Jody Gerson is among the most achieved music publishers of the final 5 many years, so it’s no shock that she was honored with the Recording Academy’s Business Icon Award at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Occasion on Saturday night time. What is unfortunately shocking is the truth that as CEO of Common Music Publishing, she is among the only a few feminine heads of a serious music corporations — a quantity that has been shrinking, slightly than rising, in recent times.

Gerson took the helm of Common Music Publishing in 2015, after rising by way of the ranks at Chappell Music, EMI and Sony Music Publishing, and the corporate has gone from power to power since she took cost. She now leads an organization with 48 workplaces in 40 international locations and greater than 850 workers.  The corporate’s roster consists of Adele, Bee Gees, Dangerous Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Drake, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Elton John, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Put up Malone, the Prince property, Harry Types, Taylor Swift, SZA and plenty of extra. On her watch, the corporate has additionally acquired the catalogs of artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, and Sting, amongst others.

Learn Gerson’s acceptance speech in full beneath.

Thanks, Harvey; Doechii, I’m delighted in your success.  We noticed it 5 years in the past, and right here we’re!

Lucian, thanks for that introduction and extra importantly, in your management and assist in serving to all our UMG colleagues who’ve been impacted by the horrific fires.  There may be a lot extra to do, after all, however the pace with which our firm responded and acted to assist the wants of so many was spectacular and transferring. 

And thanks, Put up. I’m so honored that you’d be right here for me, tonight. You’re the actual deal. I knew it from the primary second we met, so a few years in the past. And thanks Austin Rosen [Post Malone] for making this occur. 

Clive, I’ve been coming to your occasion for a few years now, and it’s actually a spotlight for all of us throughout Grammy season. However I’ll confess, there have been a couple of occasions early in my profession after I truly crashed this occasion! The primary time I did it, I bought all dressed up and snuck in with out being observed.

I used to be a nervous wreck however attempting to appear to be I belonged there. After I walked into the occasion, I bumped smack into Fred Davis, who was very stunned to see me. Despite the fact that my profession had barely began, at that second, I used to be certain it was already over. Fred, I by no means thanked you correctly for not exposing me! 

After I lastly did obtain my first official invite to attend, it was an enormous second in my profession. I bear in mind it effectively; It was the 12 months Alicia Keys launched her debut album, “Songs in A Minor,” and, Clive, I used to be so blissful to share in its success with you. I’m proud that we proceed to symbolize Alicia’s iconic catalogue of songs and to name her my pricey good friend. The work we do along with our basis, She is the Music, IS making a distinction by rising the variety of ladies working within the music enterprise.

When Harvey referred to as me with the information that the Academy needed to honor me with the Icon Award, I used to be surprised.

I mirrored on simply how far I’d come since I used to be that precocious little lady sitting ringside at my dad and grandfather’s nightclub, The Latin On line casino, in Cherry Hill New Jersey. There, I might watch in awe the performances of legendary icons like Sinatra, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dionne Warwick, Richard Pryor and numerous others.

I spent a LOT of time on the membership, typically backstage, watching the artists and musicians earlier than they went on stage. I studied them…I noticed how my dad handled them. I watched every little thing, missed nothing, and positively noticed greater than I ought to have. In any case, it was the ‘70s, so I’m certain you may think about!

So many occasions, throughout my childhood, my Dad would name from the membership and my Mother would get away from bed and put collectively spectacular events for the entertainers after their exhibits, and nonetheless get my brother and me prepared for varsity within the morning. These experiences fashioned not solely my ardour for music however my deep understanding and love of artists. Even at that younger age, I knew that I needed a profession within the music enterprise

My first job after faculty was an entry degree place at Chappell Music. I had no concept what music publishing was, though I grew up in Philly and round my dad’s pals like Gamble and Huff, Thom Bell and all that nice Philly expertise. However I did know {that a} job at Chappell was a foot within the door. What I didn’t know then was that I might dedicate my whole profession to defending the worth of artists and their work.

I’m very conscious that my stature throughout the enterprise brings with it great obligations, and that my actions have a direct influence on the artists and colleagues with whom I work. I strive my greatest to make that influence optimistic and significant. With this being my north star method, it has been rewarding, particularly with our firm’s current Spotify deal, to work in an setting the place I truly see the outcomes of our efforts shield the spine of our enterprise: SONGWRITERS.  

However I would like my influence to achieve past the boundaries of the music enterprise.

As horrified as all of us are by the devastation attributable to the wildfires in Los Angeles, we needs to be heartened and amazed by the generosity of Angelenos and others who’ve contributed generously to help so many others who’ve misplaced every little thing. Together with these materials losses, there’s an unprecedented toll on the psychological well being of many who stay right here. We’re anxious. Many people are depressed and traumatized and we really feel uncontrolled. What is going on in Los Angeles now’s reflective of what’s going on in our nation as an entire. We’ve got a psychological well being disaster that have to be handled. 

This is a matter all too acquainted in our enterprise. However by normalizing the pursuit of psychological well being care, we should always applaud iconic artists like Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Chappel Roan, and so many extra, who’ve helped to minimize the stigma surrounding psychological well being care and made it “okay” for a lot of to hunt assist for the primary time.

Following their lead, I’ve not too long ago joined the board of a unbelievable non-profit group referred to as Challenge Wholesome Minds, which was based on the idea that accessing psychological well being providers needs to be as simple reserving a flight, lodge or restaurant reservation. This is a vital endeavor that our whole trade can, and ought to, get behind.

So be part of me in serving to our communities heal and recuperate. – projecthealthyminds.com 

To Harvey and everybody on the Recording Academy who noticed match to current me with this honor tonight: Thanks. I’m deeply touched. 

I’ve had the nice fortune to work carefully with so many proficient songwriters and artists, and I’m elated that lots of them are right here tonight. It fills me with satisfaction to be honored with this award, however I wouldn’t be receiving it if not for you.

I’m lucky to get to run this firm as me: A girl who cares about doing the fitting factor, all the time. I’ve accomplished so much in my profession, however my best pleasure is being Julian, Luke and Daisy’s mother. They’re certainly my best accomplishments. I’m so blissful you’re right here with me tonight. It doesn’t get higher than you. I’m happy with you all the time and I really like you extra .

My mother all the time mentioned that I may have all of it, and I do: An unimaginable profession and an exquisite famly. And Gavin Polone — my eternally accomplice who believes in me and pushes me to face in my energy unapologetically. He additionally nags me to not take any shit from anyone, however that’s nonetheless a piece in progress.

Music can brighten even our darkest days, and we certainly want artists to carry gentle into the world. Now, greater than ever. So, thanks to everybody who’s right here tonight, for exhibiting up, and celebrating all of the Grammy nominees. You’re serving to us take the primary steps in constructing again our stunning metropolis, and I’m so proud to be a part of this glorious neighborhood.

Thanks.

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