Jody Gerson is one of Most successful music publisher over the past five decades, so it’s no surprise that she was honored with Recording Academy’s Industry Icon Award At Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy event on Saturday night. What is unfortunately surprising is the fact that, as CEO of universal music publishing, she is one of the very few female managers of a large music company – a number who have shrunk, rather than rise, in recent years.
Gerson took Roret with Universal Music Publishing in 2015, after rising through the rankings at Chappell Music, EMI and Sony Music Publishing, and the company has gone from strength to strength since she took responsibility. She now leads a company with 48 offices in 40 countries and more than 850 employees. The company’s list includes Adele, Bee Gees, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lana del Rey, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Drake, Billie Eilish, Her, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Prince Estate, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, SZA and many more. On its watch, the company has also acquired the catalogs with artists such as Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Sting, among others.
Read Gerson’s acceptance number in full below.
Thanks, Harvey; Doechii, I’m happy with your success. We saw it five years ago, and here we are!
Lucian, thanks for that introduction and even more important, for your leadership and support to help all our UMG colleagues that have been affected by the terrible fires. There is, of course, so much more to do, but the speed that our company responded and acted to help so many needs was impressive and moving.
And thank you, post. I am so honored that you would be here for me, tonight. You are the real deal. I knew it from the first moment we met so many years ago. And thanks Austin Rosen (Post Malone) for doing this.
Clive, I’ve come to your event for many years now, and it’s really a highlight for all of us during the Grammy season. But I will admit that there was a few times early in my career when I actually crashed this party! The first time I did, I was all dressed and carved in without being noticed.
I was a nervous wreck but tried to look like I belonged there. When I went into the party, I encountered Fred Davis, who was very surprised to see me. Although my career had barely begun, I was at that moment sure it was already over. Peace, I never thanked you properly for not revealing me!
When I finally got my first official invitation to participate, it was a great moment in my career. I remember it well; It was the year that Alicia Keys released her debut album, “Songs in a minor”, and, Clive, I was so happy to share in its success with you. I am proud that we continue to represent Alicia’s iconic catalog with songs and call her my dear friend. The work we do together with our foundation, she is the music, makes a difference by increasing the number of women working in the music industry.
When Harvey called me with the news that the academy wanted to honor me with the Icon Award, I was stunned.
I reflected on how far I would get since I was the older little girl sitting at my dad and grandfather’s nightclub, the Latin casino, in Cherry Hill New Jersey. There I would see in the reverence of the performances of legendary icons such as Sinatra, Diana Ross and Supremes, Dionne Warwick, Richard Pryor and countless others.
I spent a lot of time at the club, often backstage, looked at the artists and musicians before they went on stage. I studied them … I saw how my dad handled them. I looked at everything, missed nothing and definitely saw more than I should have done. After all, it was the 70s, so I’m sure you can imagine!
So many times, during my childhood, my dad would call from the club and my mom would get out of bed and put together spectacular parties for the entertainers after her shows and still make my brother and me ready for school in the morning. These experiences not only formed my passion for music but my deep understanding and love for artists. Even at the young age, I knew I wanted a career in the music industry
My first job after college was a starting level at Chappell Music. I had no idea what music publishing was, even though I grew up in Philly and around my father’s friends like Gamble and Huff, Thom Bell and all the great Philly talent. But I knew a job at Chappell was a foot in the door. What I didn’t know then was that I would spend my whole career to protect the value of artists and their work.
I am very aware that my status within the business entails enormous responsibility and that my actions have a direct impact on artists and colleagues that I work with. I try my best to do it positively and meaningfully. Since this is my North Star strategy, it has been rewarding, especially with our company’s latest Spotify business, working in an environment where I actually see the results of our efforts to protect the spine in our business: songwriter.
But I want my impact to reach beyond the boundaries of the music industry.
As frightened as we are all of the devastation caused by the fire fires in Los Angeles, we should be heard and surprised by the generosity of Angelenos and others who have contributed generously to help so many others who have lost everything. Together with these material losses, there is an outstanding fee on mental health for many who live here. We are worried. Many of us are depressed and traumatized and we feel without control. What is happening in Los Angeles now reflects what is happening in our country as a whole. We have a mental health crisis that must be handled.
This is a question that is too familiar in our business. But by normalizing the pursuit of mental care, we should applaud iconic artists such as Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Chappel Roan and so many more, who have helped to reduce the stigma of mental care and made it “OK” for many to search Help for the first time.
Following their leadership, I recently joined the board of a fantastic non -profit organization called Project Healthy Minds, which was based on the belief that access to mental health services should be just as easy to book a flight, hotel or restaurant reservation. This is an important endeavor that our entire industry can and should be behind.
So go with me to help our communities heal and recover. – Projecthealthyminds.com
To Harvey and everyone at the Recording Academy who looked appropriate to introduce me with this honor tonight: Thank you. I am deeply moved.
I have had the great wealth to work closely with so many talented songwriters and artists, and I am excited that many of them are here tonight. It fills me with pride to be honored with this award, but I would not receive it if not for you.
I am lucky enough to run this company like me: a woman who cares to do the right thing, always. I have done a lot in my career, but my greatest joy is to be Julian, Luke and Daisy’s mother. They are undoubtedly my biggest achievements. I’m so glad you’re here with me tonight. It doesn’t get any better than you. I’m always proud of you and I love you more.
My mom always said that I could have everything, and I do: an incredible career and a wonderful famly. And Gavin Polone – my eternal partner who believes in me and drives me to stand in my power unpologetically. He also nails me for not taking any crap from anyone, but it is still an ongoing work.
Music can shine even our darkest days, and we certainly need artists to get light to the world. Now, more than ever. So thank you to everyone who is here tonight, for showing up and celebrating all the Grammy nominated. You help us take the first steps to build back our beautiful city, and I am so proud to be part of this wonderful society.
Thanks.