Alison Finley appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at Motown Records

Motown Records has appointed veteran music executive Alison Finley as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

In this newly created role, Finley will oversee the day-to-day operations of the label and shared services with various teams across Motown’s parent company, Universal Music Group (UMG).

Finley will remain based in Los Angeles and report to Ethiopia Habtemariam, Chairman and CEO of Motown Records.

Prior to Motown, Finley served as Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at UMG, where she oversaw strategy and negotiations for the company, including for label ventures, recording agreement, label distribution, merchandise, vendors and brand partners, among other areas.

Finley spent much of her career representing artists and began her legal career in private practice in 1998.

She joined Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel LLP in 2000, rising to senior equity partner at the firm.

Finley has represented some of the world’s most prominent recording artists, music producers, songwriters and Fortune 500 companies, including Kanye West, Raekwon, Twista, No ID, 88 Keys and Red Bull Media House.

She has also served in several in-house counsel roles, including as legal counsel for Loud Records and as General Counsel of Ultra Records/Ultra Music Publishing.

Finley serves on the Board of Trustees of the TJ Martell Foundation.

“Alison has been a strong advocate for artists throughout her career.”

Ethiopia Habtemariam, motown

Habtemariam said: “Alison has been a strong advocate for artists throughout her career.

“I’ve worked with her for years and have always admired her forward-thinking and innovative approach to designing deals that set up artists and labels for success.

“I’m excited to welcome her as a key member of our leadership team and I look forward to working with her to continue to redefine Motown and find new ways to support our artists, partners and ever-growing catalogue on a global level.”

“I am deeply honored to join the Motown leadership team in overseeing one of the most iconic record labels in the world.”

Alison Finley

Finley added: “I want to thank Sir Lucian and Ethiopia for this tremendous opportunity. I am deeply honored to join the Motown leadership team in overseeing one of the most iconic record labels in the world.

“Motown represents much of the world’s greatest music and continues to give an authentic and dynamic platform for our artists, partners and creatives to be heard across the globe.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with and to be mentored by some of the greatest executives in the music business and I am especially thankful to Jeff Harleston and Michael Seltzer for their constant support of my career.”Music Business Worldwide