A WIN FOR WINKLER

Island's Imran Majid and Justin Eshak are promoting A&R exec Jackie Winkler—who recently played a key role in signing and developing Lauren Spencer-Smith—to VP of the department.

Said Eshak, “Jackie has an exceptional ear and natural instinct for finding and fostering talent. Her deep understanding across all aspects of A&R is exactly why she will thrive in this new role." Majid added, “Jackie is highly respected in the artist and creative community. Her ability to discover artists and put records together is top-notch. She is an integral leader in this new chapter of Island Records.”

Winkler, who started her career at Warner, where she was mentored by Lenny Waronker, has already spent eight years at Island. She's helped lift the likes of Demi Lovato, Sabrina Carpenter, Bishop Briggs and Olivia O'Brien. She thanked Majid and Eshak in a statement for "giving [her] the opportunity and freedom to continue making noise and cultivating new talent in this elevated position.”

We know absolutely nothing about being elevated, but we're confident that even a HITS mention can't drag Winkler down.