Maria Egan, President and Head of Creative at Los Angeles-based music publisher PULSE Music Group will be leaving the company for “an opportunity that will be announced imminently”.
Widely respected music executive Ashley Calhoun (pictured centre), who was previously Vice President, A&R, PULSE Music Group, has been promoted to Senior Vice President/Head of Creative.
The news was announced today (June 8) by Scott Cutler (pictured left) and Josh Abraham (pictured right), co-CEOs of PULSE Music Group.
In January, Concord Music Publishing acquired Fujipacific Music’s stake in PULSE and is now the majority-owner of the company, with our sources suggesting that the acquisition was valued at well north of $100m.
In her new role, Calhoun will be responsible for leading PULSE’s A&R team and overseeing the creative strategy for PULSE’s roster, including Starrah, OZ, Ty Dolla $ign, YBN Cordae, YBN Nahmir, Kehlani, OG Parker, Tyler Johnson, Trevor Daniel, Chad Hugo, James Blake, Yebba, Bonnie McKee, El-P, and others.
Calhoun joined PULSE in 2015 as Senior Director of A&R and was promoted to Vice President in 2017. Prior to joining PULSE, Calhoun served as Creative Director at Rondor Music Publishing (a division of Universal Music Publishing Group).
During her first week at PULSE, Calhoun signed hit songwriter Starrah, who won ASCAP’s 2018 Pop Songwriter of the Year.
More recently, Calhoun’s signing OZ has reached the top of six different Songwriter and Producer charts simultaneously, including Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers.
Calhoun’s roster of songwriters have contributed to several of this year’s biggest charting songs, including the current No.2 single on the Billboard Hot 100, Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé’s Savage Remix (via Starrah, the song hit No.1 last week); Drake’s Toosie Slide (hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 via OZ); Travis Scott‘s Highest In the Room (No.1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 via OZ); Drake & Future’s Life Is Good (No.2 Hot 100 debut via OZ); PARTYNEXTDOOR ft. Drake’s Loyal (via OG Parker); Trevor Daniel’s Falling (via Trevor Daniel) and YBN Cordae ft. Anderson Paak’s RNP (via YBN Cordae).
Calhoun’s newest signing, Kehlani, just scored her biggest chart debut entering at No.1 on the Top R&B Albums chart with It Was Good Until It Wasn’t.
Calhoun has also served as a consultant on projects for RCA Records.
“Ashley has consistently proven that she is a remarkable A&R executive adept at curating globally impactful music.”
Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, PULSE
“Ashley has consistently proven that she is a remarkable A&R executive adept at curating globally impactful music,” said Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham.
“She has the ear for talent, an authentic connection to our songwriters, and the right instincts and industry relationships.
“PULSE was built by songwriters for the modern songwriter culture and, with Ashley at the helm of our creative team, we know that PULSE will continue to be a world class incubator for culturally relevant songs.
“We are thrilled to recognize all of Ashley’s achievements at PULSE with this well-deserved promotion.”
“PULSE provides a sanctuary for clients at all stages of their careers, from young songwriters to the biggest names in music.”
Ashley Calhoun
Ashley Calhoun added: “PULSE provides a sanctuary for clients at all stages of their careers, from young songwriters to the biggest names in music.
“Our young, driven and diverse A&R team is attracting the most cutting-edge, globally revered creators – I think the music community sees how determined we are to create career-defining moments for our writers and how successful PULSE has been at landing those big opportunities.
“I’m thankful to Scott and Josh for this promotion and look forward to more big things ahead as we continue building the best A&R team in the business.”
“I have enjoyed an amazing seven years at PULSE and I’m so proud of the world-class roster and team that we built.”
Maria Egan
Maria Egan said: “I have enjoyed an amazing seven years at PULSE and I’m so proud of the world-class roster and team that we built.
“I wish Ashley all the best for her new role – no one could be better to take the reins of the A&R team, and I will be cheering on the company for its continued success.
“We wish Maria all success in her new endeavor.”
Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, PULSE
Cutler and Abraham added: “Maria has made incredible contributions to PULSE during her time as President/Head of Creative – she has helped us to build an A&R team that is second to none and she leaves behind a legacy of hits, accolades, and empowered creative executives that has helped to shape the PULSE story.
“We wish Maria all success in her new endeavor.”Music Business Worldwide
