RANI PUTS HER HANCOCK ON DEAL TO BECOME COLUMBIA EVP/A&R HEAD

Rani Hancock will be joining Team Columbia as EVP/head of A&R, according to an internal memo obtained by HITS. Starting 8/1, Hancock will report to label boss Ron Perry.

She most recently served as president of Sire Records, but her 15 years in the Sony system (most recently as EVP A&R at RCA) make her new Columbia gig something of a homecoming.

In the memo, Perry notes he is "thrilled" to have Hancock as part of the label's crew and looks forward to the ceremony during which she'll receive her official hoodie.