Motown Records announced today that music marketing executive, JD Anderson, has been appointed Senior Vice President of Marketing and Digital Strategy, effective immediately. In this role, Anderson will work across Motown’s roster to create impactful marketing campaigns for both established and emerging artists. Anderson will report to Motown EVP, and EVP, Marketing, Brian Nolan.
In making this announcement Ethiopia Habtemariam, Chairwoman and CEO of Motown said, “JD’s talent, experience and knowledge along with his competitive spirit and dedication will only enhance and expand our ability to support our artist’s vision. He is playing a key role in our organization � leading our digital strategy � and I’m excited to welcome him to our team.”
Nolan said, “The depth of JD’s experience in the industry and across marketing and digital landscape provides a unique skill set that will benefit our artists in helping them continue to communicate their vision and music to their fans. I’m excited to have JD join the Motown family and know that his passion and enthusiasm will only further our presence around the world.”
Anderson said, “I’m honored to be at Motown under Ethiopia and Brian’s leadership. Throughout my career, I’ve worked to champion and break new artists. It’s always exciting to find those diamonds in the rough and help to turn them into global superstars so I’m excited to join this incredible marketing team whose done, and continues to do, just that.”
Prior to Motown, Anderson was SVP, Marketing at Epic Records. Throughout eight years at the label, he notably directed Future’s documentary I’m Just Being Honest, placed Future’s face on a stamp, and catalyzing his biggest album High Off Life with skywriting in New York and Los Angele as well as ran point on historic drops, including the release of seven music videos in one day for DJ Khaled.
Before joining Epic, Anderson spent five years at Def Jam Recordings where he was hired after directing an influential music video for The-Dream’s “Panties To The Side,” which generated 1 million views within 24 hours. Over the next five years at Def Jam, he traveled across Europe shooting artists such as Kanye West in addition to spearheading online marketing on blockbuster records for Rick Ross among many others.
Born in Jamaica, Anderson moved to The Bronx at four years old, growing up on R&B and rap in equal measure. Obsessed with music, he religiously bought magazines such as Word Up and cut out the posters and pictures to sell at school. He graduated from Rutgers University with a major in African Studies and a minor in Psychology.