributions.”
“When you combine Bryan’s extensive background in the record business with his success in promotion and the key relationships he already possesses, you have one very gifted and effective executive,” commented DuBois. “We are all pleased to welcome him to the Universal South family.”
“I’m grateful to Tony and Tim for this wonderful opportunity,” added Switzer. “Having been part of a successful start up before, I know how gratifying it can be and to be able to do it alongside a roster and staff that are the best in the business is rare.”
From the time of its opening, Switzer spent ten years at Atlantic Records Nashville in a variety of positions, starting out as Regional Manager of Promotion, then most recently, as vice president/general manager. During this time, Switzer oversaw all operations, including finance, sales, product development, personnel and record promotion. His involvement in individual albums often began at the A&R level and continued through album art, trade ads, retail merchandising and video production. Through this hands-on approach, Switzer helped develop the careers of such Gold and multi-Platinum-selling artists as John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence, Confederate Railroad, and Neal McCoy, which brought the famed Nashville division an 11 percent market share. In fact, under Switzer’s direction, Atlantic’s promotion department was celebrated for setting the industry’s record for the Most Added debut single (127-first week adds) by a new artist (Tracy Lawrence). During Switzer’s tenure, he and his promotion team went on to score ten #1 singles (and seven top-5 singles) on John Michael Montgomery, pushing him to more than 13 million in sales as well as posting an impressive 17 #1 singles on Tracy Lawrence.
