ACTION FOR JACKSON AT ARISTA/RCA MUSIC GROUP

Longtime talent exec Larry Jackson has been promoted to President, A&R Arista Records/EVP A&R, RCA Music Group, reporting to RCA/JIVE Label Group Chairman/CEO Barry Weiss.

Jackson, who joined J Records at its inception in 2000, was previously SVP A&R for RCA Music Group. Among the artists under his supervision are Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis and, most notably, Whitney Houston, whose I Look to You he co-produced. Jackson's currently working with Monica on her new album set for release in December and has begun work on the debut for singer/hit songwriter BC Jean, who penned Beyonce’s smash “If I Were A Boy.”

Before joining J, Larry was the Music Director and a prominent on-air personality at San Francisco’s KMEL, where he began his career as an intern. The influential station has also produced fellow A&R exec Keith Naftaly.

Barry Weiss comments: “Larry is an exceptional A&R executive. He has an incredible knack for pairing an artist with material that best suits their talent. He has excellent relationships within the creative community and has a great ear for identifying new talent whether it be a performer, songwriter or producer. And I just love him on American Idol. Whaddaya mean not that Jackson?”

Added Jackson: "I am honored and humbled by this incredible opportunity presented to me. I would like to offer with the utmost gratitude, my heartfelt thanks to my teachers Clive Davis, Barry Weiss and Keith Naftaly, all of whom have bequeathed a wealth of knowledge upon me that has brought me to this point. Is that the same as dropping science?"