Lisa Ellis Promoted to President, Sony Urban Music

Lisa Ellis Promoted to President, Sony Urban Music

NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Lisa Ellis has been promoted to President, Sony Urban Music, it was announced today by Don Ienner, Chief Executive Officer and Michele Anthony, President and Chief Operating Officer, Sony Music Label Group U.S. Most recently, Ms. Ellis served as General Manager, Sony Urban Music. She will report to both Mr. Ienner and Ms. Anthony and is based in New York.

In this role Ms. Ellis will be responsible for the overall management of Sony Urban Music.

"Since Lisa joined Columbia nearly ten years ago, I have watched her grow through different jobs and become one of the most effective executives in the industry," commented Don Ienner. "When I needed to name a new head of Urban, there was no one else I even considered. She completely turned around the division in just 18 months, and built it into a powerhouse that works closely with both Columbia and Epic."

"Since taking the leadership role at Sony Urban, Lisa's leadership, creativity, energy and passion have made her a major force in both the company and the industry," said Ms. Anthony. "This is a well-deserved promotion for all that she has accomplished in such a brief period of time. She has an amazing rapport with her artists, as well as with her team, and the results speak for themselves."

"Don and Michele have created an environment in which we are all encouraged to contribute, team work is highly valued, and results are rewarded," commented Ms. Ellis. "This is an organization that has all of the creative resources to help artists realize their goals. I am gratified for the opportunity to grow and develop the Urban division and to continue our collaboration with Columbia and Epic."

Since 2004, Ms. Ellis served as General Manager, Sony Urban Music. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Music Licensing, Sony Music, where she worked with Columbia Records Group, Epic Records, Sony Music Nashville and Legacy Recordings to create licensing campaigns for a wide array of artists and projects.

From 2002 to 2003, Ms. Ellis served as Senior Vice President, R&B/Rhythm- Crossover Promotion, Columbia Records where she led the R&B/Rhythm-Crossover team in securing airplay at multiple radio formats for a range of Columbia artists. She also oversaw the development and execution of national promotion opportunities and implemented creative methods of exposure for the label's roster at R&B/Rhythm-Crossover radio. In addition, Ms. Ellis oversaw the label's street marketing team and Rap Mix Show Department.

From 2000 to 2002 Ms. Ellis served as Vice President, National Promotion (West Coast) and Vice President, Crossover Promotion, Columbia Records. She joined the Columbia Records family in 1995 as a Local Promotion Manager and was named National Director, Crossover Promotion in 1998. From 1990-1992, Ms. Ellis worked at the Pepsi-Cola Company as Marketing Manager. In 1992, she was hired by CBS Radio (WPGC in Washington, DC) as Promotions and Marketing Director, a position she held until becoming Sports Marketing Manager for Reebok International in 1994.

The recipient of numerous industry awards, Ms. Ellis was named the Street Information Network's (S.I.N.) Local Promotion Manager of the Year (1997) and Crossover Executive of the Year (1998, 1999); R&R's Crossover Executive of the Year (1998) and Rhythm-Crossover Executive of the Year (1999); Gavin's Crossover Executive of the Year (1998, 1999); and FMQB's Crossover Executive of the Year (1999). In 2000, Ms. Ellis was given the Radio Music Award for Crossover Executive of the Year. Currently Sony Urban Music is nominated for Urban Label of the Year for the 2005 Billboard Music Awards.

Ms. Ellis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland in 1991.

Source: Sony Music Label Group U.S.

CONTACT: John McKay, +1-212-833-5520, for Sony Music Label Group U.S.

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