Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) chairman and CEO Jody Gerson has been named to Gap Inc.’s board of directors, Gap announced Monday (Sept. 15).
Gerson, who joined UMPG in 2015, is notable as the first female CEO of a major music publisher and the first woman to chair a global music company. She has signed artists including Adele, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Coldplay and led the acquisition of catalogs from music legends like Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Sting. She also serves on the boards of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Ancestry.com, Project Healthy Minds and the National Music Publishers Association. She’s a co-founder of the nonprofit She Is the Music.
“Jody is a cultural force in her own right,” said Richard Dickson, president/CEO of Gap Inc., in a statement. “Her insights into fashiontainment — our platform at the intersection of fashion, music and celebrity — are unmatched. At Gap Inc., we’ve always believed that style is a form of storytelling, and Jody’s ability to amplify voices and shape cultural moments will be invaluable as we continue redefining what it means to be an iconic, purpose-led house of brands.”
Added Mayo A. Shattuck III, chair of the board at Gap Inc.: “Jody’s ability to connect culture and commerce is exactly what makes her such a dynamic leader. Her vision and creativity will help us strengthen our brands’ resonance with the next generation of consumers.”
Said Gerson, “Gap Inc. has long been a cultural icon, bridging fashion, music, and identity. I’m honored to join Gap Inc.’s Board of Directors and excited to bring my perspective and experience in the creative industries to the table. Equally, I’m energized to support Richard Dickson’s vision and draw inspiration from Gap’s remarkable renaissance as a brand that’s become synonymous with the culture of music.”
Notably, Gap recently made waves with its “Better in Denim” commercial featuring Katseye, which garnered more than 400 million views and 8 billion impressions across platforms while becoming the No. 1 search on TikTok, according to a press release.
