DJ Mormile and Jeff Burroughs have joined Def Jam Recordings' senior executive team, the company announced Wednesday (April 23).
Mormile, the veteran manager who reps such artists as Mike Will Made-It, YG and Soulja Boy, will serve as the company’s executive vp, West Coast. In his new role, he will work out of the company’s Santa Monica office and report directly to Def Jam Chairman and CEO Paul Rosenberg. Additionally, Mormile will sign and develop talent exclusively for Def Jam Recordings under his own label venture.
“DJ brings to Def Jam over twenty years of experience in the industry and a resumé that includes a long string of decorated accomplishments and accolades,” Rosenberg said in a statement. “We are very lucky to bring his sharp ear, experience and strong relationships into our fold.”
“It’s an honor to be reunited with Paul Rosenberg after beginning our careers together almost 20 years ago,” added Mormile, “Now here we are at Def Jam, the label with the strongest brand and legacy in Urban music. I am excited to be joining the renowned Def Jam team, and I look forward to developing artists with its talented staff.”
Mormile previously worked with Rosenberg at Interscope Records, where he came to lead the company’s Urban A&R department and, ultimately, its entire Urban Music Department during a 14-year tenure. He joins Def Jam from Columbia Records, where he served as senior vp A&R for three years.
Burroughs, meanwhile, will serve as Def Jam's senior vp marketing, where he will direct marketing activities out of the company’s New York City headquarters under Def Jam executive vp marketing & commerce Scott Greer and GM and executive vp Rich Isaacson.
“Jeff is the embodiment of the forward-thinking renaissance marketing executive,” said Rosenberg. “He has mastered the subtleties of high-profile brand leveraging and new product launches, experiencing an extraordinary level of success whose lessons can be brought to bear in today’s competitive music marketplace. I am confident that Jeff will play a transformative role in Def Jam’s future.”
“I’m excited to re-enter the major label system,” added Burroughs, “and proud to be joining Paul Rosenberg, Rich Isaacson, Scott Greer and the talented Def Jam executives at the undisputed home of hip-hop. I intend to make sure that I add value at a critical and opportune time in the history of this legendary label.”
Burroughs joins Def Jam from Rise Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based marketing, consulting and brand strategy firm that he founded. He previously worked as executive vp at Bad Boy Entertainment, senior vp at RCA Records and head of commercial at Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment, where he oversaw the launch of the ultra-premium X Headphone line as well as integrated marketing campaigns for The X-Factor with companies including Pepsi, GM and Sony Electronics.
