Backer is the new executive vice president/GM of V2 Records. He possesses an extensive background in the music industry that includes both record business and music publishing accomplishments. Backer's duties will include
overseeing the company on a day to day basis with specific responsibilities for marketing, promotion, sales and publicity.
"As an executive," says Backer, "I was drawn to V2 because of the company's outstanding roster of artists and their cutting edge approach to signing and developing these artists. Those qualities, coupled with the opportunity to work with a staff of incredibly hard-working, bright and passionate music people, made this decision a very easy one. And most of all, I'm very fortunate to be able to work for Andy Gershon, who everyone in the music business knows is the consummate forward-thinking artist development executive. His direction for the future of this company is very clear and determined and I'm thrilled to be able to help him execute that vision."
V2 President Andy Gershon says, "I have had the pleasure of working with Steve on various projects and artists over the years, and when I embarked on restructuring V2 for the future, Steve became the obvious choice and perfect fit for the label. We share the same vision and commitment for V2 and its artists. I look forward to a long, successful run in what we find to be opportunistic times."
Backer was previously executive vice president, West Coast for EMI Music Publishing, where he ran the ran the West Coast office and oversaw the creative department. During his four-and-a-half year tenure, Backer oversaw the signings of Blink 182, At The Drive-In, Slipknot, The Living End, New Radicals and Default to name just a few.
Prior to this he was general manager of Giant Records, Irving Azoff's joint venture with Warner Brothers Records. During his tenure at Giant, Backer oversaw all aspects of the company as well as orchestrating the label's most successful marketing campaigns, including the 4 million selling "Common Threads: Songs of The Eagles,"the multi-platinum soundtrack "Dazed and Confused" and Big Head Todd And The Monsters' million selling debut album.
Backer launched his career at the then CBS Records (now Sony Music) in college promotion and quickly rose through the ranks where he served in various capacities in video and pop promotion and became Epic Records' first vice president of Alternative Music, where he was a key architect in the campaigns on behalf of Living Colour, Social Distortion, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, and the "Singles" soundtrack.
Backer will divide his time between V2's New York headquarters and its Beverly Hills office.
