Jon Vanhala Appointed Senior Vice President, Digital & New Business Development, Island Def Jam Music Group

NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Jon Vanhala has been appointed Senior Vice President, Digital & New Business Development, Island Def Jam Music Group, it was announced today by Steve Bartels, President & COO, Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ).  In this newly created position, Mr. Vanhala will oversee all digital strategy, e-commerce, digital marketing, and new business initiatives.  Mr. Vanhala, who is based in New York, will report directly to Mr. Bartels.

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"The expanding field of digital marketing has long been a prime area of focus at IDJ," said Mr. Bartels.  "During that time, Jon has become a seasoned executive at the forefront of new technologies, the ever-widening reach of the Internet, and the growing impact of e-commerce.  Jon's addition to the IDJ senior management team comes at an exciting time for the company, which is enjoying all-time record-breaking sales and chart achievements in 2010."

"I am thrilled to join the great team at Island Def Jam," said Mr. Vanhala, "and to represent the incredible artist roster that L.A. Reid has assembled.  This is an exciting time filled with opportunity for our industry and I look forward to creating strategic partnerships that drive revenue and maximize opportunity for our artists and labels."

Mr. Vanhala led his own consultancy firm since 2007, providing marketing, partnership, business development, and brand integration services for digital entertainment, media, and technology companies.  During that time in 2008 and 2009, he worked for Festival Network LLC (FN)  in New York, as Senior Vice President of Digital Initiatives, Content Development & Sponsorship.  FN was a producer and aggregator of music festivals around the world, and Jon executive produced more than 80 live music festival performances, created the digital strategy from scratch, and drove sponsor activation programs.

Prior to 2007, Mr. Vanhala spent 13 years at Universal Music Group (UMG), most recently as Vice President and Senior Vice President, Digital & Strategic Marketing, Verve Music Group, since 2000.  He began his career at UMG in 1994, as a Sales Department intern and as executive assistant to the General Manager/President.  In 1997, he was promoted to Marketing Product Manager/Marketing Administration Manager.  In 1998, he was named Label Sales Executive Of The Year at UMG.  He also shared in Verve Music Group's Record Label Of the Year awards from NARM in 2005 and 2006.

A former working musician, song writer, and bandleader with extensive credits, Mr. Vanhala attended Columbia College in Chicago, and Millikin University in Decatur, Ill.  He served on the Advisory Board of the IAJE (International Association For Jazz Education) from 1997 to 2006.

SOURCE Island Def Jam Music Group