300 Entertainment reveals a new round of executive promotions 16 Jul 2024
300 Entertainment reveals a new round of executive promotions—as announced today by Co-Presidents Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab. The label has appointed Az Cohen to Vice President, A&R & Research, Janelle Gibbs to Vice President, Publicity, and Tashana Ventura to Vice President, Marketing.
Cohen will focus on identifying, signing, and developing new acts in addition to collaborating with marquee talent on upcoming projects. Gibbs will spearhead media and storytelling for the company's entire stable of artists, powering all public relations campaigns. Meanwhile, Ventura will oversee marketing for artists across the label's roster, orchestrating partnerships, guiding release strategy, and igniting cultural moments.
Regarding these promotions, Bass and Bouab commented, "Az, Janelle, and Tashana embody the spirit of 300 Entertainment. They live and breathe music, devoting themselves to their artists and tirelessly supporting their fellow team members. With their respective skillsets, diehard passion, and bold ideas, they truly represent a new vanguard of music industry executives. They're integral to our future."
"The magic of 300 is that we are a group of people who all believe in the same mission." Cohen said. "When you're surrounded by people who believe, it's easier to believe and show up yourself. That's a unique and wonderful part about working here. Music has the potential to be the great equalizer. It speaks to us deeply and personally. As humans, it's one of the few things that genuinely unites us. We can come from entirely different experiences, hear a song, and experience it together. Music is beyond valuable, so it always needs to be protected and celebrated. I believe we do that at 300."
Gibbs noted, "When I joined the 300 team, I immediately sensed a place where I belonged. The term #biggerfamilybusiness is the true DNA of 300. Personally, I take pride in telling the artist's story and I appreciate the space Kevin, Rayna and Selim give me to break ceilings. The culture at 300 is focused on nurturing the next generation of not only artists but future executives. 300 is more than just a workplace; it's a family committed to growth and creativity and I'm happy to be a part of where 300 is heading."
Ventura added, "I'm very passionate about overall artist development and storytelling. Rayna and Selim have really given me the latitude to push the envelope on behalf of our artists. I'm very hands-on and still have the same ambition that I had when I started in this industry. I stay true to my love of music, which is why 300 makes me feel truly at home."
In 2014, Cohen became a part of the 300 Entertainment team. Over the last decade, he tirelessly worked to build and organically expand the A&R & Research department. Beyond signing and cultivating talent, he collaborated closely with the team to introduce Sparta Distribution as the company's bespoke independent distribution platform. Simultaneously, he led the internship program. Before entering the fold at 300 Entertainment, he co-founded independent management and production company Simple Stupid, working with clients such as Post Malone. Maintaining a staunch commitment to charity, he remains actively involved with the UJA Federation of New York as well as The Bridge Golf Foundation. He is a graduate of New York University. He is based in New York, NY.
300 Entertainment welcomed Gibbs in 2022 as Senior Director. Along the way, she strategized successive releases for multiplatinum Detroit rap phenomenon Tee Grizzley and also proved crucial to HUNXHO's breakout. Working with Gunna, she notably led PR for two back-to-back Billboard 200 Top 3 albums. At the same time, she orchestrates media for buzzing talent BlakeIANA, WanMor, and more. Her career began with a five-year stint at Epic Records, where she handled PR for multi platinum rappers Rick Ross, G Herbo, DDG, and more. She is based in New York, NY.
Ventura joined 300 Entertainment in 2018 as Director, Marketing. Promoted to Senior Director in 2020, she has catalyzed HUNXHO's rise as one of hip-hop's hottest new acts and is doing the same with buzzing rap artist BlakeIANA . Meanwhile, her other projects have included platinum and gold selling artists such as YNW Melly, Famous Dex and the late Lil Keed. Prior, she spent three years at Taylor Gang, handling day-to-day management for multi platinum R&B superstar Ty Dolla $ign. She kicked off her career at Atlantic Records where she held positions in the video promotion department and marketing from 2008-2014.
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THE HEADLINES
Mercury Prize 2024: Album of the Year TV programme to be filmed and broadcast live from Abbey Road Studios (see Media)
Lauren Laverne reveals she has been diagnosed with cancer (see Media)
Why everyone's steaming froth over Universal (see Comment)
Music seems to be at the forefront of a rush to uniformity. It’s time to rebel (see Comment)
TikTok's Songs of the Summer highlights disconnect with Top 40 chart (see Digital)
Rock Against Racism plans gigs in riot towns across Britain (see News)
Music publishing forecasts: strong growth and more to come (see Analysis)
Tencent Music’s ‘Super VIP’ tier costs 5 times as much as a regular subscription. Spotify could learn a lot from it (see Comment)
Instagram and the download-delete cycle (see Comment)
Claimants hit back at PRS in open letter (see News)
The state of A&R (see Comment)
Is a streaming slowdown really underway? (see Analysis)