BEVERLY HILLS (CelebrityAccess) – Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), will be honored with the prestigious 2025 GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons award at the 50th anniversary of the Pre-GRAMMY Gala. The event, hosted by legendary music executive Clive Davis, will take place on February 1, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, as announced by the Recording Academy on December 18.
Gerson made history as the first woman to lead a global music company and a major music publisher. Since joining UMPG in 2015, she has expanded the company’s reach, overseeing 48 offices in 40 countries with a staff of more than 850.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, praised Gerson’s leadership, saying, “Jody is an inspirational leader who champions integrity and inclusivity in everything she does and is a revolutionary executive. She has opened doors for and propelled the careers of many of the world’s greatest songwriters while simultaneously serving as one of the biggest advocates for women in music.”
Under Gerson’s guidance, UMPG represents top-tier artists, including Adele, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Drake, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. She has also played a pivotal role in acquiring iconic music catalogs from legends like Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, and Sting.
Beyond her professional success, Gerson is a driving force for diversity and inclusion in the music industry. She co-founded the global nonprofit *She Is The Music* to support women in music and serves on boards for organizations like the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Music Publishers Association.
Clive Davis expressed his admiration for Gerson, stating, “Jody Gerson is one of the music industry’s most illustrious leaders, and I am thrilled that she will be this year’s Salute to Industry Icons honoree. Her trailblazing commitment to songwriters and her dedication to advocacy, diversity, and equality in the music business is exemplary.”
Gerson’s influence also extends into the film and television industry. She jointly oversees Polygram Entertainment, UMG’s film and television division, and has served as executive producer on documentaries in 2024, including Music Box: Yacht Rock, The Beach Boys, and STAX: Soulsville, USA.
The Pre-GRAMMY Gala, sponsored by Hilton, Mastercard, and IBM, will bring together some of the music industry’s most innovative and influential figures for a night celebrating Gerson’s lasting impact and the gala’s 50-year legacy.
