Courtni Asbury has been promoted to vice president of media and artist relations at Def Jam Recordings, the company announced Monday (July 10).
A major player on the Los Angeles publicity scene, Asbury has served a decade-long tenure at Def Jam's parent company, Universal Music Group, where she led the development of stars like Big Sean, Vince Staples, Jhené Aiko and others. In her new role based in Santa Monica, Calif., Asbury will work with the company's executive team to design and implement artist media campaigns, reporting to Gabe Tesoriero, executive vice president of media and artist relations at Def Jam.
She'll also continue to manage all media activities for Def Jam's artist roster and label family, with exclusive oversight of the record company's West Coast strategies.
Asbury got her start in 2006 after graduating Fordham University as the publicity coordinator for New York-based Island Def Jam Music Group. After relocating to Los Angeles for a stint in the music department at entertainment firm ID Public Relations, Asbury returned to Def Jam in 2012 to serve as director of media and artist relations, rising up the ranks to senior director three years later. She's also a former participant of the young professional-focused Universal Music Leadership Development Program.
"Courtni is one of the brightest, most energetic people I know,” Tesoriero says of the promotion. “Over our many years working together, Courtni has shown through her tenacity, positivity, tireless energy and relentless drive that she is a leading young executive in our industry. She shows up and proves it every day and our artists love her for it; it’s extremely rare to see the fierce loyalty and admiration Courtni inspires in both artists and colleagues."
