Jody Gerson To Receive The Abe Olman Publisher Award

Previously announced inductees include * Mariah Carey * Annie Lennox / Dave Stewart p/k/a Eurythmics * Ernie Isley / Marvin Isley / O’Kelly Isley / Ronald Isley / Rudolph Isley / Chris Jasper p/k/a The Isley Brothers * Steve Miller * Pharrell Williams / Chad Hugo p/k/a The Neptunes * Rick Nowels * William “Mickey” Stevenson

Paul Williams To Receive Prestigious Johnny Mercer Award


New York, NY - March 9, 2020 - Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson will be the 2020 recipient of the esteemed Abe Olman Publisher Award at the 51st Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner. The event is slated for Thursday, June 11th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
 
The Abe Olman Publisher Award, named after one of the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s founders, goes to a music publisher who has had a substantial number of songs that have become world-renowned and has furthered the careers and successes of a great number of songwriters. Past Abe Olman Publisher Awardees have included Caroline Bienstock, Milt Okun, Martin Bandier, Irwin Robinson, Freddy Bienstock, Lance Freed, Ralph Peer and Beebe Bourne.

Commenting on the award to Gerson, SHOF President & CEO Linda Moran said, “Jody Gerson is one of the most innovative and creative music publishers in contemporary music publishing today. She combines a strong A&R and creative progressive path with tremendous business savvy. Add in her strong alliances with and her mentoring and nurturing of songwriters and artists of all genres, whether they be new to the business or high-profile names, as well as her continuing to break through barriers, there is no doubt that Jody will be a dominant force in our business for as long as she wants. It is a great honor for the SHOF to celebrate the indomitable Jody Gerson."

As the Chairman and CEO of Universal Music’s global publishing division and with more than three decades of experience, Jody 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 nonprofit 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. Previously, 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

Read the article covering this announcement in Billboard here!
 
Inductees at this year’s event include Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox / Dave Stewart p/k/a Eurythmics, Ernie Isley / Marvin Isley / O’Kelly Isley / Ronald Isley / Rudolph Isley / Chris Jasper p/k/a The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller, Pharrell Williams / Chad Hugo p/k/a The Neptunes, Rick Nowels and William “Mickey” Stevenson. Master songwriter Paul Williams will be receiving the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award.

Ticket Information: 
Tickets for the Songwriters Hall of Fame event begin at $1,750 each, and are available through Buckley Hall Events, 914-579-1000. Net proceeds from the event will go toward the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs.  Songwriters Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 organization.  The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $180. Contributions, for which no goods or services are received in exchange, are fully tax-deductible as provided by law.
 
Contact:
Fran Curtis
R&CPMK 
212-878-5002   
[email protected]

Jessica Sciacchitano 
R&CPMK 
212-878-5027
[email protected]