ARBAGEY ARRIVES AT 19 ENTERTAINMENT

Veteran Epic A&R exec Joey Arbagey has been named EVP of music at 19 Entertainment, where he will oversee business connected to the company's long-running American Idol franchise.

That will include 19 Recordings, 19 Publishing, 19 Management and partnerships such as with distributor BMG. Arbagey will report to Sony Pictures Television president Eli Holzman and SPT Nonfiction president/EVP of production Rachel Dax.

"His input will be invaluable as we continue to build the legacy of one of the most iconic institutions in music," they said of Arbagey, who added, "they’ve built a music division with a roster that speaks for itself."

During a decade-long run at Epic, Arbagey worked with Camila Cabello, Mariah Carey, Future, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott and Meghan Trainor.

He also served in A&R roles at Arista and Def Jam, and was previously Program Director at San Francisco's KMEL, where he provided an early platform for Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo and Outkast.

19 is gearing up for a new season Idol preview episode airing 3/2 on ABC following the Academy Awards. The season premieres 3/9 with judges Carrie Underwood (the 2005 winner), Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

HITS has already dropped our audition tape in the mail.