Def Jam Bolsters Media & Artist Relations Team With 3 Key Appointments
Def Jam Recordings has shaken up up its media and artist relations team with several new appointments.
Def Jam Recordings has shaken up its media and artist relations team with three new appointments.
Today (Sept. 23), the iconic hip-hop label announced that it has named industry veteran Lauren Ceradini as senior vp, media and artist relations, while Renata Muniz has been promoted to vp and Joanne Hunter has been named senior director.
Ceradini joins Def Jam from the D.C.-based strategic advisory firm Smith & Company, where she represented various artists. In her new role, Ceradini will oversee Def Jam’s publicity activities on the West Coast and develop strategy and execute campaigns for both major stars (Big Sean, YG, Logic, 2 Chainz) and emerging artists on the label’s roster. Ceradini began her career in 2005 at Rogers & Cowan before moving to Epic Records, where she rose to become head of PR and worked closely with artists including Sade, the Michael Jackson estate and Fifth Harmony. She also served as vp of publicity at Capitol Records.
“Lauren is a dynamic, creative, absolute superstar executive and someone whose work I have always deeply admired,” said Def Jam executive vp, media and artist relations Gabe Tesoriero in a statement. “Her skill set is unmatched, her relationships are impeccable, her experience and leadership are invaluable, and her addition to our team has immediately made its impact felt. Lauren takes us to another level, period.”
“It’s an honor to take the next step in my career at an iconic label like Def Jam,” added Ceradini. “Gabe is truly a force in this business, and with so much exciting progress on the horizon for the label, and our roster of marquee stars and exciting emerging artists, I look forward to working with him, Jeff Harleston, Rich Isaacson and the entire team.”
Muniz joined the Def Jam publicity department in 2012 and has served in the role of senior director since 2018. Prior to that, she worked at Republic Records, Epic Records and 42 West. In her time at Def Jam, she has overseen PR for Alessia Cara and worked closely with Jhene Aiko, Teyana Taylor and emerging artists including Kaash Paige, Danileigh and Saint Bodhi.
Says Tesoriero of Muniz, “Having worked alongside Renata for almost a decade, she has grown to be very much like family to me. Nothing in my professional career has made me prouder than to watch Renata’s growth into the kinetic, charming, wickedly funny, hyper-talented powerhouse of an executive she has become. Her promotion to VP is beyond well-deserved, and I’m excited to continue this journey with her. In Renata’s words: ‘You absolutely LOVE to see it!’”
“A little less than a decade ago, Gabe gave this Jersey girl my first real chance to work at this iconic label and has proven to be an invaluable confidant, mentor and supporter,” added Muniz. “I am proud to work with him and our amazing team. I’m excited to continue breaking artists and contributing to the success of this culturally important label.”
Hunter’s appointment marks a return to Def Jam for the young executive, who started her music career at the label in 2012. She left in 2016 to take a job in publicity at Capitol Records, where she worked her way up to director. At Def Jam she is currently working closely with YG, Big Sean and emerging rapper Bino Rideaux.
“Joanne’s return basically completes me,” said Tesoriero. “She is the kind of human and teammate who is so good, who you root for so hard, when she had an opportunity to build a life in LA, and to work with my dear friend Ambrosia Healy at Capitol, I practically pushed her out the door. Now she’s back home with us, with a great opportunity to move forward in her career, and I know Ambrosia feels the same…Joanne’s just that type of person!”
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