The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) has promoted Nicole George-Middleton to the role of executive vice president & head of creative membership. Reporting to CEO Elizabeth Matthews, George-Middleton will sit on the ASCAP Senior Leadership team and will oversee songwriter, lyricist and composer relations at ASCAP and lead the ASCAP creative membership department.
“Nicole is an extraordinary executive with a passion for music and an expansive vision for how ASCAP can help our creator members thrive in an increasingly complex and challenging environment,” Matthews said. “Nicole is an innovative leader who brings an unparalleled level of tenacity, intelligence, hard work and good humor to every situation. She is committed to ASCAP’s ‘creator first / future forward’ mission and I have every confidence that she will successfully execute her vision to provide creators the agency and support that they deserve.”
Most recently, George-Middleton held the positions of Senior Vice President of Membership as well as Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation. Nicole will continue to serve as Executive Director of the ASCAP Foundation while Foundation begins the search for her replacement so that she can devote full-time to her new role.
She was instrumental in signing and retaining top ASCAP talent including Cardi B, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Sexyy Red, Migos, Mustard, Big Sean, Swizz Beatz, Tyla, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Victoria Monét, Lil Baby, G. Herbo, Muni Long, Raphael Saadiq, Theron Thomas, Timbaland, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi, The-Dream, Andre 3000, Alicia Keys and Tommy Richman, among others. She successfully launched a number of member programs to celebrate and foster the careers of the organization’s members, including the ASCAP Grammy Brunch, Women Behind the Music, Country/Urban Song Camp as well as elevating ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Music Awards and ASCAP’s Aspire Internship Program to develop the next generation of music industry talent. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, the Executive Committee of She Is the Music,
Prior to joining ASCAP in 2008, George-Middleton was director of business & legal affairs at Zomba Music Group, and prior to that she practiced entertainment law at the Middleton Law Group PC.
+ Island Records has promoted Matt Palazzolo to SVP, Head of Analytics. Based in New York, he will report directly to Imran Majid and Justin Eshak, Co-Chairmen and CEOs of Island Records.
In his new role, Palazzolo will continue to optimize the label’s data capabilities and deliver actionable insights to the organization, its management partners, and artist roster.
Said Eshak, “We’re thrilled to announce the news of Matt’s well-earned promotion. Matt is key to our culture of learning at Island Records where we’re constantly challenging ourselves to gain insights from the marketplace and communicate actionable information to our partners. He also has a real understanding of music and culture that’s indispensable to the delicate process of combining art and analytics.”
“Matt has seamlessly integrated Analytics into the label’s DNA,” said Majid. “He has an incredible ability to attune to what each department is doing and add value by way of his intensive and comprehensive research.”
Palazzolo joined Island Records in 2022 as VP, Head of Analytics after spending nearly six years at Sony Music Publishing.
+ Warner Chappell Music has signed a worldwide administration deal with Diplo, whose catalog as a DJ and producer includes hits with top-selling artists Justin Bieber, Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé and more.
“Diplo is a visionary creative whose multi-faceted success includes pushing boundaries with his own projects, creating cross-genre hits for others, and breaking talent through collaboration,” said Gabz Landman, senior vice president of A&R for WCM. “It takes a rare kind of talent to be able to build and sustain a successful career that spans multiple decades – something Diplo has done almost effortlessly, and we’re so honored to help amplify his legacy even more.”
Diplo launched his own publishing company, Mad Decent Publishing, as a label in 2006. It was acquired by Iconoclast in 2023. He also has his own book, film, and television projects.
“The Warner Chappell team is uniquely set up to address my many endeavors and projects whether it be producing for other artists, releasing my own music, or collaborating on records,” said Diplo in a statement. “They have an immensely skilled, forward thinking staff that I feel can help complement how I approach making and placing music. In addition, I am excited to bring it full circle with Carianne Marshall who played such an integral role in my early success.”
+ Darkroom Records has tapped Nina Lee as head of publicity and communications.
Lee joins the label — home to Billie Eilish (Alexandra Baker and High Rise PR will continue to lead on Eilish and Finneas), D4vd, John Summit, Wisp and more — from Shore Fire Media and The Oriel Company. She has represented such acts as Maxwell, Shaboozey, No ID, Betty Who, Channel Tres, Hannibal Buress, UMI and Audrey Nuna.
Monday, April 21
Kendrick Lamar has been named a brand ambassador for Chanel, the fashion house confirmed Monday via Business of Fashion. In making the announcement, the Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning rapper starred in Chanel’s latest eyewear campaign launching April 22.
“I visited the Chanel ateliers and saw the process of how something goes from design to execution. Seeing the people who work hard and bring these visions to life resonates with me,” Lamar told the publication in a statement. “Chanel has a timeless legacy and that is always something I can get behind. Since they don’t make clothes for men, I knew it would have to be glasses.”
News of Chanel and Lamar’s partnership comes as he and SZA begin their joint “Grand National Tour,” which will hit 19 stadiums across North America, between April and June of 2025.
+ Apple has opened a new Apple Music studio in Tokyo and launched a new radio program, “Snow World Radio,” hosted by the members of Japanese boy band Snow Man.
Following in the footsteps of Apple Music’s studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, London, Paris, and Berlin, this new Tokyo studio aims to “invigorate Japan’s music scene by serving as a production hub for radio programs,” per a press release. In addition to radio production, the studio is equipped with facilities for video recording.
This studio space will also serve as the new home for Apple Music radio hosts Mino and Kentaro “Ochiken” Ochiai, who will welcome global hosts Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden to celebrate the launch and help bring Japan’s incredible music to audiences worldwide with a full week of programming, artist interviews, new releases and more.
“Japan has an incredibly vibrant and flourishing music community and we see so much of that growth reflected on our platform as listeners all around the world discover these artists and fall in love with their music,” said Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s global head of content and editorial. “We want to highlight the cultural and global impact of genres like J-pop and JHip-Hop and provide artists with a dedicated home in Tokyo where they can come share their music with our listeners, tell their stories and connect with their fans worldwide in an authentic and meaningful way.”
