DOWNTOWN UPS STEPHENSON TO PUBLISHING PREZ

Emily Stephenson has been promoted to president, Publishing, at Downtown Music. Downtown Music Services Global President Mike Smith is departing the company after nearly three years of service.

Stephenson, who will report to Downtown Music President Pieter van Rijn, will oversee all publishing efforts, including client acquisition and business development, A&R, rights management and client services for the group's publishing companies—Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust and Sheer.

Stephenson was most recently the division’s VP of Business Operations. During her 10-year tenure at the company, she's been responsible for publishing administration and client services for Downtown’s songwriter and publishing clients, including Ryan Tedder, Big Yellow Dog and the John Lennon estate.

“Emily is a proven leader and Downtown Publishing is in excellent hands,” said van Rijn. “Mike stewarded Downtown Music Services through a period of great change and leaves it as a global leader. Now, with Downtown’s publishing companies aligned, we’ve created a powerful service offering that will maximize client revenue and present new opportunities to Downtown’s client base.”

In addition to Stephenson’s promotion, Jedd Katrancha has been upped to chief commercial officer, Publishing. Based in New York, he joined Downtown Music Publishing in 2007, the first hire made by founder Justin Kalifowitz. Katrancha subsequently led the company’s creative services and sync licensing businesses from its inception. Reporting to Stephenson, he will oversee business development, A&R and sync for Downtown’s group of publishing companies.

Smith is leaving the company to pursue various projects and focus on his charitable work, which includes board positions with Teenage Cancer Trust, EarthPercent, In Place of War and The Creative Society.