How She Does It BONUS: Jody Gerson: Making Music (And Profits) With the CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group
Music is ever-present in our lives, from our morning exercise routines until bed. And we all have a "life soundtrack” of songs that transport us to a moment or an era — one note, and you're right back there. Music is also a multi-billion-dollar business. But who runs this business? Despite so many of the biggest performers being women, the industry itself has long suffered from a lack of women and diversity — not only on the talent side but also on the executive side.
One of the most powerful, longstanding players in this business is Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group. She’s the first woman ever to hold the position at a major music publisher, and since joining UPMG in 2015, she’s transformed the company, which has now surpassed $2 billion dollars in revenue.
At the beginning of 2026, she was named “Executive of the Decade” by Billboard Magazine, so we thought it was a perfect time to revisit this powerful conversation between Karen and Jody from season 1.
💬 In this episode:
- Jody Gerson shares how she can tell what will become a hit song
- After signing artists like Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys, Jody shares what she believes, in addition to talent, is necessary to make an artist a star
- The pivotal event that helped her find her confidence and ask for a bigger role at work, and what she did when she didn’t get it
- How growing up in a household where the family’s financial situation changed drastically when she was in college impacted her outlook on work and wealth
- What she’s doing to make the music industry more welcoming and diverse behind the scenes
🔗 Resources & Links:
👩💼 Learn more about Universal Music Publishing Group at umusicpub.com
📖Read Billboard Magazine's Executive of the Decade article
📲 Follow How She Does It on Instagram: @hsdipodcast
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