Jody Gerson is Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, Universal Music’s global publishing division. With more than three decades of experience, Gerson is one of music’s most respected, accomplished executives and a preeminent creative authority. She is the first female chairman of a global music company and the first woman to be named CEO of a major music publisher.
Since joining UMPG in 2015, Gerson has transformed the company into a billion-dollar business and the industry’s best global home to songwriters. Under her leadership, UMPG dramatically improved its competitive and financial performance, growing its revenue 40%. Gerson has also led the signings and extensions of world-class songwriters including the Bee Gees, Elton John, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Rosalia, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Jack White, SZA, Post Malone, Quavo, Ariana Grande, H.E.R., Harry Styles, Maren Morris and many more.
A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Gerson cofounded and serves on the Board of Directors for She Is The Music, a non-profit championing equality and inclusion for women. She also serves on boards for the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, MusiCares, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and The Archer School for Girls.
In January 2020, Billboard named Gerson ‘Executive of the Year’ for their prestigious Power 100 list – making her the first music publishing executive and first woman to have ever received this honor. Gerson has also been named to numerous prestigious honors, including: Billboard Power 100 for several consecutive years; Billboard 2015 Executive of the Year for their Women In Music issue; Rolling Stone’s ‘Future 25’; Variety’s Power of Women L.A.; 2016 March of Dimes Inspiring Woman of the Year for her accomplishments as a leader in the entertainment industry and as a dedicated mother; and more.
Prior to joining Universal Music, Gerson served as Co-President of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Previous, she was part of the senior management team at EMI Music Publishing, serving as head of the company’s east coast publishing division and then revitalized and lead EMI’s west coast division. Outside of music, Gerson has also served as a producer of the successful films Drumline and ATL and as executive producer for VH1’s Drumline 2.