NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess) — Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has named the label industry legend Troy Tomlinson as Chairman and CEO of its Nashville division.
Tomlinson will join UMPG’s global senior management team with oversight of the music publishers operations in Nashville, including its Tennessee-based royalty operations and Christian division. He will also provide creative input throughout Universal Music Group, UMPG’s parent company.
Tomlinson’s appointment is effective July 15. He will report to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG.
Tomlinson comes to his new gig from rival music publisher Sony/ATV, where he served as President and CEO – Nashville since 2005. During his tenure at Sony/ATV he oversaw the songwriting careers of artists including Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Gary Levox (Rascal Flatts), Brett Eldredge, Jon Pardi, The Band Perry, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jimmie Allen, Cole Swindell, Randy Houser, Charlie Worsham, High Valley, and Chase Rice.
Prior to joining Sony/ATV in 2002, Tomlinson worked at Acuff-Rose Music Publishing where he rose to the position of Executive Vice President. While at Acuff-Rose he worked with songwriters Dean Dillon, Skip Ewing, Jim Weatherly, and Whitey Shafer, among others. During his early years at Acuff Rose, Tomlinson discovered four-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney.
“I’m so excited to join Jody and her exceptional team at UMPG. For me, this is the right time and UMPG is the right place to channel my energy and passion to build something entirely new and dynamic for Nashville’s songwriting community. I’ve long admired Jody even before I had the opportunity to work with her at Sony, and to see what she’s achieved at Universal and the culture she’s created in just the few years since she joined is nothing short of inspiring. To be able to work with her again and contribute to UMPG’s incredible momentum is exciting to say the least,” Tomlinson said about his new role at UMPG.
