Jesse Willoughby and Stephanie Cox have been promoted to new roles at Kobalt.
Cox has become GM of Kobalt’s Nashville office, while Willoughby will take on the role of SVP of Business Development.
Cox replaces Willoughby in the GM role, and both will be based in Nashville.
In his new position, Willoughby will be responsible for the strategic growth of Kobalt’s catalog via acquisitions, partnerships and high-value direct signings across all genres and markets.
As GM of Kobalt Nashville, a position he’s held since 2016, Willoughby led the development and operation of Kobalt’s Nashville business.
Under Willougby’s leadership, Kobalt’s Nashville footprint experienced “incredible growth”, says the company, securing deals and partnerships with Dierks Bentley, SMACK Songs, Little Louder Music (founded by Eric Church and Arturo Buenahora), Young Guns, Ben Simonetti, Gordie Sampson and Tommy Lee James, Michael Hardy (HARDY) thru Relative Music and BOOM Music (with Keith Urban and Ross Copperman), and more.
Additionally, Willoughby secured deals with artists such as Patrick Droney, Petey Martin, Jillian Jacqueline, Devon Gilfillian and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
Jesse Willoughby joined Kobalt in 2014 as Director of Business Development for KNR out of its LA office and grew the business “significantly” over the next two years, according to Kobalt.
Signings including Calvin Harris, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Shakira, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lukas Graham, A$AP Rocky and more.
After relocating to the Nashville office in 2015, Willoughby transitioned into the GM role of Kobalt Nashville in 2016, overseeing the day to day operations and management of Kobalt’s Nashville business.
“Jesse has been instrumental in establishing Kobalt as a top publisher.”
Jeannette Perez, Kobalt
Jeannette Perez, Chief Experience Officer at Kobalt, said: “Jesse has been instrumental in establishing Kobalt as a top publisher in the Nashville community.
“We are excited for him to take on this new role where he will undoubtedly use his expertise and relationships to continue to drive Kobalt’s roster on a global level.”
“It’s been an honor to head the Nashville office for the last 5 years.”
Jesse Willoughy
Jesse Willoughy added: “It’s been an honor to head the Nashville office for the last 5 years, I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve during that time.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity to further Kobalt’s growth and impact on a global scale.”
Cox, meanwhile, will oversee and manage Kobalt’s Nashville creative team and the office’s daily operations.
Previously, Cox was SVP, Creative, where she helped build the company’s presence and roster in Nashville.
Most recently, she was instrumental in the signing and development of Michael Hardy (HARDY), who has had multiple #1’s as a writer and has found success as a recording artist for Big Loud Records.
Cox started her career at Little Big Town Music, where she helped develop songwriters and identify career-defining songs for artists.
She then joined Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment, where she was “instrumental” in establishing the career of Grammy award-winning Mark D. Sanders, says Kobalt.
She later ran the creative team at MCA Music, helping them to win ASCAP’s Publisher of the Year award.
After, Cox formed Larga Vista Music, where she achieved success with multiple #1 records from George Strait, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, and The Band Perry.
She also fostered a long-lasting relationship with eight-time Grammy-nominee writer/artist Brandy Clark.
“Stephanie has been a key player in the growth and success of Kobalt Nashville.”
Jeannette Perez, Kobalt
Jeannette Perez, Chief Experience Officer of Kobalt said: “Since joining Kobalt in 2011, Stephanie has been a key player in the growth and success of Kobalt Nashville. Stephanie is known in the community to be a creative force. We’re confident her leadership will be critical in the further growth of Kobalt Nashville for our team, songwriters and partners.”
““I am thrilled to continue my career with one of the most innovative and progressive publishers in the world.”
Stephanie Cox
“I am thrilled to continue my career with one of the most innovative and progressive publishers in the world.”
“Getting to work with our amazing global creative staff and lead our Nashville office is an amazing opportunity and I am excited for the future.”Music Business Worldwide
