MUMBAI: Savannah Music Group Chairman Jeff Cohen today announced that Ed Salamon will join Savannah Music Group (SMG) as chief executive officer on October 1.
"Ed is one of the most dynamic and well-connected people in the music industry," says Cohen in making the appointment. "He has a great track record in the entertainment industry and with start ups, and we are pleased to have him lead Savannah Music Group."
"Savannah Music Group is incubating writers and artists who are producing music that should resonate strongly with radio listeners," says Salamon. "I am excited about bringing my business talents to help this venture fulfill its potential."
Salamon approached SMG President Dave Gibson after Savannah took the unprecedented step among music publishing companies and record labels of opposing mandatory Performance Rights fee legislation. Since both believe that proposed legislation could reduce the amount of music played on radio and be especially damaging to small independent companies like SMG, the veteran broadcast executive offered his help. Having known Salamon from his days as namesake of the Gibson-Miller Band and pleased to find a like-minded executive with a broad background in the music industry, Gibson introduced Salamon to Cohen.
"It is rare to find an executive that combines Ed's entertainment and business acumen," says Gibson. "He brings an encompassing perspective and a sense of history."
Salamon is former President-Programming of Westwood One Radio Network and a co-founder and partner with Dick Clark in the United Stations Radio Network. Most recently he served as Executive Director for Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., the non-profit organization that presents the Country Radio Seminar (CRS).
Savannah Music Group is a music publishing company and independent record label founded two years ago by Cohen, Gibson and Daisy Dern. It is located near the heart of Nashville's Music Row. SMG incorporates Savannah Records, Hoppertunity Music (ASCAP) and Savannah's House Music (BMI). Cohen is an entrepreneur whose other companies include Halt Medical and Voyage-Air Guitar.