Def Jam Recordings Promotes Rodney Shealey To EVP, Theda Sandiford To SVP/Commerce

Rodney Shealey & Theda Saniford

DEF JAM RECORDINGS has restructured its executive leadership team.  RODNEY SHEALEY has been promoted to EVP of the label and THEDA SANIFORD is now SVP/Commerce. Both are based in NEW YORK and will report to DEF JAM Chairman/CEO PAUL ROSENBERG.

In his newly expanded role, SHEALEY will work closely with DEF JAM’s artists, managers and partners to design and execute strategies across all platforms. He will now oversee DEF JAM’s marketing department while continuing to run its urban promotion division.

Ms. SANDIFORD has worked within UMG in the fields of marketing, sales, and international commerce, she will now head DEF JAM’s commerce and digital marketing initiatives.

ROSENBERG said, “RODNEY and THEDA are seasoned, veteran leaders who have earned the respect of their colleagues throughout DEF JAM, UMG, and the industry at large. They represent the forward vanguard of imaginative executives whose task it will be to develop global success for our outstanding roster of artists.”

SHEALEY commented, “I’m excited to hit the ground running in this new role at DEF JAM, the label I’ve called home for the past twelve years. In that time, we’ve had a lot of success, broken a lot of records, and launched the careers of a lot of superstars. It’s time to take up the mantle of a new set of goals and challenges. We’re developing a roster of emerging artists here at DEF JAM that have amazing potential. I’m thrilled to work with PAUL ROSENBERG, RICH ISAACSON, and the executive team here to unleash that potential and deliver incredible music and artists on behalf of this iconic label.”

SANIFORD said, “Returning to lead the commerce and digital teams at DEF JAM where I started my label career in single sales takes my career full circle. It’s an honor and pleasure to represent the brand and the next generation of hip-hop cultural purveyors.”

SHEALEY has served as EVP/Urban Promotion, since 2014 and has been with the company for 12 years.  He joined the department in 2007 as VP. He was promoted to SVP in 2010.  He began his career at EPIC RECORDS where he was mentored by the late POLLY ANTHONY and rose to the post of SVP/ Promotion. Prior to DEF JAM, he spent two years as VIRGIN RECORDS SVP/Promotions.

Ms. SANDIFORD entered the UMG commerce sector in 2016 as VP/Commercial Partnerships. She was promoted last year to SVP/ International Commerce & Digital Marketing.  Prior to UMG, she spent four years as REPUBLIC RECORDS VP/Digital Marketing & Sales. Her first stint with the company was in 1999 as Senior Director/ New Media, at the former ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC GROUP. Her early NEW YORK background in music includes positions at WBLS/WLIB, WYNY, and BILLBOARD MAGAZINE.

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