ROPPO TO LEAD
REPUBLIC CORPS

Ten-hut, troops! Republic Corps has officially launched, with Jim Roppo named president and COO, reporting directly to company chiefs Monte and Avery Lipman.

Corps will support the central operational hub for—deep breath—Republic Records (Wendy Goldstein, president and chief creative officer), Mercury Records (Tyler Arnold, president, and Ben Adelson, GM), Island Records (Justin Eshak and Imran Majid, co-CEOs), Def Jam Recordings (Tunji Balogun, chairman/CEO) and IMPERIAL Music and Casablanca Records (Glenn Mendlinger, president).

As part of this new collective, according to a dispatch from Corps HQ, each label will operate with "full independence and creative autonomy."

Roppo will spearhead strategy and operations support, working with the labels while leading the integrated departments. The Republic Corps leadership team also includes Republic EVP of Global Commerce and Digital Strategy Kevin Lipson, who will add revenue strategy to his brief while keeping junior cadets out of the officers' mess.

Meanwhile, Gary Spangler will lead a promo team that boasts Lucas Romeo and Ayelet Schiffman as well as format leads Natina Nimene (Urban), Brett Dumler (Pop), Davey Dee Ingenloff (Rhythm), Manny Simon (Adult) and Amanda Dobbins (Rock). Unit cohesion will be maintained with the buddy system.

Mike Alexander will oversee a global marketing team that includes Myra DeCastro (Def Jam), Steve Rowen (Island) and Zoe Briggs (Republic/Mercury).

Joseph Carozza will lead media strategy for all the labels as part of a team including Beau Benton (Republic), Marisa Bianco (Mercury), Lauren Ceradini (Def Jam) and Lauren Schneider (Island). On any given campaign, it’s been decreed, whoever draws the short straw gets to call HITS.

In addition, Steve Gawley will continue as EVP of business and legal affairs and business development, and Joe Schmidt retains his EVP/CFO title; both will report directly to the Lipmans.

Further Republic Corps team members include Jenny Beal (production), Brittney Ramsdell (creative synchronization) and Meredeth Oliver and Liza Corsey (A&R administration).

All Republic Corps personnel will muster at 0500 for inspection. Dismissed!