Rani Hancock Named Executive Vice President, Head of U.S. Creative at Kobalt

(NEW YORK, NY January 7, 2025) Kobalt, the leading independent music publishing

destination for songwriters and publishers, announced today that it has appointed Rani

Hancock to the position of Executive Vice President, Head of U.S. Creative at the company. In

her new role, Hancock will lead the company’s creative teams in New York, Los Angeles and

Nashville.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rani Hancock to Kobalt Music,” said Jeannette Perez, the

company’s President & Chief Commercial Officer. “Her exceptional creative vision and

proven track record make her the perfect fit to head our U.S. creative team. Rani’s deep

understanding of the evolving music landscape, combined with her passion for nurturing

talent, will be invaluable as we continue to empower songwriters, artists and producers in

achieving their greatest potential.”

Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt commented: “Rani is a creative executive who has

always looked at the songwriter as a foundational player in our business. That point of

view, along with her vast experience in our business, embodies the kind of leadership and

creative acumen that makes her the ideal leader to guide our U.S. creative team moving

forward.”

Rani joins Kobalt from Columbia Records where she served as EVP, Head of A&R and

A&R’d Dove Cameron, Maren Morris, and JoJo Siwa, among others. In her previous

role as Executive Vice President, A&R at RCA Records, she signed chart-topping artists

including Miley Cyrus, Kesha, and Becky G and A&Rd projects for Pitbull, Britney

Spears, and more. During her stint as President of Sire Records, she signed Bryce Vine

and Cavetown, oversaw projects by Tegan and Sara and Andra Day, as well as

executive produced the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack for The United States vs.

Billie Holiday.

“Joining Kobalt is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that truly values

songwriters, artists and producers,” said Hancock. “Laurent and Jeannette have built an

amazing team and a culture of creativity and innovation. I’m incredibly excited to work

alongside them to champion the next generation of creative talent. Kobalt’s commitment

to empowering artists aligns perfectly with my own values, where great songs and great

songwriters always come first. I can’t wait to contribute to their continued success”;

Ms. Hancock began her career working for the legendary Clive Davis at Arista Records,

later joining him as part of the founding team at J Records. She holds a degree in Music

Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music. Throughout her career, she

has A&R’d six #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles, three #1 Billboard Hot 100 albums, and 17

Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 singles. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy and

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Hancock will report directly to Jeannette Perez.

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About Kobalt

Kobalt Music is the leading independent music publishing destination for songwriters and

publishers, powered by technology. Across 13 global offices, Kobalt serves over 1 Million songs,

representing some of the biggest songwriters in the world, including Roddy Ricch, Max Martin,

Karol G, Andrew Watt, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lumineers, Gunna, Justin Quiles,

The Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, and many more. On average, Kobalt represents over 35%

of the top 100 songs and albums in the US and the UK. With a relentless focus on advancing

the interests of creators, Kobalt leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline the complex

processes of music publishing administration. The company's dedication to transparency,

coupled with its forward-thinking approach, has positioned it as a trusted partner for songwriters

and rights holders navigating the ever-evolving music industry.

Kobalt’s unwavering commitment to empowering creators and reshaping the future of music

rights management solidifies its standing as a global leader in the music industry. The company

continues to transform the industry, most recently via AMRA, its global digital music collection

society designed to maximize value for songwriters and publishers in today's digital age, while

providing the highest level of transparency and efficiency. For more information about Kobalt,

please visit www.kobaltmusic.com.

CONTACT:

John Vlautin

jv@spinlab.net