Women in Music: Jody Gerson

Sony/ATV co-president Jody Gerson, who oversees the company's A&R and film, TV and gaming departments, had quite a year, building on her previous success. She guided the signings of much buzzed-about act Odd Future as well as hit producer/songwriter Jeff Bhasker. She struck a deal with Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon to bring to Broadway "Drumline," a movie that she co-produced. And in June she was recognized as a UJA Federation of New York music visionary of the year. Those accomplishments burnish a career where Gerson has signed writers including Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Mike Posner, Elle Varner and Nikki Jean to Sony/ATV and Norah Jones and Alicia Keys to publishing deals at other companies. Since joining Sony/ATV four years ago, her leadership has helped the company to win both of music publishing's top honors: ASCAP publisher of the year (2009) and BMI publisher of the year (2011). "In these changing times where there is a decline in the music business, we are seeing it differently," Gerson says. "We pride ourselves as a proactive company trying to create copyright revenue in whatever way possible. We are on everything."