SHAEV PUTS UP HER DUKES
AT VIRGIN

Promotion veteran Hilary Shaev "And A Haircut Two Bits" has been at work for two months already (we first reported it on hitsdailydouble.com back in April), but it took until this week for Virgin Records America to get around to officially naming her Executive Vice President Promotion.

The announcement was made by President/COO Roy "They Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking" Lott and Chairman/CEO "Auto" Matt Serletic, to whom she’ll report.

In this new, New York-based post, Shaev will bring that devotion to her beloved Duke basketballers to developing and implementing promotion strategies for all label artists, and to recording a hip-hop album with Blue Devil superstar Jay Williams.

Shaev was previously Executive Vice President Promotion for Epic Records, beginning in 1993 as VP Pop and Video Promotion for 550 Music. Shaev rose to Sr. VP in 1997, and was instrumental in breaking such artists as Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Ginuwine and Incubus. She also taught Dion’s husband Rene Angeli everything he knows about betting on college basketball. Prior to that, she was Sr. Director of Alternative and Video Promotion for EMI Records Group, worked at SBK Records and CBS Records and is the only label promo executive who can correctly spell Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last name.

Said Shaev: "I am proud and excited to be joining Matt and Roy at Virgin Records. At a time of reinvention in the music industry, it is thrilling to be part of a team whose musical vision, team spirit and sense of focus will lead us to greatness…just like my beloved Duke Blue Devils, naturally. I thank them for the opportunity and look forward to working with an incredible roster of artists. By the way, how do you like my official Grant Hill jersey?"

Lott and Serletic raised their voices in two-part harmony to add: "Hilary is a record executive second to none. She is an exceptional strategist, outstanding team builder and passionate supporter of artists. Her expertise is one of the fundamental strengths of the ‘new’ Virgin. We are fortunate and proud for Hilary to call Virgin home. But we draw the line at renaming the label Mike Dunleavy Records."