AWAL has today (November 13) announced the hire of Jennifer Kirell as VP, catalogue marketing.
Based in Kobalt’s New York office, Kirell will oversee AWAL’s catalogue marketing strategy and work closely with the global marketing, digital accounts, label management, and physical products teams. An official press release stated that Kirell’s focus “will include the full AWAL roster and cover all artists and labels with catalogue”.
Speaking about the appointment, AWAL CEO, Lonny Olinick said: “The AWAL business has been built from the ground up to serve the unique needs of the evolving marketplace while challenging the status quo. As we continue to grow, we are applying that philosophy to supporting our partner’s catalogs by investing in the expertise to evolve traditional catalog marketing. With the addition of Jennifer, we will build a contemporary, global approach to marketing artists’ full bodies of work at different moments throughout their entire career cycle. Her passion for storytelling, commitment to progressive marketing and understanding of fan behavior will be a tremendous asset to the AWAL team and our artists.”
Ron Cerrito, AWAL president, North America, added: “The addition of Jennifer’s global role is a key part of our strategy to grow long term artist careers and to build streaming consumption for catalogue artists. The size, age and diversity of our roster is perfectly matched to the listening habits of the current-day consumption audience. Jennifer is a seasoned executive and a trailblazer of ‘always-on’ marketing. Through her innovative strategy and approach, she is committed to growing artists’ fan bases across their complete career arc.”
Prior to joining AWAL, Kirell spent 11 years with Sony Music Entertainment, most recently at Legacy Recordings under the commercial music group where she led global marketing campaigns and audience development strategies for Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Backstreet Boys and Loretta Lynn.
Speaking about her new position, Jennifer Kirell said: “We’re at an exciting time when streaming has blurred the lines between traditional ‘frontline’ and ‘catalogue’ marketing tactics. I’m honored to join the team at AWAL as we serve our artists with a future-focused approach to catalog (re)discovery that combines dynamic storytelling with data-informed strategy and prioritizes building l asting connections with fans. I’m incredibly grateful to Lonny and Ron for the opportunity to join the AWAL family and our diverse universe of artists.”
In October, AWAL upped Nicki Shamel to the position of VP, digital sales & account management, North America.
Earlier in the week, country star RaeLynn inked a worldwide recording deal with Round Here Records and AWAL.
FOLLOW 
