UMGP Announces The Promotion Of Ethiopia Habtemariam To Senior Vice President, Creative Services/Head Of Urban Music

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced the promotion of Ethiopia Habtemariam to Senior Vice President/Head of Urban Music. Habtemariam was previously Vice President of Urban Music.

Based in New York, Habtemariam is responsible for finding and developing songwriters, artists, and producers for the urban music department of Universal Music Publishing Group, and has signed some of music's biggest superstars, including; multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Chris Brown, breakthrough artist and songwriter Keri Hilson, gold recording artist and songwriter Ciara, BMI Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year Polow Da Don, Andre Merrit, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, Ezekiel Lewis (The Clutch), Rock City, and Brian Kennedy to name a few.

In addition to talent acquisition, Habtemariam works to create new opportunities for the company's current roster of writers to exploit catalog, and serve as a liaison between the writers, record companies and the publishing group in order to place songs and writers on upcoming artist projects, soundtracks, and compilations.

In making the announcement Tom Sturges, Head of Creative Affairs, Universal Music Publishing Group stated: "Ethiopia has proven herself to be one of the most remarkable executives I have ever worked with. She has a great and proven ear for talent, the eyes to spot an amazing opportunity to do business, and the force of personality that allows her to establish unending relationships throughout the industry. This promotion is well-deserved and another great step in Ethiopia's career.

In her new role, Habtemariam will oversee one of the hottest urban rosters in music—from multi-platinum and GRAMMY® award winning acts like Mary J. Blige, Polow, 50 Cent, Eminem, Jeremih, Amerie, Ashanti, Jill Scott, Prince, Nicole Sherzinger, Ice Cube, Raphael Saadiq, Swizz Beatz, DMX, Asher Roth, Beastie Boys, R.Kelly, Babyface, Keyshia Cole, and many more. Universal Music Publishing Group was recently named Publisher of the Year at the BMI Urban Music Awards, as well as publishing the Songwriter of the Year (T-Pain) and Producer of the Year (Polow). UMPG also has a publishing interest in the Song of the Year, Jordin Sparks' "No Air."

Habtemariam joined the company in 2003.