Universal Music Group has appointed Jody Gerson as Chairman and CEO of the company’s music publishing division, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), effective January 1, 2015. Gerson, who currently serves as Co-President of Sony/ATV Publishing, will be based at UMPG’s headquarters in Santa Monica, CA and will report to UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge.

In making the announcement, Grainge said, “Jody Gerson is simply one of the best music publishers in the business, and we are thrilled that she will be bringing her creativity, savvy and vast experience to UMPG. Jody represents a new breed of music industry leadership, with a keen understanding of the evolving role of music publishers in the digital era and a track record of artist successes that places her among all-time greats. I’m excited for what we will accomplish together.”

Gerson was appointed to her current role of Co-President for Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2008. Her first signing there was a then unknown Lady Gaga who soon after became one of the most successful artists in the world. Gerson has also played an instrumental role in the careers of Enrique Iglesias, Mac Miller, Pitbull, RedOne, Shakira and Pharrell Williams, among others. Another one of her signings, Nasri Atweh, the lead singer and primary songwriter for the band Magic!, had a No. 1 single (“Rude”) this summer on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

At various stages of her career, Gerson has worked with numerous songwriters and recording artists including Bernie Taupin, R.E.M., Rod Stewart, Jermaine Dupri, and Dallas Austin,  In 1996, she signed a 15 year old artist named Alicia Keys, who became a major star after the release of her first album Songs in a Minor. Also that year, Gerson signed Norah Jones and in 2003, Jones earned five Grammy Awards for her album Come Away With Me.