There’s been a significant change in Sony Music‘s International Marketing team: Melissa Thomas is promoted to EVP, International Marketing for the major’s US Repertoire, as Monica Cornia leaves the department to join Sony Music’s Commercial Music Group as SVP of Sales.
Thomas is promoted from her prior role as SVP, International Marketing for Sony Music’s US Repertoire. To date she has spearheaded global marketing campaigns for US-signed artists including Lil Nas X, Camila Cabello, Harry Styles, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, AC/DC and breakout artists like The Kid Laroi, Rosalía and Giveon.
Her teams have worked on campaigns including Lil Nas X’s MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) which was recently No. 1 on global streaming charts for 40 consecutive days.
“Melissa knows how to harness the global power of our company to help break our US artists around the world.”
Rob Stringer, Sony Music
Stringer said, “Melissa knows how to harness the global power of our company to help break our US artists around the world. Her teams, in conjunction with our US record labels, have created unique marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences and push our artists to success.
“I’m so happy that Melissa will be leading our US repertoire’s international marketing team for the future.”
Thomas commented, “Music has no borders anymore. Our audiences are global from the beginning and hits can break from anywhere.
“I love bringing our US artists to as many audiences as we can around the globe and I’m looking forward to the entire team continuing our unique marketing campaigns to shine a light on the creative talent coming from Sony Music.”
Thomas began her career with SME at Sony Music UK in 2005 where she worked in international marketing for eight years, working on global marketing campaigns for UK artists like Oasis, Sade, Mark Ronson and Little Mix.
“Our audiences are global from the beginning and hits can break from anywhere.”
Melissa Thomas, Sony Music
In her career with SME, Thomas has also managed global teams and marketing campaigns for A$AP Rocky, Beyoncé, D’Angelo, Future, J. Cole, Zara Larsson, Miguel, French Montana and 21 Savage.
Prior to joining the Company in 2005, Thomas worked at Universal Motown Records in New York City and then Universal Music Canada.
Meanwhile, Sony Music has named Monica Cornia as Senior Vice President of Sales, Commercial Music Group.
The role will see Cornia oversee all US sales strategies for the Company’s extensive catalog of iconic and contemporary artists, and leave behind her position as Sony Music’s co-head of International Marketing for US repertoire.
In making the announcement, Darren Stupak, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Sales, SME said, “From the very start of Monica’s career at Sony Music, she has always embodied our artist-first approach, showing fantastic insight, expertise and a strong track record in bringing our US artists to new audiences. I am excited to see how Monica will lead our sales team through our Commercial Music Group.”
Cornia said, “I’m extremely proud and fortunate to work for a company that supports its employees exploring new areas of focus during their careers.
“I look forward to stretching my expertise into our sales and catalog businesses. I also can’t wait to develop new and innovative campaigns with our group, and help to further expand the fanbase of Sony Music’s amazing artists.”
“I’m extremely proud and fortunate to work for a company that supports its employees exploring new areas of focus during their careers.”
Monica Cornia, Sony Music
Cornia takes on the new role after three years serving as co-head of the International Marketing department for US repertoire, where she developed SME’s new and established US-signed artists across global markets.
She spearheaded marketing campaigns for artists including Foo Fighters, Alicia Keys, Khalid, Tate McRae, P!NK, and many more. With Doja Cat, Cornia helped drive her single Say So to chart peaks in multiple international markets.
Prior to co-leading International Marketing for SME’s US repertoire, Cornia was Vice President of International Marketing for RCA Records from 2014 to 2018, playing a key role in the global strategic development of established and new talent across RCA. Before that role, she managed Kesha at Vector Management.
Cornia began her music industry career at Sanctuary Group, where she worked for two years before joining RCA Music Group’s International Department in 2005.
Music Business Worldwide
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