Island Def Jam Music Group Promotes Gabe Tesoriero to Senior Vice President, Media and Artist Relations

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) has expanded its media and artist relations team with the promotion of respected industry veteran Gabe Tesoriero to Senior Vice President, Media and Artist Relations, it was announced today by Laura Swanson, Executive Vice President, Media and Artist Relations, Island Def Jam Music Group.

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Based in New York, Mr. Tesoriero will lead Media, Publicity and Artist Relations initiatives for IDJMG's all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists including Kanye West, Rihanna, Nas, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, The-Dream, The Roots, Big Boi, Big Sean, Fabolous, Pusha-T and others. Mr. Tesoriero will work closely with the East Coast and West Coast staffs on behalf of the artists and executives of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and their affiliate labels. These duties include exposure on television, the Internet, and in print media. Most recently, Mr. Tesoriero has served as Vice President, Media and Artist Relations for IDJMG since 2008, having started at the company in 2005, as Senior Director, Media and Artist Relations.

"I first learned of Gabe's media skills," said Ms. Swanson, "when I began seeing all of the amazing press he was getting as an indie publicist for Kanye and so many others.  Long before either of us had arrived at IDJ, I knew I had to work with him. Not only is he an amazing media strategist, but I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have by my side for this wild ride. Working alongside Gabe has been a pleasure as well as an education that I know will continue for years to come."

"It has been an incredible honor and privilege to work alongside, and under the tutelage of, an executive like Laura Swanson," said Mr. Tesoriero. "Her passion, patience, humor and grace provides an excellent and much needed balance to my, shall we say, more idiosyncratic approach. With the dynamic leadership of Barry Weiss, Steve Bartels and the rest of the amazing IDJ team, I look forward to continued growth and success for this historic label and its unmatched roster of artists. I also look forward to a world at peace and a fair showing for the Boston Red Sox next season."

Prior to IDJ, Mr. Tesoriero served as Senior Account Executive with JLM Public Relations in New York, starting in 1998. His early client roster included VP Records, for whom he broke Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, and others. In 2002, he began handling publicity for Roc-A-Fella Records, for whom he has been representing Kanye West for the entirety of his career; he also represented Ol' Dirty Bastard, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, NORE, Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana and more. Other clients included Mark Ronson & Allido Records, Tuff Gong Records (Damien & Stephen Marley), Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound (Daz & Kurupt), The D.O.C. and many others. Mr. Tesoriero attended New York University, where he graduated in 1993 with the Bachelor of Arts degree in American Literature & Creative Writing.

SOURCE Island Def Jam Music Group